Mountain bikers hitting the trails BY NATHAN HAM
M
ountain biking has always been a popular outdoor sport and hobby for a lot of biking enthusiasts that live in or visiting the High Country. The number of mountain biking trails have continued to grow over the last few years, particularly with the creation of Rocky Knob Park and the most recent expansion of the Mortimer Trails Project in the Wilson Creek area along the Avery County and Caldwell County lines. Rocky Knob features five different trails that equal to about eight miles of total riding distance. The park was built through a partnership between the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and Boone Area Cyclists, a local nonprofit that advocates for expanding cycling access and rider safety. The trails at Rocky Knob Park range
90
from beginner and intermediate level trails to advanced and very advanced difficulty levels for the most experienced of riders. The park entrance is located just off of U.S. 421 South on the right if you are traveling toward Deep Gap. If you’re looking for another location to take your bike out on the trails, Emerald Outback Beech Mountain is a fun place to explore. After opening in 2011, Emerald Outback features almost seven miles of trails for mountain biking and hiking during the summer months and snowshoeing during the winter months. With elevations between 4,700 feet and 5,400 feet, Emerald Outback is one of the highest trail parks east of the Mississippi River. Emerald Outback’s popularity grew very quickly as the park has already SEE MOUNTAIN ON PAGE 91
PHOTO BY MOSS BRENNAN Brittany Reiter (left) and Sonia Bogdanov turn a corner on one of the mountain biking trails on Sugar Mountain during a clinic on Aug. 21.
SUMMER TIMES 2022
