3 minute read
Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers hitting the trails
BY NATHAN HAM
Mountain 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 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.
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hosted the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Biking National Championship in 2013 and again in 2014.
The Mortimer Trail Project, through a partnership between the Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance and the U.S. Forest Service, added an additional 10 miles of trails in an area already enjoyed by many mountain bikers.
“The trails in Wilson Creek have long been loved by most who ride there for being the way they are,” said Paul Stahlschmidt, trail coordinator for the Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance. “But there is a need for some changes, and this plan will make them even better.”
Trail construction began last winter and will be another great outdoor recreational opportunity in the Pisgah National Forest region.
“The Mortimer Trails Project is a great example of how we can do more together,” said Lisa Jennings, Recreation and Trails Program Manager for the Grandfather District. “The partners put the hard work into making this project a reality. We are excited to bring more mountain bike trails and provide a better experience for users in this special piece of Pisgah.”
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A rider at the Emerald Outback challenge course in Beech Mountain. SUBMITTED PHOTO
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