The Jackalope’s Mile , Beech Mountain. A lush, beautiful, and formerly very rooty trail. Today the Boone Area Cyclists treated the trail to some root removal. Not all roots are gone but now riders will enjoy more uninterrupted sections of the scenic trail.
Stay tuned for more info on the Beech Mountain Trails. Meanwhile, enjoy the dirt and rocks at Rocky Knob. The Rocky Branch Trail is open and the Lower Knob Trail will be opening very soon.
Mountain biking on Beech Mountain defies comparison. Trails meander through a beautifully stunted forest of twisted birch and beech trees above 5000 feet. Unlike the dense forests of Pisgah, the woods are open and covered with grass and fern. The stunning views require attention: the Northern Peaks come into view on one side as do the Roan Highlands on the other. The trails are an old school mix of twisty, turny, rooty singletrack that climb and descend constantly. If you learned to mountain bike in the late 80s and early 90s, you’ll feel like you are coming home. If you are new school, then this style will quickly add to you skill base. Perhaps most interestingly, the trails leave from town and take you into the remote Outback. This area is worth a visit.
The area also needs our help. Many of the trails are old and do not follow modern standards for sustainability. To help put some energy into the amazing potential and to assist with sustainability issues, the BAC will host a Beech Trail Day on May 21. Additionally, we are beginning discussions on a trail master plan for the mountain.
The trails on the Emerald Outback are not the only bike news on the mountain: this summer, work will begin at Ski Beech for the US National Gravity Finals. This should be an exciting event with at least one local digging the DH.
Stayed tuned for info on our work day at Beech. Until then, check out maps.
Bellingham, Washington-based Freehub Magazine visited the high country as part of their project 44 Days and Rolling. Brandon and the boys rolled into town and quickly began documenting some riding and trail building here in the high country. Their project covering the mountain bike community in the USA will debut as a series of webisodes in June. The boys toured some classics in Wilson’s and sampled Sugar’s DH. We also met up with Deno and a crew of diggers at Rocky Knob to work on a new section of trail. The crew was impressed with the work at Rocky Knob. Check out some of the action:
Bellingham, Washington-based Freehub Magazine visited Rocky Knob Park for some trail work as part of their project 44 Days and Rolling. Brandon and the boys rolled into town and quickly began documenting some riding and trail building here in the high country. Their project will debut as a series of webisodes in June. The boys toured some classics in Wilson’s and sampled Sugar’s DH. We also met up with Deno and a crew of diggers at Rocky Knob to work on a new section of trail. Check out some of the action:
Thanks to everyone who made today’s opening a day to remember.
Michael Thomas tests a berm.
We broke ground at Rocky Knob Park less than a year ago. Today, we ride the first legal mountain bike trails in Watauga County. This significant moment has come about only due to a monumental effort.
Our hard-working volunteers have logged over 1500 hours and worked with the professional trail builders to complete the initial 1.6 mile loop. We’ve held 18 Dirty Thursdays, 2 Community Work Days, and numerous special work days to finish trail, build crib walls, bridges, alternate lines, and causeways.
We are grateful for the work of our volunteers and trail builders, the support of Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and Boone Area Cyclists, and the generosity of Boone Area businesses such as Boone Bike and Touring, Magic Cycles, Stick Boy, Ray’s Weather, Black Cat, Mast Store, Bald Guy Brew, Chick Fil’A, Jimmy Johns, Earth Fare, and many others. These trails have been a community effort. Thank you.
Come on out and sample a beginning of a new era in Boone. Stay tuned for more: we have big plans for the rest of the park.
See you on the trail.
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park 