Trail is
Avg Rating:   |
55 trail reviews |
Difficulty:  - Intermediate |
|
| Length: 5 miles | Global Rank: #452 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 145 | Wishlist: 72 |
| 9 trail check-ins |
Climb // Descend +400 // -400 feet |
| Average Speed: 6.3 mph | Average Time: 1hr 7min |
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Description
Trails are closed, property has been sold.
These trails are awesome! Bikers of all skills will agree there is something for everyone here. Beginning in the parking lot there are lots of bumps and jumps to warm up on. Follow the red arrows and signs. The options are well marked and are cleverly named. With names like Round Rock, Gravity Cavity, Fern Valley, and Rock Dam, you'll be entertained as you ride through the exciting terrain. You'll have a blast on these trails!
eastwood on September 18, 2012
Wild Turkey (89%)
Fisher Farm Park (78%)
Itusi @ Lake Norman State Park (78%)
Sherman Branch Park Mtb Trail (56%)
To view directions to Beech Spring Mountain Bike Park (Poplar Tent Road) mountain bike trail, please login. If you don't have an account, sign up for a free account - it only takes a minute.
Description
Trails are closed, property has been sold.
These trails are awesome! Bikers of all skills will agree there is something for everyone here. Beginning in the parking lot there are lots of bumps and jumps to warm up on. Follow the red arrows and signs. The options are well marked and are cleverly named. With names like Round Rock, Gravity Cavity, Fern Valley, and Rock Dam, you'll be entertained as you ride through the exciting terrain. You'll have a blast on these trails!
added by mudhunny 
on December 31, 2002
on December 31, 2002Trail Reviews [Add a review]
eastwood on September 18, 2012
0 out of 0 readers found this useful
Review: This trail is just amazing. I'm not sure how this hasn't been the most popular trail in the area!!?? I got out to ride here last week and will certainly be back again before the closure. Just a great trail with plenty of rooty rocky, structure filled goodness to be had while maintaining some sweet flow. Good speed and good grinds. If you haven't ridden it - get there before OCt 1st. If have you ridden here before, hit it up again!!
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Review: Sadly, this trail is CLOSING OCT 1, 2012 :( . The property is private property and is being sold. So get out and ride it if you can. Many of us learned to ride here and it is going to be a tremendous loss to the riding community in Charlotte. Being on private property allowed for true mountain biking in the rough. Not burdened by all the rules, regulations and whims trails are subject to on public lands. Sign the waiver, pay your three bucks and ride to hearts content.
* Review edited 8/30/2012
* Review edited 8/30/2012
Review: This is the first trail I had ever riden. It is by far my favorite. It has so man different courses throught out it. I have been able to grow there over the years. I did also hear a rumor that the trail was shutting down. I hope not. This trail is classic and very fun. they have been slowly but surely removing the roots over the years. But, if you are going to ride a mountain bike trail do you reall want a smooth trail? Thats the fun of it right? Otherwise you should just stick to a greenway and get a road bike.
Review: Me and my friend came out the other day with the bad winds three others where out crazy paths need to make better marking maps we want to see how to do devils drop who can do it
Review: Fun, technical (some great manmade features, few rock gardens, gravity cavity, drop offs, etc) challenging climbs and unfortunately some boring runs. Lets face it- gotta' love trails that are open 24/7 no matter the weather. These trails are not super fast as they lack some flow, but they are fun nonetheless. A few options are pretty boring- slow switchbacks for a few miles, but the overall ride is good here. Poplar Tent trails are what pushed me to touch up my technical skills. Good trails. Lots of fun. Well worth the $3 entry! * Review edited 1/17/2012* Review edited 1/17/2012
* Review edited 1/17/2012
Similar Trail: USNWC, Anne Springs, Sherman
* Review edited 1/17/2012
Similar Trail: USNWC, Anne Springs, Sherman
Review: Started mtb about a month ago. Have been going to this trail every weekend since. Rode it today and was not as fun as previous rides due to the gtounds still being wet. Lots of lil valleys that tend to hold water and make it difficult to pedal through (especially if not "clipped in") lots of woops and berms to keep the momentum going on the down hill sections. Beware the bridges if damp outside, its like hitting ice lol. Some great singletrack that weaves in and out of the main loop. If new, take your time, some of the trails get pretty tight between trees. Some great jump areas such as "gravity cavity" but not recommended for the absolute beginner. Picnik tables are placed throughout the trails if you wanted to take some lunch. The parking lot has some pretty cool lil jumps and berms to get warmed up on as well as some technical plank sections with skinnys and jump offs.
