Reviewed by: hiclmbr ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
AA is back and better than ever, after a good solid workday of cleaning leaves out of the ravines and clearing some branches and trees from the trail. The bridge in the bottom of the far ravine has been fixed. There is a "new" bridge at the top of the same ravine. I just rebuilt and hopefully improved what was there.I don't know how long these trail will be here, so lets ride em while we can.

Reviewed by: mntnbkr ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
FYI from the N&O...

The News & Observer
August 1, 2003

Tract at I-440 and Capital lures third developer
Author: Steve Cannon
Samantha Thompson Smith; Staff Writers

Article Text:

For the third time in as many years, a developer has big plans for a 56-acre tract off Capital Boulevard and the Beltline.

A partnership of Charlotte developer Faison & Associates, Developers Diversified Realty of Ohio and investment fund Coventry Real Estate Advisors has an option on the property with designs for stores, offices and apartments.

The land includes 47 wooded acres owned by Highwoods Properties and nine acres on Capital Boulevard that until last year was the site of a Crown Pontiac GMC Isuzu dealership.

A conceptual plan on the Web site for Developers Diversified says there is room for 500,000 square feet of commercial space -- large enough for national big-box retailers such as Target or Home Depot -- but the company said it hasn't determined how much it can build.

"Right now, we're just trying to gauge tenant interest," said Scott Schroeder, a spokesman for Developers Diversified. "The project is definitely in the predevelopment phase."

The land has had the attention of commercial developers because of its visibility from the Beltline and Capital and easy access for thousands of shoppers who live inside Raleigh's Beltline.

Target, Home Depot, Costco and Lowe's Home Improvement are among the large national retailers that have sought locations inside the Beltline during the past three years. Target plans a new store two miles west of the Highwoods site at the redeveloped North Hills Mall on Six Forks Road. Both Target and Lowe's have stores 3.5 miles north on Capital Boulevard.

Last year, Raleigh-based shopping center builder Wakefield Associates took an option to buy the 56 acres, but dropped it within a few months when it couldn't agree on a development plan with the city and potential tenants. In 2000, Texas-based apartment builder Riata Development took an option to buy Highwoods' 47 acres, but pulled out a few months later.

The site -- adjacent to the old State Farmers Market -- is surrounded largely by warehouses with very little retail. [b] The land itself is hilly and much of it is covered with woods cut by a few rough trails that have become favorites for mountain bikers. Two creeks run through the property. [/b]

If the project moves forward, it would be the third turn in the Triangle for Developers Diversified, after a Wal-Mart on Roxboro Road in north Durham and a Target under construction at Beaver Creek Commons in Apex.

Faison & Associates is redeveloping South Square Mall in Durham into a center for national retailers, including Target and Sam's Club. On Glenwood Avenue and Interstate 540, Faison is building what will be the largest Wal-Mart in the Triangle.

Coventry Real Estate Advisors is a New York-based investment fund that owns 30 properties across the country. Last month, Coventry said it planned to invest $250 million in shopping centers that would be managed by Developers Diversified.

Copyright 2003 by The News & Observer Pub. Co.

Reviewed by: Jay Jay ,  Weekend Warrior , from Raleigh

Summary:
This trail is still hanging in there thanks to some local (itb) action. It's still the best designed short track in the city (limits). It's only 3.5 miles but it will tax you....hard. Shout out to Andrew..thanks for the work maintaining this oasis!!!

Recommended Route:
When the road forks, take the path less traveled...

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Rocky Road; New Light; Crabtree

Reviewed by: SunSkyPilot , from Raleigh

Summary:
You'll see.

Recommended Route:
Start at the east side of the parking lot on meadowfield dr. Jump the berm, then work your way ne uphill to the peak. Hit the stunts up there (thanx dudes) Then head east towards the capitol blvd south off ramp and follow the ravine sw, zigzag up nw to the sky bridge. Skip the lowland sewer easement and make your own trail back west. Jump the big ditch with a fallen tree. Badass Run.

Reviewed by: Ed , from Tahiti

Summary:
Just wanted to let you guys know that me and a few buds have built 2 new bridges out here. One bridge is pretty straight forward and spans a washed out little ditch (actually didn't absolutely need it here, but it was our first practice bridge :) The second goes up and over a downed tree in the second ravine near the now delapidated sky bridge. This ravine is similar to the original kick ass ravine that everybody rides currently. We need to clean out the leaves, but it is still rideable at this point. The new ravine just hooks into the original trail. There's also so new jumps out here which are much appreciated - so go out and have some fun...

Recommended Route:
The fun one....

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The rock, the Beaver, New Lite, etc...