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Fort Mountain State Park Mountain Bike Trail
Chatsworth, Georgia
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
10 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 9/22/10 by GoldenGoose |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 10 miles | Global Rank: #775 |
| Tread: Doubletrack | Configuration: Out & Back |
| Ridden: 68 | Wishlist: 37 |
| Avg. Speed: 3.4 mph | Avg. Time: 2hr 53min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,926/-1,604 ft (based on partial GPS data) |
Directions:
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Description: Beginners: (Lake Loop 1.1 mi) Intermediate: Gold Mine Loop (6.3 mi), Cool Springs (7 mi) Advanced: East West Loop (14 mi) There are loops for various types of riders, but I have found none of them to be particularly mountain bike friendly. Most of the trails start off downhill and you have to pay for a 1000 feet elevation change at the end. There are nice scenic views of the North Georgia mountains and even creeks and springs. Deer are common and if you're lucky, you won't run into any of the bears. The eleven downhill switchbacks on the Cool Springs Loop are the most exciting thing I've run into on these trails. I know there has got to be better trails around the Chatsworth area though. Overall, the mountain bike trails seemed like good intentions on behalf of the forestry division but the trails are in desperate need of singletrack.
Description: Beginners: (Lake Loop 1.1 mi) Intermediate: Gold Mine Loop (6.3 mi), Cool Springs (7 mi) Advanced: East West Loop (14 mi) There are loops for various types of riders, but I have found none of them to be particularly mountain bike friendly. Most of the trails start off downhill and you have to pay for a 1000 feet elevation change at the end. There are nice scenic views of the North Georgia mountains and even creeks and springs. Deer are common and if you're lucky, you won't run into any of the bears. The eleven downhill switchbacks on the Cool Springs Loop are the most exciting thing I've run into on these trails. I know there has got to be better trails around the Chatsworth area though. Overall, the mountain bike trails seemed like good intentions on behalf of the forestry division but the trails are in desperate need of singletrack.
added in 2003 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers
Blankets Creek Bicycle Trail in Woodstock
Chicopee Woods in Gainesville
Bear Creek in Ellijay
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by robale43 on March 21, 2011
Rode the Gold Mine Loop on Saturday (March 19, 2011). Recommend (as the girl in the office told us) to start at the parking lot by the lake and do the narly uphill part first while you're fresh! It's a beeeoch of a climb with a lot of loose rock. Ended up having to push the bike part of the way! After that section its a lot of nice downhill and the rest of the climbs aren't too bad. A couple of pretty technical descents that will have you sitting on your back tire. Two really nice views on this loop to reward you. No other riders were spotted either on the trail or in the parking lots... surprised! Note: There were several trees down on the trail forcing us to stop and carry the bikes over/under so use caution.
* Review edited 3/21/2011
reviewed by enoeht on October 30, 2010
Just rode Trail 301, which is the main loop. It is 14.2 miles, I had to cut it short at checkpoint 4 and hike up the switch back section trail 302 back to the central bike parking lot/area. This trail is one of my favorites in Georgia, its wide I grant, but why I like this trail is the legacy it has in it. The old double track are logging / gold mining roads from the 20's. There are old abandoned mines litters all over the place, and while it sounds putrid, there is old machinery littered all over, such as an old desiel hand crank engine, an old donkey track belt driven engine for pulling mine cars. It really is cool. Like the Goos said, bring your lungs and a lunch, its nice to eat lunch by one of the three massive overlook sections. The main downhill section if you are going clockwise runs down a powerline row and it is awesome, technical and scary at sections. Updatefor Parking Fees are now $5 Trail permit is $2. Worth twice as much :)
* Review edited 10/30/2010
reviewed by GoldenGoose on September 22, 2010
I rode the East West trail and while it wasn't singletrack, it was some of the most challenging Doubletrack I have ever ridden. VERY technical for the majority of the trail. Bring you lungs for this ride as it will certainly work you over the last three miles; all uphill with a nasty switchback section that would even put it to a full blown racer. Don't let the intermediate difficulty rating fool you, this place is NOT for beginners or even the majority of intermediate riders. If I had to rate this place on trail quality alone, I'd only give it 4 of 5 stars but this is hands-down the most scenic trail I have ridden in GA. that easily makes up for the few issues you will run into reqarding the trail making it a 5 of 5 for me. It always recharges my batteries to go out into places that are still true wilderness and this is one of those few places left on the East Coast. Great views from plenty of overlooks. Interesting old ruins. Great places to camp and hike. I'm sure there was a lot of luck involved but in one trip I saw a family of 10 turkeys, 4 hawks, countless deer, and a bear. If you are ready for a challenge and want to get out in the wild. This is your trail.