If i had to name one bad thing.. It would probably be the roots. Its not that it makes it hard, just messes up the momentum at times. Also, if it has been raining, i would recommend to wait atleast 48 hrs before hitting it.
Review: This trail has been a staple of mine over the years , but now the rumor is out that it may be closed due to development. This is a really special place that has bitten me in the ass a couple of times and claimed a couple of helmets but worth every minute, get a ride on while you can. As difficult as you want it to be, new riders take care. 3 dollar honor box. I would pay more to keep it open but oh well.* Review edited 11/27/2011* Review edited 11/27/2011* Review edited 11/27/2011
* Review edited 11/27/2011
Similar Trail: USNWC, but more technical
* Review edited 11/27/2011
Similar Trail: USNWC, but more technical
Review: What? There's nothing fast or flowing about this trail. It's like riding a horse trail. Only a couple of sections get a bit fast..the rest is roots, roots, roots.. The side trails make no sense at all.
Review: This is hands down the best trail in Charlotte. Some of the options are very technical and extremely fun. It's well worth the $3 fee.
Similar Trail: Fisher Farm
Similar Trail: Fisher Farm
Review: My favorite trail of the season so far. Well worth the 3 dollars.
Review: I've been riding for over twenty years all over the East Coast and I have never come across a trail as fun and challenging as Beech Spring. It truly has something for everyone. It is well-marked, well-maintained, and well worth the $3 fee.
Similar Trail: Nothing comparable that I've been on.
Similar Trail: Nothing comparable that I've been on.
Review: Great trail, river crossings, some sick drops and banks and some great options. This trail is one of the more fun trail i have ever been on, its kind of a tough one but worth the 3 bucks.
Similar Trail: N/a
Similar Trail: N/a
Review: These trails had great flow and a bit of something for everyone. Lots of optional trails and man made obsticles. Climbs are a good challenge and some of downhill sections are fast. This trail is a must visit in the Charlotte area!
Review: Anybody who tells you this is a beginner to intermediate trail is either especially skilled or avoided all the options. Some sick drops, two extremely steep, rooty hills, a technical board area at the beginning and some classic single track. Have never gone without crashing at least twice. You can spend a couple hours here and have a blast but as some other posters said its more of a MTB amusement park than a trail. Great fun but be smart out there.
Review: OUSTANDING! One of the best trails in the area, entertaining and thrilling from beging to end. Take each challenge at a time, the devils drop is no easy thing.
* Review edited 9/7/2009
Similar Trail: National Whitewater Center
* Review edited 9/7/2009
Similar Trail: National Whitewater Center
Review: We are very much newbies to trail riding. We have ridden a few other local trails and had a great time. We heard about Beech Spring Mountain Bike Park from a neighbor and decided to try it out. We found it much more challenging than other trails which probably is because of our inexperience. I would warn any true beginners to be prepared for a workout even on the shortest trail. With all this said, the park is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Very well maintained, laid out with the trails and the many optional trails well indentified. Thanks for such a great park!!
Similar Trail: National Whitewater Center.
Similar Trail: National Whitewater Center.
Review: We love this trail, but it's about 1:15 from the house, so we don't make it as much as we would like. Cost is $3 to ride - worth it. You can stay on the main trail or you can take any of the optional trails. It's got jumps and climbs, and lots of technical options to practice on if you'ld like. Highly recommended - it's great practice!
Review: trail is well laid out and marked. There are some fun drops and tight single track. Something for everyone. Great ride after work and don't miss the options.
