Reviewed by: ClydesdaleDave , from atlanta, ga

Summary:
Wow...despite all the nasty climbing to get there, it was like finding a hidden treasure. The Mountaintown Creek trail starts with a Pisgah-esque series of waterbar launchpads, then it gets rocky and enters a very tricky descent...walk it if its wet. Beatiful waterfall, noisy creek and dark Rhododendrum tunnels. Many big water crossings...some deep, or tricky and not rideable so plan on (and enjoy) getting wet. Quite a bit of deadfall to pass under, over or to clear off the trail. One nasty-a$$ climb back up near the lake...but that's it..so don't worry about conserving your energy. Free Advice
1. Plan on this taking a little longer than expected. The FS climbs are tough (especially for clydes) and there are lots of spots where you will get off of your bike to pass over deadfall and unrideable creeks. 2. Don't ride it alone, especially on a rainy day...I held back on some challenging areas. Plus, this is way too remote to get stranded. 3. While riding on a rainy day is fun, the technical sections would be easier/rideable on dry rocks and there were enough soft spots to feel guilty about leaving tracks. 4. 100+ oz Camelback...especially if its warm and iodine just in case. It was in the low 60s up there and I almost drained mine...but I'm also a big boy. 5. Ride with someone who has been riden it before. I was unsure of the route at the bottom and would have liked a heads-up before some technical sections. 6. Dual Suspension....this is a very rocky trail with lots of loose baby heads, roots, and stumps. The Mountaintown Creek trail itself gets 5 stars but the whole Bear Creek loop option gets 4 for too much FS road riding.

Recommended Route:
Start at the Gates Chapel / FS Bear Creek and climb up to FS road to the Bear Creek trail. Continue a little past the Gennet Poplar. A trail split w/ a sign will show "right" for Bear Creek Loop or "left" for Bear Creek Trail. I usually go left and would probably recommend going left but today I went right for a change of scenery...it also adds a little distance. Continue up the FS road to the overlook...mileage should read something between 6.5 to 7.2 mile depending on how you went. Enjoy the view, eat a goo..preferably one with double caffeine because the climb ahead (for heavier riders) is slow and long up to Potatopatch Mountain summit...about 800 more vert in less than 3 miles. Turn right at the T intersection and be treated to a series of screamin fun, bombs down the FS road with some painfull climbs for about 6 miles. Pass Three Forks trailhead and go another 2 miles or so. The trailhead is on the right and marked as the "Mountain Town Creek" trail. Simply stay on the trail until it poops you out onto a road. When you see a 4 way intersection near the lake, go straight (or wind up on some dude's property). Climb, climb, climb (this is a dirty trick at this point) stay on the road down to Gates Chapel...you will see your car to the right...clean off in the creek. The Bear Creek "Loop" option (right at the sign) plus getting turned around at the lake made my computer read 25 miles...an EPIC!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The Stanley Gap trail on Aska Rd in Blue Ridge is just outright nasty...just when you think it will lighten up on you, it slaps you again. Great technical climb training trail.

Reviewed by: brian , from Atlanta, GA

Summary:
I took advantage of unseasonally cool weather to do the 22mi loop. the miles went by very fast with gentle middle-ring hills most of the time, and some great overlooks along the way. i followed Hellbelly's directions, and was uncertain about which way to go at times, so i just stayed on the main FS road when in doubt, and it worked out. For clarification: after the gennet poplar, stay left on bear creek, dont take the loop, at the gate on bear creek, FS 64 is the road to the left. the descents on the FS road were nice for breaking up the monotony of the climb, but i got kinda chilly. also, the road had a fair amount of traffic on it, so i was always worried about coming around a blind corner and right through a windshield. luckly, the only traffic i encountered while going down was a Jeep going the same way, and passing it was quite satisfying. after a short eternity, i got to the mountain town trail head. I dropped the seat all the way down, softened up the rear shock for a plush ride, finished my granola bar, and set out down the singletrack. the waterbars provided some decent air with little effort but I was alone, so i didnt want to go too big. the waterbars ended right about the same time that i was starting to think that they would populate the entire descent. after that, the trail flattens out, and i was eventually forced to raise the saddle to pedal better. I was able to ride all but 2 or 3 water crossings, but i was rarely the right gear for climbing the other side of the creek. the rock gardens were a small challenge, but with my 5" of rear travel, picking a line means leaning back and avoiding only the biggest rocks. the descent ends all too quickly, and then it's back out on the fs road, and to the car.

Recommended Route:
bear creek to FS 64 to mouintain town.

Reviewed by: ScubaCruz , from Canton, GA

Summary:
Doing this loop, I think I've moved from beginner to intermediate! Up Bear Creek is fun and tough. A few water crossing that are ridable. It gets tougher when reach the forest road. Take the up route, as the down goes back to Bear Creek camp ground. Again, at the main forest road, go up (right) to the overlook; rocks on the left at the curve! The last mountain to the right on the range immediately in front is Fort Mountain State Park. It has the steep face! From teh overlook the next 2 miles or less are steep, steep and steep. Anyone know the elevation change on the entire loop? When the road ends at a T, you're at Potato Patch. Rest if you need to, because you have 3 or so more big hills to climb. Go right at the T. When you get to the Mountain Town overlook, you still have another mile or so, up and down, up and down, before you get to the trailhead. NOTE: TAKE THE FIRST MILE TO THE HARD LEFT SWITCHBACK WITH EXTREME CAUTION. I DIDN'T AND CUT A NICE HALF LOOP FORWARD OFF ONE OF THE BIG WATERBARS! Next time, slower! After the switchback it goes to singletrack. Now the rocky, loose, steep downhill run! Lots of trees to hop, waterbars to hop, rocks to hop! 4 or 5 of the 13 or more creek crossing were up above the knees and unrideable. Hold on to your carbon fiber if you try... the creek will float it way if you let it! We were there 3 days after a good rain, so it was more than usual. The 6 miles or so down goes on and on, almost forever. Riding this loop at least once a year will refresh the trill of remote, near extreme, steep mountain biking! **Be safe an tell someone you are riding and when you will be back! The sooner they come looking for you, the sooner they will find you! The guys at Cartercay Bike Shop in downtown Ellijay are you best bet for sending help! Better yet, ride with a partner or two! Luckily, I only got road rashed and brusied down my backside and one broken spoke from my half loop flop. I think the Santa Cruz Superlight needs a little for dialing in before I try that one again!

Recommended Route:
Park at the bottom off Gates Chapel Road. Go up Bear Creek's single track all the way to the overlook. Continue up the road to the "T" at Potato Patch. Go right. Stay one the forest road till you reach Mountain Town Creek trailhead / sign. Then it's all the way down to Gates Chapel Road and right to your vehicle.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Ellijay area is pack with great trails... I've just begun to branch out! Too many to name... for now, this loop is king!