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Author Topic: Planning a trip to Alabama, Chattanooga, NW Georgia: Looking for recomendations  (Read 279 times)

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Offline kurtisk

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I am planning a 4-day trip to NE Alabama, Chattanooga, NW Georgia soon.  My research and discussions have identified the following trails as places to ride.  I ride all our trails here, but blacks such as Gatorback, Moonscape, less frequently--not so into death defying :o

Racoon Mtn near Chattanooga (http://www.sorbachattanooga.org/raccoon-mountain)

Fort Mountain State Park - Chatsworth, Georgia (http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/fort-mountain-state-park.html)  I have gotten mixed reviews of this park so far...

Oak Mountain State Park - Birmingham, AL (http://www.alapark.com/OakMountain/Trails/) (http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/99190/oak-mountain-state-park-imba-epic)(http://bump.org/trails/oakmountain/)

Coldwater Mountain - Anniston, AL (http://static1.squarespace.com/static/546479afe4b070b16de8994b/t/54683742e4b0cbc539efaf53/1416116034946/CWMALL.jpg)

Chewacla State Park - Auburn, AL (http://www.camp-sorba.org/trails/chewacla-state-park/)

Tannehill Historic Ironworks State Park  - Birmingham, AL (http://bump.org/trails/tannehill/)

Lake Guntersville State Park - NE Alabama (http://www.alapark.com/lake-guntersville-state-park-hiking-trails)

Monte Sano State Park - Huntsville, AL (http://www.alapark.com/Monte-sano-state-park-trails)

Any feedback or suggestions are much appreciated!
« Last Edit: May 01, 2015, 01:13:17 AM by kurtisk »

Offline $irWattZZZZ

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I would check out the pinhotis and Bear creek in Ellijay Ga, Aska/stanley gap in Blue Ridge Ga. Bull/Jake Mtn. in Dahlonega Ga. and the Tanasi trail system at the Ocoee white water center in Tn.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2015, 12:31:20 PM by Monstahxrozzz »

Offline JasonS

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I would also add Blankets Creek near Woodstock, GA. Fun trails, well signed, trails for all levels.

Offline Dcluley

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2nd Blankets Creek.  Also, Chicopee Woods in Gainesville, GA is great, but that may be a little too east for your trip.
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Offline kurtisk

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Thanks for the input!

Tanasi Trail System looks promising and looks to be in the right area near Chattanooga.  I will look into it more.

Blankets Creek looks very promising! I like the location as it is on the way to or from any trip to north GA, which I go to freq for biking and backpacking trips.  I may not put it on this trip as I am trying to get to some of the outlying trails and because it is so close to the Atlanta hub, I can get to it on many other trips.

Ultimately I am wanting to stay on the west side of the Cohutta wilderness, Elijay and Blue Ridge are out for this trip.  But I have read about Jake/Bull Mtn before and they are on the bucket list.  I will look into the Aska/Stanley trail too.

The Pinhoti trail is up around Ft. Mountain State Park, east of Chatsworth, GA.  I think these trails are more accessible from the west side of the Cohutta Wilderness, than from the east side where Elijay and Blue Ridge are located.  What I read about this trail makes it sound a little hard to follow and like it is a multiuse trail.  I have hiked extensively in the area and would not want to ride the trails.  Have you actually ridden Bear Creek and recommend it, Monstahxrozzz?  What would you compare it to locally or in GA/NC?  I have ridden and like trails in Dupont (ridgeline, Cedar Rock, Burnt Mtn, etc.), Jackrabbit Mtn, & Chicopee.  I have ridden a couple in Pisgah (north slope and Sycamore Cove) that I wouldn't go back to ride again.  I realize I am going to have to select a few of these proposed locations to ride and I am trying to confirm that you would recommend Bear Creek over some of the others, or that you would go back and ride it again.

Thanks again for any input.

Offline $irWattZZZZ

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Bear creek can be combined with pinhotti 1 and 2 for a sweet loop. If your up to it, P3 would be a sweet out and back from the bottom of P2. Or if your coming from Ft. Mtn, P3 can be accessed from the cohutta overlook just a couple miles east. The BC/Pinhotti loop is imo a must ride, for a mtn experience it is pretty buff with a few creek crossings near the bottom of BC, P2 after the initial mile or so of climbing is a DH treat. If your looking for a big ride with a little more tech, ride up BC to lake conasuga and hit Windy gap.
Some good info in this link.
http://mulberrygap.net/pinhoti-trail/#/mountain-biking-2/pinhoti-mountaintown-creek/
« Last Edit: May 04, 2015, 08:47:01 AM by Monstahxrozzz »

Offline chisel

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Would head to Ellijay area like scooter said. I am surprised  you heads liked blankets I found it to be somewhat of a let down. Chicopee on the other hand was sweet.

Offline chisel

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If you want long real mountain downhills head to the Ellijay area. Blankets and Chicopee downhills are very very short but fun runs. Bear creek is around six to seven miles of downhill with awesome scenery and great terrain .

Offline JasonS

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I agree chiz, i just always suggest Blankets b/c it is easy to navigate, well signed, and accessible. Good for those stop and ride kind of road trips.

Offline kurtisk

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More recommendations for the Elijay area...seems I will have to plan one of these trips for that area soon.  When I do I will definitely hit the Pinhoti trails on the basis of the recommendations here.

Offline Kiloxxl

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Would head to Ellijay area like scooter said. I am surprised  you heads liked blankets I found it to be somewhat of a let down. Chicopee on the other hand was sweet.
Blanket is fun but P 1,2, and 3 was great real lung busters. Chicopee is my fav..... great views

 

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