National Trails Day is only four months away. For those planning to come to Bent Creek the weekend of June 5-8, be aware that Green's Lick will be the trail work focus. There will also be several regional rides lead by locals and many other organized - or unorganized - social events. Help us move some dirt & rock!

http://pisgahareasorba.org/

Does anyone know what kind of climbing elevations can be expected at Bent Creek? How about total elevation gains if all the trails in the Bent Creek area are ridden?

Any suggestions on which direct to ride Bent Creek to get the most difficult climbs out of the trails there? 

Goose -

Ben Blitch is The Man With the Plan. I can't supply you with specifics, but I do know there will be som narrowing to reduce the expressway appearence and control soil problems, a few minor line adjustments, new technical features, rock armoring, repairs to the banks and some naturalization with native plants.

Mickey -

I'm not able to provide elevations right now. Back when I used to climb-climb all the time, I found a route I liked. It has plenty of downhill and avoids most of the reclaimed trails that were turned into roads. Still a lot of double track though.

I usually start from this side because I live here.

Start at Rice Pinnacle, go up Wolf Branch, right on Ledford Road, travel on the road a ways and then take the left up Ingles to Five Points. Continue to Green's Lick. Whee, whee down almost to 479. There's a cut through marked 137A (?) on your right. Cross the creek and take the right up the mountain.

You come out on 479, go left down the road and turn right in to the first gated road called South Ridge. Follow that to Chestnut drop, take the right at the bottom to Explorer, go right, catch Pine Tree to Deerfield and Small Creek. Come back toward Hard Times Parking lot and take a right up the Connector trail. Cross the paved road and you'll come to a wooden bridge, go right and end back to Rice Pinnacle. Not enough? Then turn around and do it backwards.

Basically, I really like the climb up 137A - so no matter how you get there, try to include it in your loop. Have fun.

Edit 2:30 a.m.: Neighbor's dog I'm caring for wanted out and woke me up. Fixed a wrong turn and selected spelling in post. Actually planning to ride at some point "today"...