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Tsali Thompson Loop Mountain Bike Trail
Bryson City, North Carolina
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
19 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 10/31/10 by mtbgreg1 |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 7 miles | Global Rank: #Not yet ranked. |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 229 | Wishlist: 86 |
| Avg. Speed: 7.01 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 3min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +990/-1,179 ft |
Description: Thompson Loop, like Mouse Branch Loop, is more technical than the Right and Left loops at Tsali. Thompson has a lot of tight twisting singletrack and like all the trails at Tsali is fun to ride at warp speed. There are a couple of uphills that might sneak up on you though. The overall elevation change is approximately 300 feet, so riding the loops backwards is still fast and equally challenging.
Find out about camping at Tsali.
added in 2003 by guest 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Wild Turkey in Greensboro
Overmountain Victory Trail (Kerr Scott Reservoir) in Wilkesboro
Tsali Left Loop in Bryson City
Tsali Right Loop in Bryson City
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by jfigel76 on September 3, 2011
I have rode this trail loop 2 times in 2 separate times of the year. The trail maintence here is awesome. The $3 fee to ride the trails, 80% stays in this area and it shows. Trail is just like everyone said. Nice winding, rolling hills and followed by a great, fast, knarley downhill. I rode in the recommended direction.
Similar Trail: Left loop, right loop, Mouse Branch.
reviewed by Scooter13 on February 5, 2011
I rode this trail last week on my new bike. I've ridden it before as it is 20 miles from my home. Great trail. Great downhill at the end. Easier than Mouse Branch but I think more difficult than Left and Right loop even though Left and Right are much longer. Tsali is worth the trip for anyone wanting a sweet ride.
Similar Trail: Other Tsali trails and Jackrabbit between Hayesville, NC and Hiawasee, GA
reviewed by Lisbeth on October 25, 2010
We rode this one backwards, dammit. That means we climbed UP the sweet, mile-long downhill that's supposed to be the end. Ugh. I'm going to have to hit this one again the right way to properly review it. I just remember feeling like I was climbing forever at the beginning. The trail was pretty narrow and technical in some places but short, so not overly hard to handle. Made a good half ride when combined with Mouse Branch. Some beautiful views at the end (which was the beginning for me).
reviewed by mtbgreg1 on August 15, 2010
An absolutely awesome loop that is such a pleasure to ride! For most of it, the trail flows up and down as it meanders along its way. Towards the middle, it spends a while climbing. AND THEN... I wish every trail ended this way, it finishes with a blazing fast, super flowy, mile-long downhill back to the car that is just an absolute treat! This trail is amazing!
Similar Trail: Tsali mouse branch, Jack Rabbit
reviewed by GoldenGoose on June 9, 2010
Knocked out Thompson and Mouse branch today and can't wait to go back on another day and hit the Right and Left loops. The flow at Thompson almost rivaled some of the loops down at F.A.T.S. in South Carolina. Maybe it was the adrenaline but I felt like the first 3-4 miles absolutely flew by. Other than a few roots and a couple of loose rocks, the trail was pretty smooth. There were, however, several puddles on the trail that seem to be slow to drain. A little trail maintenance could easily get them to properly drain. Be sure to ride through them rather than around them so you don't make the trail grow. Trail is used by horses on alternating days but there are VERY few signs of them. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays are your days to enjoy this one.
Similar Trail: Mouse Branch Blankets Creek (Dwelling and South loop)
reviewed by scout_about on November 23, 2009
I liked this trail a lot. In fact I like it more than Right Loop. It is shorter but more fun and I found it to be more techical. I think the climbs of Right Loop were much harder, but that doesn't make a trail to me . I like flow and techincal challenge more. I am not saying any of Tsali's trails are what I would classify as technical, but Thompson had more than Right Loop does. I liked this trail a lot. I know people are going to say I am crazy but I preferred Thompson and Mouse over Right. And not because they are shorter or that their climbs are as long or as hard, but because of the other things I mentioned.
Similar Trail: Right and Left Loop, Mouse Branch
reviewed by RidingPastor on July 25, 2009
Rode this with rising 7th graders from Youth group. It was tough at first (rode counterclockwise) but then it flowed real well. went back and rode clockwise some of the sections. it was a lot of fun and very fast.
reviewed by JSurratt on July 4, 2009
Wow.....this was a rewarding sweet singletrack that had some uphill climbs with some fast downhill runs.....the last half mile was the fastest downhill I have ridden......was a blast while on weekend getaway.
Similar Trail: Tsali Mouse Branch Loop
reviewed by FiveDogCycling on July 1, 2009
Lots of fun, take the fire road up past the first entrance to end the trail with a fun descent. The Mouse and Thompson system at Tsali is by far the better system in my opinion. Not as publicized and therefore not as wide and a lot more fun. Tsali Left and Right by far have the better views but Mouse and Thompson hands down are the better trail to me
Similar Trail: Flint Ridge (after the first mile of Flint)
reviewed by jjacobs543 on October 29, 2008
Great trail with really really good flow. It is lots of fun either direction but I have to say bombing the tail end of it counterclockwise is tough to beat. I would pick this trail over Mouse but both are very solid.
reviewed by Reserverockhopper on December 29, 2007
Love it. Just one of 4 trails to do in the Tsali recreation area.
reviewed by ositoking on July 8, 2007
Tsali is just a beautiful place to ride with great views that cant be beat. Most of the riding is gradual climbing and dropping along contour line trails just off and above the lakes edge.
reviewed by squirl58 on May 1, 2007
WOW!!! Amazing trail with a extremely fast finish. Fun creek crossings. Great views of lake too. not very challenging, but fast paced. I dont know what that trey person is talking about. He must of been walking the trail or something.
* Review edited 5/1/2007
Similar Trail: Tsali Mouse Branch
reviewed by scubasteven on July 24, 2006
In my opinion, this is the best loop in the Tsali system. It is 7.5 miles of great cruising. There are some cool creek crossings. Definitely ride the Thompson counter-clockwise. When riding CC, you are rewarded with a 1.5 mile downhill to finish the loop. The last downhill is definitely worth the little bit of pain required to climb to the top. Per the Park Service, this trail is only supposed to be ridden on Thursday, Saturday, Monday, so plan accordingly becuase you do not want to visit Tsali and not ride this trail at least a couple of times!
Similar Trail: Tasli Left Loop
reviewed by yellowXtrek on June 26, 2005
A very fast trail with a great flow. Not very technical. A few little climbs but nothing bad. There are about 4-5 little creek crossings. The best part of the trail is the last mile with a fast downhill. What a great trail.
Similar Trail: Mouse Branch
reviewed by Wyoming on April 1, 2005
My favorite of the Tsali trails. It is not that difficult, but has great downhills and woops. The fastest in my opinion. Look forward to riding this again.
Similar Trail: Mouse but not as technical.
reviewed by mudhunny on October 25, 2004
Rode it counter-clockwise and it had the least painful climbs of the Tsali trails. Going the otherway up the fireroad might have been a tad steeper but faster. Either way you can go top speed through the singletrack!
Similar Trail: Mouse Branch
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