Review Date
June 7, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: cozmomo ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I rode this trail system for 6 out of the last 8 days... I never got bored, but I always got worked over! Today I rode the Poverty Creek trail until you hit Royale, and climbed all the way to Prickly Pear... From there, I rode skullcap, trillium & then joined back up with poverty creek and rode it out to the end. After that, I joined the gravel rode and followed it back to the closest point I could get back on poverty creek & to the parking lot then to Horse Nettle then to Snake Root, & finally back to the parking lot via poverty creek. My computer measured 20.8 miles. So, there are probably around 25-30 miles of trail, since I didn't actually ride every nook and cranny.

All that being said, I would say that if you want super technical riding, you'll find it here. The first loop I rode on the prickly pear section thru trillium is pretty technical. If you reverse the route, it's much tougher since you have to climb the rock gardens instead of descend them. If you are a cross country purist, and rock gardens aren't your thing, stick with poverty creek or horse nettle. They are all excellent trails in their own right and I highly recommend riding here. I really enjoy the mix of trails, and the people who use the area all seem to be very nice. I give this area an A+ I am fortunate to have in-laws in the area, and if I need to get away(which is everyday), I head out to the trails and pound out several hours of killer riding.

Next time I am in the area, I will try "Mountain Lake" and "Dragons Back" as some of the locals highly recommended them. I would have done that this time, but I like to get to know a trail system intimately so that I can fully enjoy it. There isn't enough time to do that on three systems in one week. I hope this review helps anyone reading!

BTW, Snake Root has a notorious reputation and deserves every ounce of respect you've got. My brakes were so hot by the time I got done with the singletrack portion of the descent, that when I sprayed a few drops of water on the rotors, it steamed right off!

Recommended Route:
Today I rode the Poverty Creek trail until you hit Royale, and climbed all the way to Prickly Pear... From there, I rode skullcap, trillium & then joined back up with poverty creek and rode it out to the end. After that, I joined the gravel rode and followed it back to the closest point I could get back on poverty creek & to the parking lot then to Horse Nettle then to Snake Root, & finally back to the parking lot via poverty creek. My computer measured 20.8 miles.

Review Date
April 12, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: jbgilm ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I was at Brush Mountain for the first time this week, and it is great. Went up Horse Nettle Trail, which is mostly boring but is a straightforward route to the top. Came down Snakeroot Trail twice. It is a lot of fun. I asked someone in a bikeshop if it was better to go up or down Snakeroot, and he said it is "terrifying in either direction." That's because there is a long section where there trail is very narrow and cuts across steep slopes, descending gradually. If you go off the trail, it would be bad because you would likely slide a long way. I did not mind this section, but someone I was riding with seriously hated this section of the trail. Farther down, it becomes a fire road and you can fly. If you don't like the lower section of trail, you don't have a pulse. Returned to the parking lot on Poverty Creek Trail.

Review Date
February 3, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: doubleB ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Great trails! Home of the 'Rowdy Dawg MTB Race'. definitely something for everyone - this trail has created many a mountain biking addict. If you can master the most brutal techno-single track on this mountain you can ride anything else in the country with total confidence.

If you have any questions about routes - get a map at www.EastCoasters.com they are the local bike shop in Blacksburg. They'll set you straight.

Recommended Route:
Get out and ride - you'll spend an entire summer finding your favorite route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Mountain Lake Conservancy Trail System - 10 mins. west
www.MtnLakeConservancy.org

Review Date
May 28, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: eedavis ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Topo map at http://www.weaselworks.org/pandapas/ (Linked from LBS' web site, and under Pandapas trail here on MTBR.)

Lots of route combinations for trail riders, with a good range of difficulty. Most of the trails are in very good condition, except Jacob's Ladder has sections that are washed out enough that it'd be nearly impossible (for me, anway) to ride up. Going down, you'll fly right over the rough stuff.

Recommended Route:
Access from Pandapas access area on 460 is easier on your legs, that way you can decide how many times you want to climb to the ridge to the top of Old Farm, Jacob's Ladder and Snakeroot. You can ride out and back on Poverty Creek and/or the trails that branch off from it.

But if you have the legs and lungs to deal with the climbs, you'd be happier starting at the bottom of Old Farm/Gateway. Ride up Old Farm, down Jacob's Ladder or Snakeroot to Poverty Creek. From there you have lots of route options. I'd specifically recommend a trip down Royale from Road 708 back to Poverty Creek. Save a little energy for the climb up Snakeroot, then roll back down Old Farm. Watch out for hikers on the way down Old Farm, the sight lines seem to be shorter on this trail than others in the system.

Review Date
April 18, 2007

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Reviewed by: gobriango ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I thought the trails were beat. Not much in the way of anything. A few long climbs with no real payoff. Trails were either jeep road or over grown. It's alway possible I missed something but I rode everything that was recommended to me.

I would NOT go back.

Comments

doubleB (02/03/2008)

Dude, you MISSED it. I don't know how. Find a local - go back, and get the tour.

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