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Bear Creek
59 reviews
4.15 of 5
Fire roads, Spectacular Views, stream crossings, technical singletrack, Gennett Poplar (400 year old tree...very big)
From Atlanta, take 575 north to GA 52 west. From milepost 8 on 52 west, take County Road #65 north for 5.4 miles. After crossing small bridge at 5.4 mile mark, park in grass on the side of the road. Take FS 68 to the trail head...singletrack begins here.
Summary: Rode Bear Creek Loop and Bear Creek Trail (July 4, 2005). The loop seemed to be in good condition. The ATV roads were a little overgrown, but the part near the creek was fine. No problems on Bear Creek Trail.
Recommended Route: We parked just over the small bridge on the side of the road in the grass. There is an entrance to the park on the right hand side of the road as you cross the bridge.
Follow this road either by bike or car to the trail head: Bear Creek Trail. Do not make the fisrt right onto the trail as you come up on the parking lot, you will regret it. (it is a 400 foot climb straight up hill) Continue straight and take Bear Creek Trail until you come to a fork in the trail. You will see signs for both Bear Creek Trail or Bear Creak Loop.
For the Loop: Go right at the fork it will take you to an ATV road. Hang and right and follow until you see a trail leading back into the woods. This will take you down the 400 ft part I talked about earlier and loop you back to where you started. Very cool DH.
For the Trail: Go left at the fork (actually continue straight). And keep riding. You will come to Bear Creek loop or FS68. Take FS68 for some spectacular views, but be ready to climb. We continued on FS68 until a T intersection at or near the top of this mountain, then turned around for an amazing downhill ride. Elevation at T-intersection 3170ft. Elevation at car 1300ft.
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Recommended Route: Ride Bear Creek loop to the top of the Forest Service Road, take Bear Creek Trail on the way back for some good singletrack.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Mountain Creek Trail is supposed to be in the area but couldn't find it. There is a good bike shop in town in a shopping center after Walmart (coming from Atlanta) Stop by there for some maps and good advice.
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Summary: This trail is a medium workout for an avid rider.I have rode it about three times and it is a beatiful area full of rhodadendrums.It reminds me of a rain forest its kinda dark and somewhat wet in some areas but certainly worth the trip.In some parts the rhodadendrums are so thick its like going through a tunnel.Keep a lookout for the giant poplar tree and please dont carve your initials in it like some have done.
Recommended Route: Dont start off going through the creek.Go north.IT is about a 2 or 3 mile climb or so that crosses several creeks(Be prepared to get your feet wet).When you get to the top and you have 2 choices of trails go left and head for the upper parking lot about 2 or 3 more miles.There is a gorgeuos overlook on the forest service road.Go back the exact same way for an amazing down hill rush.Dont take the forest service road all the way back cause its boring.Have fun and be safe.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Stanley gap (but only if your in awesome shape) peace bro
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Review Date November 26, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: Tmack
,
Racer
Summary: Very good trail system, lots of good views and sights to see. Good training type trail with lots of climbing and downhills. Note that there is a new trail. The previous review mentioned the FS guys clearing a trail, Im assuming this is the one talked about. It does not directly connect back to the main loop, instead it goes over the ridge and connects to a FS road you can take back up to the overlook area and upper parking area, or back to the bear creek parking area. See this map: http://tmack.net/~tmack/bike/newtrail.jpg where I scribbled the approx. route (approx as in I had this map with me when I rode, and marked a few points where I thought I was along the way, no GPS). It goes up for a long time, then has some steep downhills with waterbreak logs to slow you down. Its mostly old logging road converted to trail, so moslty already hard packed, but there is still some fresh cut areas. Only has 2 small creek crossings and is about 5mi (lotsa switchbacks).
Recommended Route: Head in, take the second left fork (marker 4 on map, first left is the new trail), stay left, going up to the overlook and back down, take the right that cuts across the loop (pt 5), turn left to go back towards parking area, turn rt on new trail. Turn left on FS road to get back to parking area via main road (FS road to parking area is on the left about .5-1mi past where the pavement starts). Plan ahead, its a long one with lots of climbing...
Other recommended trails in the same area: Iron Mtn, Sumac creek, Bull Mtn
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Review Date October 23, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Scott
,
Cross Country Rider
Summary: Wednesday...I could hardly believe the Cartecay Bike Shop was closed on a Wednesday! Thank God for the Gilmer County Library on GA 52 and their temporary library cards (I had to gain internet access to this site so I could find out how to get to this trail). Speaking of which, the directions provided by the bike shop in the address listed previously are very accurate in all regards.
The trail is clear, no obstacles, trees or junk, contrary to the aforementioned review, and it was a blast. The climb to the top was nearly too much for this flat brained rider from Central Florida, but the effort was worth it. The descent was quick, rapid and clean (barring massive amounts of dried leaves on the ground) and it was dry. It is well marked and well defined. I will be back to this trail, soon.
Recommended Route: Get the info from the Cartecay Bike Shop in Ellijay and follow it.
Other recommended trails in the same area: River Loop, Chicopee Woods at the Elachee Nature Center (Gainesville) and Santos Trail in Ocala, Florida (It's only a seven hour drive).
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4.15 of 5
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