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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 2.5 mi (4 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +51/ -43 ft
Total: 196 riders
Mountain Biking Van Michael Trail
#14 of 403 mountain bike trails in Georgia
The Van Michael Trail is a 3.9 mile directional trail that changes with the day of the week. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are counter clockwise. The entrance to Van Michael on these days is located on the Mosquito Flats beginners trail. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday the trail entrance is on the Mosquito Bites beginners trail. Van Michael is listed as advanced difficulty but its more due to the aerobic challenge rather than technical challenge. The majority of the trail is smooth but you will encounter roots and several rock sections. This trail is constantly up and down and twisty the entire way.
First added by GoldenGoose on Aug 5, 2010. Last updated May 1, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: yes
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: yes
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: yes
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
From I-285 go North on I-75 to I-575 north. Go to Sixes Road-exit 11 and turn left (west). Parking for trail system is about 2-3 miles on the left and is clearly marked. Entrances to Van Michael Trail are located on the Mosquito Flats and Mosqito Bites trails and depend on the day of the week.
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I give this trail 4 stars because it has a little bit of everything going on. This trail has good flow in many parts. This trail will force you out of your comfort zone on some of the climbs. This trail has alternate paths that have jumps and a large downed tree you can ride on. This trail seems to be longer than it is. This trail has some tight switchbacks too. It's a nice little adventure that is different from Dwelling and the South Loop which are also fun. VMT is a tough trail for some, and for others not so much. I like it because it allows me to get a taste of everything, and it is just a fun trail.
| ThankThis is the most fun ride at Blankets. Improvements in the past year have made it more ridable and slightly easier.
There used to be some rough spots that were very challenging, but those have mostly been smoothed and now the only really hard part is the sharp uphill that overlooks the lake.
| ThankThis is one heck of a trail to ride. Talk about pushing your stamina and endurance, this is the trail. Full of roots but, you gotta learn to overcome these somehow and you will here! I love the flowy switchback curves as they are nice and wide to safely get around. A few challenging climbs along the way. Again, trail markings are to be desired showing that you're still actually ON the Van Michael loop.
| ThankThe overpass option is challenging and technical for sure. Also some steep climbs. Other than that it's not my cup of tea. Too much man-made stuff on the trail and often it looks more like a BMX track than anything else.
| ThankI rode this trail with a guy that rides here all the time. He stated that the trail had just been redone and was really nice. We rode the clockwise the particular day that I went. This is an amazing trail with some high bank switchbacks. One you get to the top this is a really fast trail. I give them a thumbs up for the reconstruction on this trail.
| ThankThe trail is fast and smooth. I like how the trail is built to ride in different directions on different days.
| ThankA good mix of climbing and descent. Some rocks, roots and other obstacles to keep you on your toes but nothing to crazy. My Gf and I rode it on a road trip and would definitely ride again if we are in the area.
| ThankLike all the trails at Blankets, this one is super fun.
Nothing really technical to speak of on this trail apart from some tight switchbacks. One in particular back by the lake has a pretty good drop off to the side.
The climbs are short, but some are brutally steep. It's best to ride this trail when you're fresh so you can really enjoy it.
The descents are fast and swoopy, punctuated with huge berms to keep your speed through the corners.
| ThankMy favorite trail in Blankets and Taylor Randahl. Fast and Flowing! Climbs burned my legs - but they're not super long climbs.
| ThankAll of the new improvements are awesome!!! Great work to those that did all of it. I just wish the trail was longer.
| ThankBest trail at Blankets. Early in the day much less traffic than Dwelling.
| ThankThis trail for me was a leg burner! Never really flat anywhere. It had some of the steeper climbs that Blankets Creek had to offer. The trail was for the most part smooth with occasional rocks and roots
| ThankThis trail has spoiled me! The trail designers really knocked it out of the park and the maintenance has always been great. Now I spend my time in Colorado trying to find a trail system with this much love put into it...
| ThankBack section with rocky switchback has been cut off right now, but the rest of the trail is still in great shape. Some great, tough climbs and awesome descents going both direction. Get in the rhythm and this trail gets really fast.
| ThankIt's all about Hurl Hill, tough as nails to get up. This is a great flowing up and down trail that has great climbs and berms on the corners.
| ThankVMT is fun! There is plenty of challenging climbing that always ends in scary fast descents. The hard corners all have high banked berms so you can flow like crazy. Better still, with the Tue, Thurs, Sat race cut loop you can hit some of the best parts of that trail over and over again. It's Georgia baby, you've got to go up to get down.
| ThankSingle speeders beware! I took my trusty SS out today for my first time ever around VMT. Insane climbs, superb downhill sections with great banked corners, and a section or two that'll make the ol' bunghole pucker up! There are a few alt lines tossed in here and there, too. I rode it clockwise but it seems that either direction will be about a 50/50 of uphill/downhill. A definite must-ride at Blankets!
| ThankSuper fun trail since they revamped it. Some sweet berms and small jumps. Some super steep climbs too. This trail has it all.
| Thank... several advanced features with built in alternate (avoidance) routes.* Review edited 7/18/2012
| ThankI pushed the bike a lot today... 1st time on the trail so I didn't take full advantage of the downhill due to fear of the unknown... ha... no need, a very smooth trail with very few surprises. The banked turns are awesome/fast. Will be walking the rock ledge next time too though... wow.
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