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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	15 trail reviews
Status: Closed updated 1/25/10 by EZ-E Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Beginner
Length: 13 miles	Global Rank: 472
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 73	Wishlist: 42
Avg. Speed: 8.56 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 24min

 

Tsali Left Loop in Bryson City

 

Overmountain Victory Trail (Kerr Scott Reservoir) in Wilkesboro

 

Catawba Mtb Park-US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte

 

South Shore Of Hickory in Hickory

 

  
reviewed by EZ-E on January 7, 2010

Trail direction has reversed for 2010, all bike traffic should be clockwise and foot traffic counter-clockwise. The new, more challenging "LAUREL LOOP" is officially open! The Laurel Loop is starting with 4.7mi of trail and planned for future expansion, deemed Phase IV A of the LNSP MTB trail complex. It is detached from the other LNSP trails across the bridge going toward the Troutman entrance(ride away from Monbo Loop entrance on the paved park road). Interim map link of the Laurel Loop section only: http://www.plus3network.com/activity/itusi-trail-laurel-loop/92994 From LNSP Park Superintendent, Casey Rhinehart: The Itusi Trail is open today including the new 4.7 mile Laurel Loop (Phase IV A). Be advised that the Laurel Loop is extremely soft and a little damp as it is a brand new trail and hasn't been packed down by use. There are also many soft and damp spots on the other loops especially in the north facing areas. On behalf of NC State Parks and the Lake Norman State Park staff, I would like to say thanks for all of the hard work and time that all of the volunteers have put into this new loop and towards maintaining the original loops. I have to extend a special thanks to our trail boss Bob Karriker and Jeff Archer who are the driving forces behind the Itusi. Thanks to the Tarheel Trailblazers, Dirt Divas and Boy Scouts that brought out dozens of volunteers on the numerous work days. I also want to recognize Mike Hamm who spends a lot of time on the Itusi doing routine maintenance.

Similar Trail: Sherman Branch

  
reviewed by EZ-E on March 24, 2009

Trail directions continue to alternate from year-to-year. For 2009, the trail will be ridden COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. This means you will start by crossing the park road from the MTB parking lot and turning right to the singletrack just up the gravel jeep road. So, going forward, assume ODD years=counter-clockwise, EVEN years=clockwise...unless otherwise notified at the trailhead signage. LNSP trail is one of the most consistent MTB trails in the piedmont area...being 15-20min from I-77 and I-40, anyone traveling through NC should check out this trail! The trails are well-maintained and have been designed to IMBA standards/oversight to remain resistant to erosion and wear. The current 13mi of trail are easy to follow and allow for a high avg speed. The trail features many fun, sweeping downhills, gradual climbs, very few roots, opportunity to catch screaming fast air on the "Monbo" loop(just watch for trees in the downhill turns), and the entire trail surface is consistent and hard packed. There are also great views of the creeks feeding into Lake Norman along with a lot of wildlife to see(deer, turkey, waterfowl, fox, etc). Being within State Park boundries, this is also a safer ride option during hunting season in the fall. As mentioned...Lake Norman State Park is great for just about everyone from advanced cross-country riders to beginners looking for a trail on which to learn skills. First Flight Bikes along with many local volunteers(Tarheel Trailblazers, Dirt Divas, PASA) continue to add bike trails at LNSP - for 2009, the new "Phase IV" of the trail system will add close to seven miles to the existing bike trails. The new section is located on approximately 160 acres between Lake Norman and Wildlife Road closer to the main entrance of the park on 'State Park Rd'. These new trails are expected to be cut through more challenging terrain and will be built with a more technical signature. Please continue to watch for trailwork days at LNSP on the "Events" section of this trail profile or at: http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/nph-YaBB.pl?board=TrailWork

Similar Trail: Sherman Branch, Over Mountain Victory(OMV) Trail

  
reviewed by FirstFlight on November 13, 2008

You can choose a nice scenic ride with the family or try to set your personal best time. Not too many trails in the area give you this choice; they are either too technical for families or too boring for more advanced riders. The Itusi works for both. Work has begun (fall 2008) on a new section that will be built to the IMBA blue standards and add close to 7 miles for a total of 20 miles! Can't wait.

  
reviewed by EZ-E on November 29, 2007

TRAIL DIRECTION WILL REVERSE FOR 2008!! Per "First Flight Bikes" announcement on the Tarheeltrailblazers.com Website Forum: It is official, the Itusi reversal will happen 1/1/2008 at 8:00 AM. Every loop is now ridden in the counter-clockwise direction including the Monbo. On January 1, every loop will be ridden in the clockwise direction. If you are riding the entire 13 miles, start in the parking lot and ride the connector trail (beside the information kiosk) to the park road, cross the car bridge and ride the Monbo loop going to the left at the intersection, back to the park road, left onto the Hawk (main) loop, left to the Norwood Loop, left at the Norwood intersection, left on the Hawk Loop, left to the Hicks Creek Loop, left on the Hicks Loop and back to the parking lot. This will allow everyone to have a different trail experience plus allow the trail to heal for a year. All of the down hill skidding sections will become climbs. This will last until 1/1/2009 when the trail will reverse again. Hope this all makes sense! Probably best to be careful for a little while until everyone figures this out. I would suspect that there will be some folks that miss the message and will be out there riding in the current direction. The Singletracks.com map is still current and accurate. Have fun out there!

