Review Date
November 6, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: tgw1trk ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Very challenging trail. I only had a couple of hours so I wasn't able to ride the entire "301" trail. Instead I did the "302" trail, then took the 301 back to the bike parking area/trailhead. This took took about an hour and a half. The 302 drops down into a deep valley, and the descent is very technically difficult. Many switchbacks, and a roadbed comprised of loose golfball to softball sized rocks. I found it difficult to impossible to maintain much speed at all. The topographical map shows this as a 1ooo' drop. This is followed by a 1ooo' switchback climb with a similar road surface. I road it in autumn, when the climb not only had the loose rocks, but also piles of leaves, making many parts unrideable. I pushed up on foot probably 1/3 of this climb. Not the most rideable trail, but definetely a supreme workout. And I've ridden a lot trails around the SE, and no other trail can match this one in scenary. I'm looking forward to coming back and riding the entire 301 trail (map says 4+ hours). There is also a short/beginer lake loop.

Recommended Route:
Entrance to park is between Chatsworth and Ellijay. Bear in mind that cyclists need a seperate permit to ride the trails. I stopped in the office to get a map and ask where the bike parking lot was. The guy in the office said NOTHING about any bike trail permit to me, the 1st I knew about it was a sign out on the trail saying riders without permits would be prosecuted. Kind of a bummer. BE SURE TO GET A MAP! You'll be totally lost without it. Signs on trail are good.

Review Date
March 28, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: ou98dtbiggs ,  Racer

Summary:
I road the trail starting at the bike park n' ride, and went on the 302. I went down the 302 switchbacks and then right down, down, down, then up, up, up, up. I would go from 25mph(scared to go faster) to 3 yes 3
mph I went 3-4mph for 2miles up this mountain. I am a high placing sport rider and only managed around 7mph. I was a little scared at one point cause I was by myself, and you can't get back to the park very easily. I was doing the down hill Power line stuff, was crazy steep(with rocks etc.., it)kept going down,down, down. My ass was hanging over my rear wheel, and my legs were starting to ache from flexing for so long. At the end of the ride I did this hard switch back(302) that I started the ride going down; I did it going
up. I got a standing ovation from 4 hiker women at the top who had
just hiked it, I was pretty happy to make it up that(no dabs) with the
rocks and roots. A good ride for those in shape, not single track though. I would do it again.

Recommended Route:
Take 302-to the 301 then back up the 302(against flow though) to the road 16-17miles

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Carters Lake was nice up and downs 7miles.

Review Date
October 28, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: jalford32765 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
If you are looking for wicked single track trails, this trail is not for you. But for a double track trail, this place is very hard. The downhill section of the 302 trail is extremely steep and loaded with loose large rocks. Very hard riding. Then, the end of the 301 trail is a very long, steep up hill climb. In between these two section are some fun areas, but still only double track trails. The scenery is very nice. Overall, I will do this trail again.

Review Date
March 20, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Dirtman ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Man! This trail is sick! I am referring to trail #301 (that has the powerline downhill section) My wife and I went after not being able to locate Stanley Gap. We start out at about 1:30/1:45pm or so. This trail will take all of 4 - 5 hours to complete the lil over 14 mile adventure. Well unless you are SUPERMAN! It was alright for the first 6-7 miles, then came the POWERLINE Drop - a VERY STEEP, Loose rock, Not smooth at all, very trecherous. I had my saddle resting on my CHEST for a lot of the realy rocky loose parts.

You have to be some sort of olympian to ride this trail completely! I will not be going back there again.

Recommended Route:
It would probably be a great ride going the opposite way, except for the eventual POWERLINE Ascent, which would exhaust the crap out of you!!!! I agree with the previous post - the 11 mile climb will CUSH YOU! My wife an I barely got out of there with some day light, WHEW! Not really that much FUN! VERY VERY SCENIC THOUGH!!!!!! Took lots of pics! If you go be aware and do take a map despite it being very well marked! Have fun!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Pinoti Trail at Bear Creek is a lot of fun!

Review Date
January 8, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: kiwiboy31 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is tough. You're a man if you can ride this and survive. The main downhill is cool and scary at the same time. The uphill from mile 10 - 12 will complete your destruction. Great views, well marked (take the map).

Only took and hour to get there from Kennesaw.