* Review edited 9/22/2010
Similar Trail: Stanley Gap for the aerobic challenge Snake Creek section of Pinhoti for technical challenge
reviewed by ryanherb on February 24, 2010
All the reviews are spot on Rode the trails last weekend was as everyone said but lots of down trees with no option to navigate them (anything over 2 feet or so i cant j- hop) But there were a few i had a blasted soaring over on the downhills
Similar Trail: Bull Mountain For more single track fun
reviewed by Andy1 on September 28, 2009
If you are looking for a challange this is the trail for you! The trail is very rocky and technical on the decents and the ascents. This trail pretty much goes down the mountain and then goes back up. The down hill is fast and rocky, and the climb is rocky and steep but towards the top it smooths out but it is still pretty steep. You will come across a nice waterfall at the midpoint of the climb witch is rewarding. I wouldn't recomend doing this trail after it has been raining because it just makes it near imposible to get traction while climbing over those mean rocks. Have Fun!!!
reviewed by guest on June 7, 2009
Trek sums it all up in his review! This is a great place to ride, especially if you want some technical challenge and some gnarly DH runs. Beautiful scenery!
reviewed by trek7k on October 22, 2007
Most of the reviews here are right on. The trails are tough but not just because of the elevation changes. Expect to find loose and rocky trail conditions all the way around the East-West loop and sections of overgrown trail. These trails are mostly wide singletrack and doubletrack and you probably won't see anyone else out here even on a Saturday. The official state park website says to plan on 4-8 hours to complete the entire East-West loop but I'd say that's a bit of an overestimate (it took me just under 3 hours). The East-West loop is not recommended for beginning riders. $2 fee for mountain bike trail permit at the park office in addition to the $3 state park vehicle pass.
Similar Trail: Bull Mountain, though BM has more singletrack and easier climbs.
reviewed by harohomeboy on April 18, 2007
This place is awesome. Make sure you bring extra parts because if something breaks, you will have a really long walk, I speak from experience! Bring alot of water. The downhills here are top notch. There is one underneath the power lines that is a mile long or so. This place needs to be on your list.
Similar Trail: Tsali, but rougher.
reviewed by liquid20 on January 30, 2006
What a beautiful park! And what a beautiful drive up U.S. 52 between Ellijay and Chatsworth. Had the park to myself. I rode a trail and 1/2 which was about 7 miles. From the trailhead I rode trail 301 downhill then trail 303 uphill. You definitely need lungs and horses but if you want a good taste of riding this place without taking up your whole day and all your energy this is a good route to take. The park charges $5. $3 for your car and $2 for your bike. It's worth it! You get a gorgeous view, ridiculous downhill that's not too technical, and just enough climbing to put your lungs to the test. Try this in the morning, lunch in Ellijay, then head east of Ellijay and ride Rich Mountain/Cartecay tract.
reviewed by heydude720 on September 13, 2004
Not bad though some trail maintainance would be nice, lots of climbing but there's great rewards too, i.e. views. Bring a friend for safrty because I don't hink the trails are riden too much, I go there all the time and I've seen no other bikers. Tip: on the lake loop, watch out for inexperienced hikers. I have had several close calls with them and their dogs.
