MtbREVIEW.com supports IMBA and responsible riding. Please submit only legal
trails to our list. If you discover a trail posted on this site that is not
open for public mountain biking, please email our IMBA friends at
info@imba.com with detailed info.
They'll help us remove the unauthorized trail from the site.
Click here for info about keeping our trails open.
If this is the correct location, click "Save Point" below or type the nearest location (country, city, Zip, or land mark) and the map will pan over to the location if the location is found.
Save Point
Go to Nearest Location:
Lat:
Lng:
Mountain Lake Conservancy Trail System
1 reviews
5 of 5
The Mountain Lake Conservancy manages 2,600 acres of mountainous terrain that encompasses a very unique ecosystem due to the average elevation of over 4,000'. More than twenty miles of fern-lined trails on the property are now open to the public for biking and hiking year-round.
The 20 or so miles of trails that lay at the heart of the property are frequented during the winter by back country skiers as they hold the only snow in the area during the coldest months.
New for 2008 is 3.5 miles of technical single track to challenge even the the most expert riders. More new single track is being planned.
There are also over 35 miles of fire road and jeep track available from the trail head. Perfect for endurance training, the jeep trails are rocky and technical with hard climbs and fast descents. Much of it parallels the AT.
Parking passes are available (day-use = $3, yearly = $25). All fees are used to build new single track, maintain and improve existing trails, and fund the construction of a new pump track and MTB skills park being planned for Spring 2008.
These trails are home to the 'Dirty Dawg MTB Race', held in June. This is the sister race to the famous 'Rowdy Dawg MTB Race' and is well on it's way to becoming one of the region's favorite courses.
Due to the high elevation, this is a perfect place for mid-summer riding. Temperatures are typically 10-15 degrees cooler than at nearby Pandapas Pond Recreation Area.
To find the day-use parking area, drive 15 minutes West of Blacksburg on 460, and follow the signs up to Mountain Lake on your right. Climb the mountain (you'll gain 2,000') to the Mountain Lake Hotel and continue on around the lake, the road turns to gravel, climb the hill and at the top you will see a parking area on your right.
The $3 parking fee is on the honor system. Please do your part to help sustain this unique trail area. Custom trail maps are available at the Conservancy office next to the hotel, and also at East Coasters Bike Shop in Blacksburg.
See the map from the 2007 Dirty Dawg MTB Race below...
http://www.inhardy.com/maps/DirtyDawgMap.html
For more info please visit...
www.MtnLakeConservancy.org
Summary: These trails are perfect for XC riding with your pals or even your family. Once you get familiar with the different technical qualities of the terrain around the mountain it is easy to pick a route that will suit the type of ride you are looking for. You'll find trails for kids, raw beginners and even hammerhead adults to get excited about.
Be ready for sudden weather changes and pack for cooler temps as the altitude can bring cold wet fog, snow or wind with little warning. The trails tend to stay clear of mud due to the sandstone rich geology and lower intensity use due to the system's distance from larger populations.
Bring extra inner-tubes if riding the more technical trails, they are rocky and pinch flats are not uncommon.
Beware that cell phones work on about half of the property.
Recommended Route: Come out and explore. The 2007 Dirty dawg MTB Race route is a favorite.
You can pick an easy route or one that maxes out your skill level. There are many scenic overlooks to scope out.
Other recommended trails in the same area: The Butt Mountain Loop is a 24 mile fire road/jeep track ride that will make you appreciate that full-suspension XC race bike you invested in. Pays off with a nice view next to the old fire tower of the New River and westward.
Would you like to Comment? Join MTBR.com for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
5 of 5
5 of 5
3 of 5
4 of 5