Review: I really enjoyed this trail, it flows very well. Not a lot of climbing but still a great trail. Lots of technical options and jumps.
Similar Trail: Pee Wee's Mountain bike park
Similar Trail: Pee Wee's Mountain bike park
Review: This trail is awesome. I rode it the first time yesterday and if you have never ridden it get out there with some extra time. It took me a little while to get used to the flow of the track but it has been layed out very well. I found myself taking every optional trail and just when I thought it was all over another trail head popped up and I couldn't resist. Fast single tracks, fun optional trails, and great obstacles. I wasn't able to ride everything but I can't quit thinking about it. Can't wait to ride again.
Review: Did the trail yesterday with my brother from New England. He loved all the playgrounds and trick spots. Does not get them up there due to wimpy safety rules. I took a header on the gravity cavity and laughed all the way back. Really enjoyed myself and not as wet as I thought it would be. The luge run was the funnest.
Review: I am fairly close to this trail as well and I loved every minute of it! I am a newbie to this sport and this trail has everything a beginner needs to improve thier skills. I would recommend this trail to all levels.
Review: I live 10 minutes from this trail, so I pedal it quite a bit through the week. It consists of tight/root filled single track and flows really good. Nothing too technical if you're an experienced trail rider, but definitely alot of fun.
Review: AWESOME!!!! Very well planned, soooooo many options, there is some very technical stuff but for the most part great singletrack. One big loop with many, many optional trails. Well worth the $3. I made the mistake of going late in the day, did not have time to do many optional trails, plus it was still very muddy. That is one drawback, this place is somewhat in a "valley" or lowlands, so takes longer to dry out. Great fun, many parts can be done by most riders as long as they use common sense, very well marked. Plus, it is meant for only mtnbikers.
Similar Trail: It is somewhat similar to Northwood in High Point, only much better kept.
Similar Trail: It is somewhat similar to Northwood in High Point, only much better kept.
Review: Very demanding trail, climbs, thight zones, rooty sections. good sections for experts.
* Review edited 6/29/2008
* Review edited 6/29/2008
Review: Correction that the trail use fee is $3, on the honor system!
There has been some significant trailwork in Fall '07 by Trailblazers/Dirt Divas/PASA to get the trails back to their former glory.
Trail maintenance included: general trail surface clean-up, trimming branches back, taking out some roots which only affected speed in a few areas, addition of some technical features(including a new teeter), and filling/smoothing/proofing some eroded sections. There have also been some reconnects of trail sections where some of the trail was lost due to Forestry Service planting/reclamation.
Many long-time riders of Poplar Tent have given rave reviews since the Fall '07 upgrades...so if you haven't been in awhile, go check it out!
The trail users continue to thank the Andrews family for their long-standing support to local mountain biking by allowing riders on their land and their hands on support of safe trail-building efforts.
Similar Trail: Pee Wees MTB(Lincolnton, NC)
Similar Trail: Pee Wees MTB(Lincolnton, NC)
Review: This is designed as a MTB theme park and leans more to the advanced rider category because there are many tech 5 challenges that could put an intermediate rider in the hospital.
Lots of loops and options off the main trail so I didn't get to ride everything but what I did I loved and was challenged.
It cost $2 bucks to ride on the honor system. Cool hangout area at the trailhead to sit and relive your ride with your buddies.
Review: Beech Spring MTN Bike Park has a good system of trails to spend a good afternoon. The trails have some very nice technical obstacles to test your balance and skill. There are several rock garden sections that were very fun to ride through. The Gravity Cavity was my favorite part of the system. Drop down and pop out without pedaling, what a thrill. There was some erosion problems that seemed to slow the singletrack in several sections. I agree with E-ZE that a trail maintanance day should be scheduled. Overall it was a nice ride
Similar Trail: Pee Wee's Mountain Bike Park, Lincolnton NC
Similar Trail: Pee Wee's Mountain Bike Park, Lincolnton NC
Review: With significant erosion and lack of regular trail maintenance, Poplar Tent has really been on a downhill slide over the past two years. There are sticks, branches and fallen trees littering the trail everywhere. Lack of effort to manage high-erosion areas have resulted in the soil being washed away to expose the significant numbers of roots that are inescapable throughout the trail network. This erosion has also resulted in standing mud and downhill mud slicks even in very dry conditions with some sandy areas where all of the eroded silt has settled. This trail was awesome up until about 2005...then the maintenance just fell off and ironically, the daily trail use fee went up(from $2 up to $3/day). Some speculation was made that the increase was due to increased property taxes, but it doesn't cost anything to inquire to local volunteer organizations such as the Tarheel Trailblazers/Dirt Divas to get some help out there.
