Description
If you are looking for a backcountry XC experience and want to work on your skills, then this is the perfect place for you. Catamount Trail is pretty much the main event. It undulates through lush forest. That doesn’t leave it without fun flow sections though! All the gates are 36” wide so make sure you measure your bike before heading out there.
Staging
The parking lot is flat and surfaced with a crushed refined aggregate, which is somewhere between gravel and asphalt. No painted spaces. There is an accessible and clean primitive vault toilet. No running water. The gate to access the trail has an easy ride around.
Crushed aggregate surface. Not too bad getting around.
Easy ride around to the left
Recommended Routes
Trails
In order of Recommended Route
Lookout Mountain Road (aMTB1) - this is basically a service road used to access Catamount Trail. The gates have easy ride ride arounds. It’s not even 400ft of ascent. Super mellow overall.
Lost Creek Trail (aMTB1) - This trail will be used briefly for the recommended aMTB1 route for solo riders to bypass Catamount trail (Mid). It’s a wide open service road. Should probably be purple instead of blue on TrailForks actually.
Catamount Trail (Backside) (aMTB1) - Trailhead gate is 36” wide. Beware hidden obstacles in the overgrowth. Beginners and less able riders may encounter some minor off-camber in the beginning. About a third of the way down is a fun flow section which can be lapped via Catamount Trail (Backside Return). There is one switchback turn after a bridge which will require a multi-point turn. Be sure to consult POI’s so it’s coming and line up the approach.
Buck Mountain Loop (aMTB1) - This trail overall is rated aMTB3 - support needed - due to seasonal mud bogs and a steep, loose, rooty section on the south portion, but this route only requires a very short section to be used. That section is basically wide open gravel road.
Catamount Trail (Backside, Lower) (aMTB1) - The gate at the entry point has a large down tree on one side and seems narrower than 36”. I was able to squeak through. Be sure to measure your bike before heading out there or bring support. The trail in its entirety is machine built and all good. Trail exit gate is 36”.
Catamount Trail (Backside Return) (aMTB1) - This trail is used to lap the fun flow section on Catamount Trail Backside. The switchback turns at the end will require multi-point turns. The re-entry back into the flow section from the return trail requires a little bit of an awkward turn/maneuver.
Catamount Trail (Upper) (aMTB1) - Trailhead gate is 36” wide. This section is machine built and has some fun flow to it.
Access Road (aMTB1) - Solo riders will use this to bypass Catamount Trail (Mid). Its a wide open service road.
Catamount Trail (Mid) (aMTB2) - Trailhead gate is 36” wide. This section is hand built. It’s beautiful and very fun if you have a support rider, at least for the first time to see if you are all good. I did not need assistance, but a lot of riders might. There is significant off-camber and other potential challenges. Solo riders should use the Access Road listed above and Root Wad to bypass.
Root Wad (aMTB1) - Short section of connector trail linking Lookout Mountain road to Catamount Trail (Lower)
Catamount Trail (Lower) (aMTB1) - This section is machine built and all good.
Newt Loop (aMTB1) - Machine built and zero issues. This trail is used to access the skills area. Its also a great trail for a test run for a new rider.
Skills Connector (aMTB1) - Super quick connector to the Rabbit Hole trailhead. Can also be used to access some of the skills trails. Great lunch spot!
Rabbit Hole (aMTB2) - This Trail has 13 switchback turns and a ton of exposed off-camber. I did not need assistance, but a lot of riders might want a spot here and there. Bring a support rider at least the first time. Best to avoid for solo riders. The gate at the end is 36” wide.
Smith Creek Trail (aMTB1) - I have not ridden this trail in its entirety, so I’m not sure about the rest of it. The short section used to climb from the bottom of Rabbit Hole to 214 Trail is wide open with no issues.
214 Trail (aMTB1) - I have not ridden this trail in its entirety, so I’m not sure about the rest of it. The short section used to climb from Smith Creek Trail to the main trailhead is wide open with no issues.
Corner to Corner (aMTB1) - This is a skills trail designed to help with pumping and cornering. Be careful getting too much speed. I ended up off trail. Fun and flow and great way to work on your skills.
29 Turns (aMTB1) - You read that correctly: 29 turns! This trail has 29 switchback turns, a couple of them uphill, and is designed to help with building skill in navigating switchback turns. At the time of this blog it was significantly overgrown, but was all fine. A lot of using the rear brake to turn by sliding the rear wheel!
Skills Area (aMTB1) - I’m saying aMTB1 on this because its wide open, despite the overgrowth, but you’re gonna need suspension and clearance. This is basically rock crawling skills. If you are unsure, start with the green and work your way up to the blue and black.
Advanced Drops (not suitable for aMTB) - Until the drops can be rebuilt wider, they are just too narrow. If you have a narrow wheel base, try the green one and see, but most riders should avoid until further notice. One of my wheels slid off the side. Luckily it was the green and only a few inches high.
Videos
