Mountain Biking
Designated mountain biking trails in the Cherokee and Chattahoochee National Forests are in three main areas: 1) those surrounding the Whitewater Center described under Chestnut Mountain rides, 2) those in the Chilhowee Mountain area and, 3) those in the Iron Mountain area. Riding is also allowed on all forest service gravel roads if you're just in for exercise and single track isn't your passion.
Chestnut Mountain Ride Descriptions
Easy: Bear Paw Loop - This ride is suitable to those who possess beginner level skills of bike riding and are in good enough shape to sustain a .7 mile climb. It is approximately 2 miles, however it begins with a .7-mile moderate climb. After that it is all fun - almost all moderate, fun downhill back to the Whitewater Center.
Intermediate: Chestnut Mountain Loop - This ride is suitable for those who possess good riding skills and are in good enough shape to ride for 2 hours. It is approximately 8.6 miles. There are several moderate climbs, some rocky sections as well as water crossings. There are some fun downhill sections as well. You will ride Entrance Trail to Chestnut Mountain Loop, ride that loop and take Bear Paw Loop on the way back.
Intermediate+: Chestnut Mountain Loop with West Fork Loop - This ride is suitable for those who possess good riding skills and are in good enough shape to ride for 2 hours. It is approximately 11.5 miles. There are several moderate climbs, some rocky sections as well as water crossings. There are some fun downhill sections as well. You will ride Entrance Trail to Chestnut Mountain Loop, at the far end of the Chestnut Mountain Loop, ride the West Fork/FS45 loop, then return to the Chestnut Mountain loop and take Bear Paw Loop on the way back.
Top
Old Copper Trail Description
Easy: OLD COPPER TRAIL - From the Whitewater Center, proceed east on Old Copper Road (trail to the left before the walking bridge at the Whitewater Center). Continue along the north bank of the river up to Ocoee Dam #3. Return along the same trail. This trail is basically flat. For the most part, the trail is gentle and fast. However there are a few sections with roots and rocks that may concern the new to off road rider. These are easy to just walk through. There is one very short steep spot, but it is very short. Ride approximately 5 miles.
Top
Chilhowee Mountain Trail Descriptions
Azalea Trail - A great sampling of what this trail system has to offer. This ride is fun for beginners and experts alike, with fast narrow single track leading mostly downhill (if you start across the lower campground road). You can use this trail to connect up with the rest of the system or just as a short loop back to the campground area.
Arbutus Trail - A very short trail near the campground. Use it as a warm up or link it up with the other trails for a longer ride.
Red Leaf Trail - A short connector between the trails near the upper campground and Clemmer.
Benton Falls Trail - This wide track leads from the lake to the waterfall. Watch for hikers and be respectful!
Clemmer Trail - A classic screaming downhill or gut wrenching uphill (depending on which direction you ride it). Clemmer, like the Clear Creek Trail, has it all: several creek crossings, rhododendron tunnels, and surfaces ranging from sandy to rocky. The high end of the trail is at the beautiful Benton Falls (accessible from a short hiking trail).
Rimrock Trail - A connector between the middle of Clemmer and Clear Creek. This trail drops deep into the gorge and crosses the creek so be ready for a hike-a-bike section.
Rim Extension - A short technical (meaning rocky and rooty) side trail.
Clear Creek Trail - One of the most challenging trails in the system; be ready for some killer climbing (don't worry, the climbs are not too long), three extreme switchbacks, one of which is just barely, almost, not impossible to ride. No kidding, the second switchback on a downhill section will sneak up on you. Be very careful. Be equally careful on the middle of this trail where there is a fairly steep rock cliff area. WALK YOUR BIKE HERE! Then near the end, be ready for an extremely fast downhill with some wonderful whoops to fly off of. There are a couple of options at the end of this downhill depending on how wet you want to get. If you so choose you will have two refreshing big creek crossings before dumping out onto Highway 30 to get back to the lower parking lot and Clemmer trailhead. Or you can choose a dry route alongside the creek. Check the map.
Slickrock Trail Loops - An absolutely sweet new trail system recently developed by the dedicated workers of the National Forest Service, local bike clubs, and other volunteers. This is actually a small network of trails hooked together by a couple of old Forest Service Roads. You will find single track with climbing, twists and turns and some fun downhill with whoop-ti-doos. One section has been unofficially named the Naked Widow Loop. This stems from several sightings of an elderly woman bathing in the small creek at the middle of the branch. Legend has it she lived with her husband on the Benton side of the mountain when her husband died, whereupon she began to endlessly wander the trails. Keep an eye out for her and throw her an energy bar as you go by!
Top
Iron Mountain and Conasauga Trail System
Trail Description: In October, 1996, a joint project of the US Forest Service, Cohutta District, SORBA, the Cohutta Volunteers and CBC volunteers joined the Iron Mountain and Conasauga Trails into a single trail system. A new section of trail was built including a reinforced crossing of the Conasauga River. In warm weather when the river is not too high, you can cross the Conasauga River at Cottonwood Patch Camping Area, climb Iron Mtn and descend to the river, cross the Conasauga again, follow the Conasauga trail along the river until it comes to a parking area at Sheeds Creek, follow the forest service road back to the Jacks River, cross the bridge and return to Cottonwood Patch. There is a single track spur up the hill shortly after crossing the river to the Conasauga River trail. It can be ridden as an out and back or a loop with the forest service road from the top of the hill to the Sheeds Creek Parking Area. There are some great views along the ride and the fall color is great all along this trail.
When it is too cold to get wet (you will get wet crossing the Conasauga River in either place) or the river is just too high to cross, you can go right out of Cottonwood Patch onto the forest service road and take the forest service road to the right just after crossing the bridge to the east of the camping area. This will join the Iron Mountain trail. Ride the trail up the mountain. At the fork, go to the left back down a forest service road and back to your cars. You can continue down the road, cross the Jacks River on the steel bridge, turn left immediately past the bridge and continue to the Sheeds Creek Parking Area where you can do the Conasauga River Trail.
Location: Several miles west of Cisco, GA - about two hours north of Atlanta, GA, and one hour from Chattanooga, TN.
Highlights: The views along the ridgelines are great. Their trail along the Conasauga River is delightful. The creek crossings are deep and refreshing. The climbs are typical Cohutta--short but steep. The fall color is awesome throughout the trail.
Directions: To get to the trailhead from Chattanooga: From I-75 south, goes left at the second Ringgold exit (Hwy 41). Turn right onto GA 2. Follow GA-2 through Varnell, past Prater Mill, through Beaverdale to US-411. There are several turns. GA-2 crosses US 411 at Cisco. Continue on 2 beside a stone church - the road turns to gravel. Follow the road around toward the Jacks River bridge. Cottonwood Patch Camping Area is a good place to park.
This is a multi-use trail. Please respect the rights of other trail users and follow IMBA's rules of the trail. This area will be popular with local equestrian groups. Always yield the trail to other users.
Warning: There have been complaints about cars parked on the road just past the bridge at the winter entrance to the trail and about exposure while changing clothes after the ride. Please be considerate of the property owners.
Top
Many thanks to the Chattanooga Bicycle Club for their trail descriptions and maps. For more information about other trails in the Chattanooga area, tune in to www.chattbike.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