The technical obstacles are still out there, so if you're looking to move from one technical section to another within the network stopping to session for awhile at each - then this trail is still good for that. But, if you are riding XC and are looking for a loop format to keep moving while mixing in some technical obstacles and not getting beat up by rooty climbs for a couple hours, I would check out a trail like the new Sherman Branch about 10-12 miles to the SE of Poplar Tent.
Review: If you are going for cardio, then this is probably not the place to be. But if you are in for an adrenaline rush then this is the place. Great Drops, Some sweet freestyle. To be frank, I spent a good bit of time on my side, back and face. Next time I will try to stay on the bike a little more. All-in all a sweet ride. I want to rename this trail "Humble Mountain" or something like that. I definately had my tail tucked when I left
* Review edited 2/1/2007
Similar Trail: ?
* Review edited 2/1/2007
Similar Trail: ?
Review: I did not enjoy it much b/c it was too technical. I'm used to smooth, buttery trails. This trail is very challanging and technical. I seemed like it was a STUNT COURSE. I believe this originally was a dirt bike course.
Review: Wow, pretty intense trail. Tons of rocks and roots....side trails not for beginners. I'm going to hone my skills at Mecklenburg Park and Fisher before venturing back. Even the main trail has some hairy parts.
Review: This trail is amazing. There is a handful of trails off of the main trail. The single track trails are amazing. The high banks and jumps provide a nice long trek for some high speeds. Overall, a bit tough at some spots, but I love this course. I like about 20 mins away, so its a great retreat for for the weekend.
Review: Total ascent of the main perimeter trail(marked with blue dot & red arrow signs) is approximately 355ft per lap.
This figure does NOT include the additional ascent from any of the "offshoot" trails(these are identified only by a red arrow) that branch off and return to the main perimeter trail.
Examples of offshoot trails which are not included in the ascent total are: Devils Drop, Singletrack, Swamp, etc. Adding the ascent for these offshoot trails included in a lap would add a significant increase in total feet ascended.
Review: Trails in great shape and they offer something for everyone's taste with some of the optional trails. Definately one of the more challenging places to ride in the Charlotte area and allowing you to get a either a short ride or make it longer with the multiple optional trails.
Review: This trail is very technical. All the trails are clearly marked and clean. Lots of fast downhill and the killer gravity cavity was fun. There are lots of stunt jumps set up with drop offs at the end. It was a blast.
Similar Trail: Hobby Park
Similar Trail: Hobby Park
Review: awsome trail, its where i got into mtb. Jumps at the front and throughout the trail wiht muliple drop off if u want to try them. 80 ft hill called devils drop for a reason. Gravity Cavity is the best place to just screw around on ur bike. This trail gets u in shape while ur having fun.
Review: This is the trail i got into mtb on. Lots of roots but nice hills and some drop offs if u want them. Jumps throughout the trail but mainly at the front. I go to this trail almost everyday and i have tons of fun.
Review: Privately owned & maintained. Amazing trails, very well marked, very technical, fast in some areas, climbs, uphills, small downhills, really fun & great time. Trail is a 3.7 mile loop, and over 10 miles with all the optional trails. SOOO MUCH FUN. Gravity Cavity & Devils Drop are so cool. PAY $3 AND SIGN THE RELEASE FORM EVERY RIDE. Definitely worth an hour drive.
Review: Trail usage fee has gone up to $3, honor system at the trailhead.
