MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	36 trail reviews
Status: Wet / Sketchy updated 1/8/12 by mikeshoe101	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 5 miles	Global Rank: #559
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 139	Wishlist: 72
Avg. Speed: 6.3 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 4min
Elevation Gain/Loss: +368/-355 ft
1 trail check-ins

 

Wild Turkey in Greensboro

 

Overmountain Victory Trail (Kerr Scott Reservoir) in Wilkesboro

 

Tsali Left Loop in Bryson City

 

USNWC in Charlotte

 

  
reviewed by Davemtbkayak on January 17, 2012

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

  
reviewed by mikeshoe101 on December 24, 2011

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.

  
reviewed by veloroadpig on November 27, 2011

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

  
reviewed by radams89 on September 28, 2011

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.

  
reviewed by rmca on August 1, 2011

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

  
reviewed by xvan on April 20, 2011

My favorite trail of the season so far. Well worth the 3 dollars.

  
reviewed by kthouse on April 16, 2011

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.

  
reviewed by Mr.Mowse on March 10, 2011

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

  
reviewed by JMatty on June 12, 2010

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!

  
reviewed by MSTARR84 on June 8, 2010

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.

  
reviewed by lfersantos on September 7, 2009

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

  
reviewed by bettsandbozo on September 5, 2009

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.

  
reviewed by jacqueline on July 4, 2009

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!

  
reviewed by johnnyzoom on May 30, 2009

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.

  
reviewed by bobrjones on April 13, 2009

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

  
reviewed by JHJeffries5 on February 26, 2009

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.

  
reviewed by Ed_Hanlon on February 21, 2009

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.

  
reviewed by dave311fan on February 20, 2009

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.

  
reviewed by JeffKill on December 10, 2008

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.

  
reviewed by 2crank on December 2, 2008

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.

  
reviewed by carlosbike08 on June 29, 2008

Very demanding trail, climbs, thight zones, rooty sections. good sections for experts.

* Review edited 6/29/2008

  
reviewed by EZ-E on February 1, 2008

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)

  
reviewed by Reserverockhopper on December 29, 2007

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.

  
reviewed by videl_majin_cold45 on October 30, 2007

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

  
reviewed by EZ-E on May 2, 2007

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.

  
reviewed by RaginCajun on January 31, 2007

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: ?

  
reviewed by lukeheller on October 27, 2006

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.

  
reviewed by cmpowell on September 26, 2006

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.

  
reviewed by wmitro on September 11, 2006

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.

  
reviewed by EZ-E on August 16, 2006

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.

  
reviewed by KingKona on November 26, 2005

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.

  
reviewed by Ryan5505 on November 1, 2005

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

  
reviewed by mtbiker126 on September 19, 2005

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.

  
reviewed by mtbiker126 on September 19, 2005

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.

  
reviewed by Marcus_Hesse on September 13, 2005

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.

  
reviewed by astroman on April 7, 2005

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.

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