Review Date
July 20, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: hammermtb ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The trail was very challenging at times, especially on the advanced loop. The beginner loop is a tough one if you are just starting out, but I would recommend that you dont let it demotivate you. The cardio toll that the complete course took on my body wasnt entirely too bad, however the muscular strength and endurance is where the course hammered in its respect. There are alot of very challening descents/climbs on the Advanced loop and would only recommend that after a few times of riding the intermediate loop. All in all, great course, just make sure you take your own toilet paper...port-a-let was out.

Recommended Route:
for Hamilton Creek newcomers, take the beginner route and follow it to the intermediate. Stay away from the Advanced unless you have ridden there a few times. the beginner route really gives you a feel for what is to come on the intermediate course.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Loch 4 Mountain Bike Park and Montgomery Bell

Review Date
May 5, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: homerjones ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Primary trailhead is at Hamilton Creek Park, off Bell Rd. There are basicly two loops. The first being "beginners" that becomes "intermediate". There is an out route at the beginning of the intermediate. About the only difference between beg. and inter. is log crossing and slightly steeper climbs.

The second loop is "advanced", and marked well off of the intermediate loop crest. Beginner and intermediate trails are windie with some rock and roots. The advanced is more skill and endurance demanding. Compared to other trails in the area, more rock crossing, climbs, and drops. Good news is, to qoute the friend that first talked me into trying it, "There's nothing that you can't walk or ride around." If it looks scary, walk it or bipass it. Find a friendly line and ease through. It's all do-able and lots of fun. It will hurt you if you're not careful. In middle Tennessee, it's my favorite. Great confidence builder. Doing a full lap with no blood is something to be proud of. I was.

The down side is that it doesn't drain well. It takes two or three days of warm, breezy weather, after a mild rain to ride without trail damage and muck.

Recommended Route:
My favorite route is right (counter-clockwise) on each loop.

The easiest is left (clockwise) through the beg./inter. and right (clockwise) through the advanced. The later gets you to the advanced entry quicker, with fresher legs. Fresh legs are good in the advanced.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I rank Mongomery Bell (White Bluff) a close second. Not nearly as techically demanding but lots of climbs and run-downs.

Lock 4 (Gallatin) is fast and flow-ie.

Bear Wheels at Defeated Creek (Carthage) is similar with the toughest climb this side of Raccoon Mt.

Chickasaw Trace (Fairview) is challenging. Spray for chiggers in the summer.

Then there's Raccoon Mt. (Tiftonia) that's not exactly "in the area" but combines the best of all of the above in a 16 mile loop.

Review Date
November 28, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Cyclopod ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I'm used to riding the Central FL trails but I've had a chance to ride several trails in GA, TN and SC. I rode Hamilton Creek while visiting friends during Turkey day weekend. The premier features here are the rocks. While on hardpack, HC makes for decent intermediate level riding with a good share of climbing and flowy trails. The rocks, on the other hand, makes for really fun and technical riding. At a couple of points I couldn't help but to reconsider the penalty for failure at most of the jumps and along some of the rock (boulder)gardens. I fared well but my buddy paid up with a good face plant. This will make for an excellent place to dial in your FS bike and hone your technical riding skills. Don't miss the section known as the Mayan Pyramid.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Only other places I've ridden in TN is Chilhowee/Ocoee trail system. A few hours away. If there, the Clear Creek trail will make you suffer.

Review Date
May 20, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: hkt ,  Racer

Summary:
i came looking for a decent trail and thats is what i found. the eaiser trail was fun and not too hard. just alot of rocks and roots. no problem. now the harder trail was like trying to find ur way through a fricken maze. no markers, no specified direction, no nothing. the trail head parking fot it was closed so u had to bike far just to get there. it wasnt' hard though, just frustrating.

Recommended Route:
the easier trail, then go to montgomery bell for some real ridin.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
montgomery bell all the way

Review Date
January 14, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: notChris ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Its a really good singletrack trail. The sign at the beggining of the trail says it all, advanced begginer to intermediate for the first loop. Then under Bell road to the advanced which I have yet to do. It has some altitude changes, lots of rock gardens, a few parts where you can relax, but mostly technical. It is in very good condition the few times I have been out. I just started riding again and have lost most all of my skills. I have been on it about three times. Make sure to take a map, or look at the map. Dont get stuck out there after dark. I got lost at night, which I dont normally get lost on trails. (it was peaceful though?) So, I am going to try to learn this trail and its a great place to become technical again. See you bikers out there!

Recommended Route:
I have been going counter clockwise, to the right at the beggining. The first loop is a good bit of riding. If you are short on time, there is a connector trail about halfway through the first loop you can take to get back to the trailhead.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
none yet.