The trails are packed into dense forest and for the 5 miles of main trail you are never more than 1/2 mile from your car! Alot to offer whether you are XC to Freeride. Plenty of decent size rocks and man-made obstacles incorporated into parts of the trails. There are many sections to challenge your skills: Devils Drop(50- 60ft @ 40 degrees - often muddy), Rock Dam, Gravity Cavity(try to keep your bike on the ground!), several nameless rock gardens right on the main trail. Trail holds water in certain places, definitely give it 24hrs after rainfall. Of all the options, "Singletrack" was the slowest due to many roots. Would recommend beginners take it easy and maybe buddy up on your first several runs. Many thanks to the land owners - appears the $ we spend goes back into the trail.
Similar Trail: Catawba, Itusi-Lake Norman, Col. Francis Beatty Park, Anne Springs, Fisher Farm, N. Mecklenburg Park, Rennaissance Park
Similar Trail: Catawba, Itusi-Lake Norman, Col. Francis Beatty Park, Anne Springs, Fisher Farm, N. Mecklenburg Park, Rennaissance Park
Review: I relly enjoyed riding the trails at Beech Springs. It has difficult parts and easier parts so anyone can enjoy riding here.
Review: Great trail, I would reccomend it for almost anyone.
Ive been going almost every weekend and you get a great thrill from the ride.
Review: Good times to be had here! Some rooty technical spots but brings a lot of jumps and places to walk out a little bloody. Must fill the void left with Catawba closed.
Review: One of my two favorite trails (the other is Catawba Riverfront). Fun tight trails w/ tons of optional trails. Including all the options, it's about 10 miles.
Review: AKA Beech Springs!!!!!!!!
Similar Trail: Renaissance...HWY 77 to Tyvola Road, west on Tyvola a couple of miles on right.
Similar Trail: Renaissance...HWY 77 to Tyvola Road, west on Tyvola a couple of miles on right.
Review: Good, even for beginners, but lots of roots and rocks. Lots of twists and turns, good technical moves. Gravity Cavity is FAST!
Review: Excellent, professional course, designed by ex-national motocrosser. cool BMX section up top, then nothing but great singletrack. Devils Drop and Gravity Cavity are screamers. The best bargain around for $2
Similar Trail: Catawba River
Similar Trail: Catawba River
Review: Awesome trail!! We rode it 3 times and still wanted more! Well worth traveling to and paying 2 bucks!
Review: Good, even for beginners, but lots of roots and rocks. Lots of twists and turns, good technical moves. Gravity Cavity is FAST!
Review: Good, even for beginners, but lots of roots and rocks. Lots of twists and turns, good technical moves. Gravity Cavity is FAST!
Review: Beech Springs has added some more loops making it closer to nine miles. Good riding, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy.
Review: Great trail. If you're looking for a quick workout, or are a beginner, do the main loop. If you want more technical, do the optional loops. A few good climbs here and there, and a couple of big drops. I've ridden this trail many times, and the Devil Drop scares me every time. It's not for beginners. Pay Mr. Andrews, the $2 is worth it.
Similar Trail: Catawba, Renassiance Park (near the coliseum)
Similar Trail: Catawba, Renassiance Park (near the coliseum)
Review: Trail offers plenty of technical sections and non-technical sections and is a great work out. Highlights include devils drop, gravity cavity, and more, always someone to ride with. Trail is privately owned, $2.00 ride fee, helmet is required.
Review: Boulders, Devils Drop, Gravity cavity, Jungle, Swamp, (loop names)Very well maintained by Mr. Andrews. Pay $2 wear helmet Great trail
Review: This trail is mostly single track, well marked, and has a good amount of roots. it is very well marked and the best loops are Devils Loop and Gravity. Elevation change is very mild... Length is 6 to 7 miles.. Dificulty is moderate.
Recommendations
USNWC (100%)Wild Turkey (89%)
Fisher Farm Park (78%)
Itusi @ Lake Norman State Park (78%)
Sherman Branch Park Mtb Trail (56%)
Tags
beech spring Charlotte,NC intermediate poplar tentNorth Carolina Outdoor Lists
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