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Panthertown Valley area
1 reviews
4 of 5
Panthertown is a wild area with many trails and goat paths in it. It is advised to get a map from the local outfitter, if not, you may end up in the valley for a coupe of days. I would also carry a GPS (if available) to mark important intersections so you can return to these if you get lost or the next time you visit the valley. The recommended route is to enter the valley from the Salt Rock Gap trailhead. Follow the fast downhill fire road about a mile into the valley. At the the first major intersection, hang a left onto Black rock road/trail. Follow this to its intersection with another fire road. Hang a right onto this fire road. After a short ride on the road, there is a fork to the left that travels over an old bridge, hang this left. Follow this road all the way up to the other trailhead for Panthertown, Cold Mountain Gap. At the gate, ride around to the road and hang a right. You will soon come to another entrance, sometimes also referred to as the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead...they are both about a 2 minute walk from each other. Turn right into this entrance and immediately look for a goat path to your left that heads down the mountain. At the base of the mountain, turn right at a sandy intersection to cross the stream. Follow this technical trail for a short climb up to Mack''s Gap where you hang a right to stay on the correct singletrack. This fun singletrack will drop you back to the main road in the valley in about a mile or so. Turn left and begin the grueling climb back to the Salt Rock Gap trailhead. This is a simliar to a route described in an early "Off the Beaten Track: Smokies" mountain bike guide. I think it was labelled as "Boggy Hollow". This area is truly not for the weak at heart or legs. Panthertown can reward you with some thrilling rides, and demoralize you with some rutted out roads and evil climbs. I have biked all over this area; Pisgah, Tsali, Fontana, etc...this is on par with some of the rides in each of these locations. Dont attempt unless you love these other areas...beginners tend to hate this area because of some of the technical riding, ruts, mud, climbs and also because they always get lost! Be prepared:) After you have figured this ride out, try the rest of the roads and bigger trails on the map...there are at least 30 miles of trails in the area to explore, but some are remote, long and tough. Enjoy!
From Cashiers, take US 64 east towards Sapphire/Rosman about 2-3 miles. Turn left onto Cedar Creek Road. Follow this for about 2-3 miles till it intersects a couple of gravel roads. Turn right onto Breedlove Rd...there is a forest service sign for Panthertown at this intersection. Follow this about 5 miles or so to the end of the road and the Salt Rock Gap trailhead.
Summary: Plenty of trails to ride in this area. Some on rock outcrops, some by creeks. It is very hard to get lost in the area but a map is advised to optimise your time.
Back then when I mapped the area for the Forest Service in 1998, several camp sites were available for overnight sleeping.
An advise, If Carlton is still around, ask him...
Recommended Route: all of them
Other recommended trails in the same area: Tsali, Clemson Forest....
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