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MTB TRAIL STATS

Avg Rating:	9 trail reviews
Status: Open updated 11/21/09 by cmmarsden Closed Open Wet / Sketchy	Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 10 miles	Global Rank: 444
Tread: Singletrack	Configuration: Loop
Ridden: 73	Wishlist: 52
Avg. Speed: 5.22 mph	Avg. Time: 1hr 50min

 

Catawba Mtb Park-US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte

 

Dark Mountain Trail in Wilkesboro

 

Dupont State Forest in Brevard

 

Itusi @ Lake Norman State Park in Troutman / Charlotte

 

  
reviewed by louh on May 14, 2009

After riding Kitsuma today, I feel like a little kid---can I do it again? But, I am not a little kid but a 52 yr old woman that loves the next challenge; even though it would have been safer to stay at home. I rode conservative because I was alone, but only cleared half of the swithback exits with all the roots--I also don't carry a lot of weight. There was another hike-a-bike on the initial descent,but just like the pain of childbirth, it all passed to wonderful singletrack that was worth all the effort the 1st 2.5mi. After the campground, it was like biking riding in Central Park -only better. I loved it and am going to ride it again untlil I ride all of it.

Similar Trail: White Rock to Pilot Mtn

  
reviewed by plantme777 on January 13, 2008

I rode this one after reading the previously posted reviews and I truly enjoyed the trail. I was intimidated by the talk about the initial switchbacks, but was pleased and surprised to clear them all on the first try. (although admittedly there was an instance of tree-leaning, in order to catch my breth at one point)The top of the ridge sneaks up on you. The 14 only take a few minutes, then there is the nice drop into a steep but very rideable fall line. The previous advice is good about letting loose at the end of this descent. You will want the inertia as you attempt the following climb. I thought this steep pitch was the most unpleasant of the ride, mainly because I was not expecting it. What follows, however, is blissful and prolonged and wonderful. The ridgeline descent flows through beautiful rhodedendron thickets, is just dangerous enough to make you feel like you are accomplishing something, and allows plenty of speed for long periods of time. All of this accompanied by that unique aroma of Appalachian soil, and filtered light through the canopy above. The picnic grounds are upon you way too soon (there is a cool bridge at the bottom that allows for a rail/skinny ride over the creek while your adrenaline is still coursing)and the ride back to the top begins. I found it very pleasant too, like a private road for the mountain bike community, with good conversation and great views. I really liked this trail alot. This is one of the few 5 ratings that I have relinquished.(a low 5, but a 5 just the same)

Similar Trail: Kitsuma is a unique ride.

  
reviewed by gatorback on October 7, 2007

I'm a Florida rider and rode this trail in September 2007 on a trip to the Asheville/Brevard area. I'd heard there were a bunch of tough switchbacks and I love climbing for long periods of time (I can't get that kind of riding in Florida). This trail was excellent. The switchbacks themselves are not too tight or technical, but there are some really steep exits which make it difficult to clean them. I rode a little more than half of them my first time out. If you can clean this trail on the way up, you are a great rider and are in great shape. The old highway you ride back after going through the Old Fort picnic grounds can be either a relaxing ride home (it is a closed road and there is no traffic) or you can hammer it if you are looking for a workout. You can ride the road up in the big ring. It is a gradual but consistent climb. This is an awesome ride if you like singletrack climbing that is difficult but not overly technical. The descents--with the exception of one area near the top--are not tough for North Carolina riding. Look out for the rattlers--I rode right over a small one on the descent and fortunately was going fast and was out of danger before it knew what happened. This is excellent riding. I will be going back. The Brevard/Asheville area is a riding mecca if you ask me.

  
reviewed by gnicholson@sc.rr.com on November 7, 2006

This trail was more difficult than I expected. The start was a grueling climb up the 14ish switchbacks. I'm generally too proud to walk up a climb, but this sections was mostly a hike for me. The ridge ride is awesome, but I found that durring the Fall (I rode it in November) it's hard to see roots and rocks on the trail. Also, my group got lost on the road back. Here's what we should have done: When you exit the picnic grounds turn left . There's another road immediately to your right, but don't take it. Stay on the "dead end" road and soon you'd get to a closed gate. Go around the gate and follow this closed road about 4 or 5 miles. It's uphill the entire way, but the grade is not bad. This is a very scenic ride and almost as fun as the preceeding single track. When you get the the top of this closed road, go around the other gate and turn left. Follow this road back to Ridgecrest and Royal Gorge Rd. Take a left onto Royal Gorge and follow it to the parking area. This is a difficult ride but one of the best I've done in a while.

