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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	21 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 3/15/10 by Alex_Chakarji Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 13 miles	Global Rank: 60
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 129	Wishlist: 59
Avg. Speed: 8.03 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 3min
Elevation Gain/Loss: +474/-471 ft

 

North Meck Park in Huntersville

 

Dark Mountain Trail in Wilkesboro

 

South Shore Of Hickory in Hickory

 

Pee Wee's Mountain Bike Park in Lincolnton

 

  
reviewed by TheXcBiker on October 11, 2009

Uber fun. Its got everything hills, fast decents, and some pretty technical parts. When your done biking theres also alot of other fun things to do in the park like white water rafting, rockclimbing and mega ziplines.

Similar Trail: Dark Mountain, Wilkesboro

  
reviewed by Graylin_King on July 12, 2009

This is a great trail where you can get some burn and flow I think my favorite was the toilet bowl but really the whole trail is great. The texture of dirt is similair to Tsali so traction is great and the trail is super well maintained

Similar Trail: Hogs Run at Harris Lake

  
reviewed by marshbum on July 5, 2009

My wife and I started moutain biking this year and tried the new "green" trail. Very nice ride for beginners, trail very well marked, elevation changes are gradual so you can still get a workout without getting too technical. Only issue is I wish there was an updated map of this trail for reference. Great place ot spend the day and ride :)

Similar Trail: Sherman Branch

  
reviewed by Reserverockhopper on May 16, 2009

The Tarheel Trailblazers have done an outstanding job with the design of this trail system. 2 main sections, North & South trails. South Trails with 4 optional side trails will make you work but you get rewarded. The North trail section flows really well and reminds me of OVT in Wilkesboro. The trail has a surprising amount of topography with elevation changes and technical switchbacks on tight, steep climbs. In certain sections, if you didn't know where you were, you would think you were at Tsali or Dark Mountain, so the work out is good. Highly recommended!

Similar Trail: OVT.

  
reviewed by EZ-E on April 2, 2009

USNWC "AllSport Pass" program announced...for all of us who really enjoy the trails out at the USNWC. The USNWC has unveiled a new multi-sport inclusive program that makes it possible to access an entire package of the sports/equipment offered for one low price, activities included: Family Rafting, Adventure Rafting, Rodeo Rafting, Climbing, Climb 2 Zip, Mountain Bike Fleet Usage(Giant Trance & Yukon), Flatwater Kayaking - Self Guided, Flatwater Kayaking - Guided, Eco Caching, Mega Zipline Here's a link for the AllSport Pass daily/seasonal rates: http://www.usnwc.org/AllSport-Passes.html There is also a new beginner trail being constructed at the USNWC to add mileage and offer a 'green' trail option to allow new riders a chance to work up to some of the more challenging sections of the Catawba MTB trail at the USNWC.

Similar Trail: Sherman Branch, Itusi @ Lake Norman State Park

  
reviewed by carlosbike08 on May 10, 2008

This trail is to have a lot of fun, everything in one trail, climbs, some tights and wide sections as well. Not too rooty sections. it's worth it

* Review edited 6/29/2008

Similar Trail: no comments

  
reviewed by hampton1100 on April 21, 2008

This is a great trail. It has everyting you would want in a trail and more. It's fairly easy to navigate, has several amazing sections but the whole trail is high adrenaline and that is one of the big factors for a great trail to me.

  
reviewed by EZ-E on February 25, 2008

This is one of the best trails in the Charlotte area. The USNWC has kept most of the original trails and has arranged with local orgs such as the Tarheel Trailblazers, Dirt Divas, and REI to maintain the trails well. Coupled with amenities on-site such as a restaurant, bathroom/locker room facilities, an outfitters store, bike rentals and other sports such as kayaking, rafting, climbing, etc. - These trails make Charlotte a destination for the weekend warrior! The $5 parking fee is very much worth it to riders traveling from out-of town, especially if you are carpooling. No camping on-site for overnight stays, but there are some nice hotels nearby in Gastonia/Belmont and Huntersville. For local riders, with so many free(or lower cost) trail options - $5 for each visit might be cost prohibitive....you may want to purchase the annual pass for $40, which reduces your cost per visit(with the annual pass: 1 visit/month would translate to about $3.30/visit and 2 visits/month = $1.66/visit) and the annual fee is supposed to be tax-deductible. You can purchase at the front gate with a Visa/MC/Debit card. USNWC Website: http://www.usnwc.org/

* Review edited 2/19/2009

Similar Trail: SHERMAN BRANCH, POSTON, FISHER FARM, LAKE NORMAN STATE PARK

  
reviewed by EZ-E on November 30, 2007

Updated the IMBA trail rating

* Review edited 11/30/2007

Similar Trail: Sherman Branch, Poplar Tent, Lake Norman State Park

  
reviewed by videl_majin_cold45 on October 30, 2007

very nice trail system, my favorite trails in the Charlotte region. The whitewater center has done a terrific job of maintaining the trails. Fast sections mixed with some technical obstacles makes this trail worth driving for.