Similar Trail: Sherman Branch, USNWC-Catawba Trail

  
reviewed by dbheli01 on September 3, 2007

This trail was really fun and definitely challenging for beginners, but still doable. The trails contain many short ascents followed by longer singletrack descents. There are several points on the trail where you have to check your speed. In fact, at one point on the trail there is a small tree that has obviously been hit hard, as it is split down the middle. I would recommend this trail to anyone. It is mult-use, but we didn't run into anyone else when we were there.

  
reviewed by EZ-E on May 6, 2007

Bike trail open/closure status available by checking www.tarheeltrailblazers.com or calling the park office at (704) 528-6350, the status is usually at the end of the voicemail. Phase III(Monbo Loop-6mi addition) opened April 2007 providing 12.7mi of smooth, flowing singletrack!! This is the perfect trail both for locals or if you are "just passing through" - 30 minutes from Charlotte and only 10-15 minutes from the travelers' intersection of I-40 & I-77! Trailbuilding was the site of two IMBA trail schools, which resulted in a well-packed surface and beautiful lines with great erosion control. Not technical, but many sections are fast and twisty! Phase III(Monbo Loop) offers more challenging climbs and a few sections where you'd think you were on a roller coaster-there are sections where you can't help but catch air. Bridges, bank turns, whoops, switchback climbs followed by flowing descents, all with opportunities for views of Lake Norman and wildlife such as deer and turkey. This trail will continue to thrive because it is managed(open/closures) by the State Park Service...they are pretty diligent about closing the trail when wet. It's not unheard of for trail to be closed up to 48hrs after rainfall, but it has held up well because of it. There is a new(opened 2005) swimming area complex located in the south area of the park at the end of State Park Road near an accessible fishing pier and the pier picnic area. The complex includes a 125-yard-long sand beach, parking area and bathhouse with concession stand, restrooms, changing stalls, warm showers and lockers. Camping with bathhouses also available at the park. Do not ride on "hiking only trails" or ride on the bike trail if it is closed, as you will be fined by the rangers. The bike trail is specifically marked with light blue diamond trail blazes(see trail photos for an example). For more info on Lake Norman State Park amenities/events/park map: http://www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/lano/home.html

Similar Trail: Similar to parts of Tsali, but with less elevation change, Sherman Branch

  
reviewed by JCaldwell704 on May 3, 2007

First time i went was last Saturday. the trail was awsome. very, very, very fast. put new meaning in burning some laps..............not technical at all, very cross country hardtail kind of trail and remember when the trail forks always go to the right side..........................it's a good trail to switch it up and train . ........ Oh just remember dont ride your bike on the paved walking areas, you have to walk it..... there is no bathrooms, or water fountains, so bring plenty of water....... but the scenery is nice i saw alot of road bike guys riding around the park. so if your into rode check it out too.

Similar Trail: Catawba river water front off sam wilson rd in charlotte. actually catawba river is better than itusi in my opinion

  
reviewed by bigcountry on April 25, 2007

If you haven't been here before you need to make it a point to go. I would like to thank all the volunt. who have made this one of the best rides around.

  
reviewed by videl_majin_cold45 on March 28, 2007

The new Mambo Loop is open at Lake Norman State Park. This new loop breings the total trail system to 12.7 miles. Thanks to all of the hard work of volunteers, Lake Norman may become one of the premier destinations for mountain biking in North Carolina.

  
reviewed by RaginCajun on February 4, 2007

Well it was a littel tricky for me (I started the wrong way) so I ended up making 11 miles out of 6. The trail itself is well manicured and has some decent climbs. I don't know if it was the trail conditions, but it was a tad bit to slow for me. I am excited for the second part to be complete.

Similar Trail: Fisher Farm Park

  
reviewed by videl_majin_cold45 on October 29, 2006

If this is not one of the best trails in NC it needs to be. Great climbs and some long downhill action. Even though this trail is very popular with experts it is still rideable for the begginer. Absaloutley the best maintained trail I have seen, First Flight Bicycles have done a good job building this trail. If you see a trail volunteer be sure to thank him. AWSOME SCENERY

Similar Trail: Hobby Park

  
reviewed by KingKona on November 26, 2005

Trail is in excellent shape with especially with the lack of rain and the excellent trail work that has been done. The trails themselves are failry wide for single track and very smooth with very little rocks and roots. This trail would be great for newcomers to MTB and kids. Overall it was fun to blast through the woods without having to negotiate technical sections

  
reviewed by EZ-E on July 11, 2005

Some of the best singletrack in the southeast - 30 minutes from Charlotte! Well-packed and beautiful lines. Not technical, but many sections are fast and twisty! Bridges, bank turns, whoops, nice long flowing switchback in some areas. This trail will continue to thrive because it is managed(open/closures) by the State Park Service...they are pretty diligent about closing the trail when wet. It's not unheard of for trail to be closed 2-3 days, but it has held up well because of it. You can get info for open/closure status by checking www.tarheeltrailblazers.com or calling the park office at (704) 528-6350, the status is usually at the end of the voicemail. There is also a swimming area on the opposite side of the same parking lot as the trailhead, good for a post ride dip or lunch. Camping with bathhouses available at the park. Currently a well-marked 6.7mile loop(blazes & distance markers). Phase III to be complete by early 2006 should push total length to 10-12+.

Similar Trail: Similar to Tsali-esque flow but not as technical or as much elevation change.

  
reviewed by astroman on April 7, 2005

Very fast track, not too many climbs but you will find yourself whipped at the end of the day because the trail just calls you to rip it!

  
reviewed by jsatter on February 14, 2005

Awesome Trail!! The trail is actually 2 loops that total about 5 miles according to my GPS. The trail is not very technical, but it has a great mix of uphill and downhill to keep it fun and challenging. If you are looking for something technical, this trail is not for you, but if you are a beginner like me, it's perfect.

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