  
reviewed by sleahcim on August 1, 2006

While I haven't riden this trail, I have hiked it many times. Thought you might like a little humility thrown into the mix: Camp Ridgecrest uses this trail (from the parking lot to the top of Kitsuma) as the last "rite of passage" for their male campers at the end of their summer stay at the camp. The campers are from ten to sixteen years old. Oh yeah, one more thing, they run all the way to the top.

  
reviewed by teeradejk on May 1, 2006

What an awesome trail! The climb up the switchbacks was a good workout but not too technical. The downhill part, on the other hand, was a different story. It was significantly more technical than the ride up. The trail was narrow, steep, and rooty, and if you don't know what you're doing, there's a big drop waiting for you on the side. I wouldn't recommend it for intermediate riders, but the experienced riders will love this trail.

  
reviewed by EZ-E on August 7, 2005

The "14 switchbacks" from the Royal Gorge Rd Trailhead are a LUNGBUSTER!! At the top of the switchbacks, you are in a clearing with no signs...look across the clearing just a bit to the left and you'll see the obvious continuation of the trail. Trail follows the ridgeline for a long while - there are some hardhitting rooty downhills - watch out here, you can definitely endo. There are a few spots that were just a blur I was descending so fast! The "Old Fort Picnic Area" trail sign was broken and on the ground. From that sign, it is a tight and fast switchback descent to the picnic area. Per the directions above, when you arrive at the Old Fort Picnic Ground and head out to the road...when you reach the paved road(you'll see a silver historical sign for "Andrews Geyser" across the street) the road goes in 3 directions, look to the FAR left and take the road with the DEAD END sign. This is old Hwy 70 and is closed to cars - this will keep you on the path as described in the directions. This way will turn into "Yates Rd" and will go directly back to the Royal Gorge Rd trailhead. The other left, actually middle road, is a longer road ride and longer uphill which eventually hooks up with the same Yates Rd above - this way will take you past the Historic Andrews (Spring) Geyser and a B&B. Next time, I'm just doing an out-and-back, reversing at the end and staying on the trail the whole way - that's if my body can take it! This trail WILL humble you!! It would be awesome if you could camp at the Old Fort Picnic Ground.

Similar Trail: DuPont National Forest(Corn Shoal-Slickrock)

  
reviewed by K2K on July 16, 2005

What a rush, I started at the Old Fort picninc ground and did all the climbing 1st. Well most of the climbing 1st. The ride up Old 70 is long but steady. It opens up to views of the ridgeline you will soon be descending. The climb up the eroded 14 switchbacks is doable but tight and rooty in places. The 1st descent must be 60-65 degree fall line. Let go and hold on there is a nice transition to scrub that speed. The ridge line drains rteally well but it got a little soupy towards the bottom as the trail hooks up with the creek and drops to the picnic area. Have a cousin that lives in Blk Mtn so I can't wait to get back there and clean this s***er...

  
reviewed by kow on September 7, 2004

No kidding, this trail is amazingly unique. Alex and I decided to try it b/c it sounded awesome. It was. The climb was rough. We hiked a bike up a good many of the switchbacks. We didn't worry too much about the forecast for the day, but by the time we were up at the top, it was raining pretty steadily. The rocks were wet, the roots were wet, and within 15 minutes, the mud was as slick as could be. The dropoffs were pretty steep, so we cautiously rode and hiked the bikes down a good bit of the downhill. As we were debating whether or not this was a biking trail - surely it was just a hiking trial - some crazy dude came FLYING by us in full downhill gear... as we carried the bikes. (how humbling!) I think we must have imagined him... he couldn't have possibly had any grip for the curves! For our journey, the steady rain turned into an all out thunderstorm, complete with lightning, hail, and huge gusts of wind that whipped through the valley as we raced up the five miles back to the parking lot. It was an unforgettable experience. The views were awesome, and the trail was gorgeous. I highly recommend this hidden gem... but pick a dry day, even if you're brave!

Similar Trail: I've never seen anything like it! ...for biking, that is!

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