Similar Trail: Renassaince Park

  
reviewed by barpn_haga on April 13, 2007

Great trail. Short but fun. Climbs are hard but short. Not for beginners.

Similar Trail: pee-wees in lincolnton

  
reviewed by JCaldwell704 on March 7, 2007

THIS TRAIL IS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER RIDDEN PERIOD.............. it wasn't as technical as i thought it would be, it was actually easier than i thought. i mean, i have only been riding for one month, but i started out riding pee-wee, hickory shore and 181. it's just this trail is a lung buster, leg burning, mind blowing. lol i had alot of rest breaks. lol.................. the trail is one of the best maintained trails i have ever ridden on............... good conditions today. i rode goat hill, carpet ride, weight station and main trail. all were amazing rides. alot of ridders started showing up at 5 o'clock, so i guess thats everybodys afterwork ride before they go home................................... hats off to the trail blazers for a job well done.

* Review edited 3/7/2007

Similar Trail: dark mountain in wilksboro.

  
reviewed by RaginCajun on February 18, 2007

One of the best trails in the area. The climbs are pretty tough, but for the most part they are short. SAFETY NOTE- If you have a top of car rack, and you park directly under the large powerlines, becareful, there is a good chance that your rack with be charged and it will shock you.

  
reviewed by jaxpcs on December 28, 2006

Very well maintained on both loops, great fun for advanced riders with opportunity for lung and leg work, beginners will have fun as well. I did 11 miles today - my understanding is that more trails are coming in the future. The directions to parking are no longer valid...get off on Sam Wilson Blvd exit on I-85 and follow signs to US Whitewater Center, parking for trails are adjacent to Whitewater Center parking. There is also a restaurant on the premises.

  
reviewed by robertbuchan on September 27, 2006

This is the first trail I ever rode on a mountain bike. Frankly I don't know what took me so long to start mountain biking. This is a great venue and based on my inexperience I am not going to risk a low rating of this trail because it was awesome all round. However I have to say that the black trails were only a bit tougher than the blue trails and these were not that intimidating based on the reviews I read here. Not sure what all this talk about technical is other than some fun obstacles, roots and stuf. Beautiful nature setting. After I figured out how to get around the 2 nd time without putting my feet on the ground up goat hill more than once I got a lot more out of the setting.

Similar Trail: North Mecklenburg Park

  
reviewed by leadbutt on August 1, 2006

Great set of trails! I'm not sure if they were opened to the public, but when I got there, there were plenty of cars and riders so I figured the trails were open. This place is awesome - nice flowing singletrack network. Each section is long enough for a good ride, but ends soon enough at a fire road to give a little break. I'm sure I didn't ride everything, but what I did ride was great. Fast downhills, steep climbs with some great switchbacks - I never thought carpet could be used to strengthen terrain, but it can!!

Similar Trail: Hobby Park, Westwood, Danville

  
reviewed by dtacmed on June 1, 2006

Raced there 5/31/06. Great Trail however will kick your butt. Has it all from killer climbs to fast downhills, Sweet Single track etc. Very fun a great place to hone skills. Great cardio.

Similar Trail: Renni charlotte

  
reviewed by Blur-Girl on October 3, 2005

Rode this trail for the first time on Saturday and raced it on Sunday!!! This place has it all. Although it was an abbreviated version due to the construction, I felt I got a taste of everything. Challenging climbs, fast descents, good switchbacks, a few technical places to keep you on your toes and good recovery areas. This is a must ride when it opens back up:)

  
reviewed by EZ-E on June 26, 2005

Catawba is temporarily off-limits, except for special events(ie races), until approximately 3/2006 for the US Whitewater Park Construction. It is promised that Catawba will have AT LEAST 11 miles of trails when the Whitewater Park/Outdoor complex opens...future plans may include the Catawba trail network linking via greenway bridge across the river to the west where the town Mt. Holly is partnering to provide more trail access for mountain bikes. Catawba is by far the best trail in Charlotte with regard to technical terrain, trail continuity, hardpacked trail surface, and distance. If the Whitewater Park developers honor their word, this will be a premiere location for mountain biking east of the mountains! You will be able to ride, kayak, climb, swim, hike, camp and have facilities (food, outdoor store, and restrooms) all in one place. Stay tuned to these websites for further updates: http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com/index.cfm http://www.charlottewhitewater.com/index.html

Similar Trail: Itusi-Lake Norman, Poplar Tent, Francis Beatty, Fisher Farm, North Mecklenburg Park, Rennaissance Park, Anne Springs

  
reviewed by astroman on April 7, 2005

This is one of my home trails and offers it all, climbs, technical, and wicked fast single track. Unfortunately due to construction on a whitewater park, this trail is closed until further notice....

  
reviewed by MTB1 on December 2, 2004

The trails are still good to ride. A slight addendum to directions above: turn right on Heavy Equipment road (yellow house is on the north side of the rode for reference).

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