When I first posted this ride in September of ’08, I was aware that DSF land managers tolerated, though they did not like, locals’ use of the un-mapped power line trail connecting Pine Tree Trail at Staton Road with the east leg of Cedar Rock Trail. On a 15 April ’09 ride, I discovered that DSF personnel had erected a fence to discourage the locals who were still sneaking onto the power line. The route below has been edited to use only ‘approved’ trails as shown on the official DSF map…

TZ

Burnt the Long Way

This ride hits Cedar Rock Trail and Burnt Mountain Trail, two mountain biking favorites on Dupont State Forest. It leaves, however, from an almost unknown parking area (Rich Mountain Road) and covers (out and back) a couple miles of hand-cut single track and little-used jeep trail that are a great addition to an already good ride.

Getting there: Zero your trip odometer at the intersection of US-64, US-276, and NC280 just north of Brevard. Drive south (toward Brevard) via US-64 & US-276. At 2.9 miles be in the right-hand lane and bear right to stay on US-276. At 3.4 miles, turn left to stay on US-276, and follow US-276 through Brevard and south toward Cedar Mtn. At 7.7 miles pass Mud Dabbers Pottery. At 9.6 miles pass Connestee Falls. At 13.7 miles pass the Cedar Mtn Post Office. At 14.2 miles turn L onto Rich Mtn Rd. At 15.3 miles pass Deer Chase. At 16.0 miles (middle of hairpin turn) park in small (unmarked) gravel lot on right.

0.00 Pick up Cannon Creek Tr at left side of parking area

0.25 Bridge

0.47 Stream crossing

0.87 Bear R at slab to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

1.10 Bear R at slab to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

1.20 Straight to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

1.36 Straight onto Buckhorn Creek Rd

1.49 Stream crossing

1.64 Straight to stay on Buckhorn Creek Rd

2.16 R (and downhill) onto Quarry Rd (Note: the ‘dead end’ just across Quarry Rd and its first left lead to the quarry sneak trail which rejoins this route at mile 2.30. You’re on your own following the sneak, but it’s pretty well marked with cairns after the edge of the quarry. The sneak is not an approved trail, and I cannot tell people about it! Besides, you might fall into the big hole and hurt yourself! Do not yield to this temptation! Adjust your bike computer mileage (to 2.30) when you turn left to rejoin this route if you take the sneak…)

2.64 R onto Micajah Tr

3.04 L onto Wilkie Tr

3.42 Around cable and L onto Cascade Lake Rd

3.47 R onto Corn Mill Shoals Tr

3.51 Straight, staying on Corn Mill Shoals Tr

3.58 L onto Big Rock Tr

4.42 R onto Cedar Rock Trail’s south leg

5.02 R onto Little River Tr (Stop here briefly to wipe the silly grin off your face and to rest your forearms. Don’t let either leg touch either brake rotor–they’ll be hot!)

5.56 Hard L onto Corn Mill Shoals Tr

5.80 Straight onto Burnt Mtn Tr

7.94 R onto Corn Mill Shoals, then immediate L onto Little River Tr (Silly grin facial adjustments may again be needed…)

8.51 Straight, staying on Little River Tr

9.12 L onto Cedar Rock Trail’s east leg

9.34 L under power line and up rock slab into woods, staying on Cedar Rock Tr

10.09 R onto Big Rock Tr

10.93 R onto Corn Mill Shoals (And yet another silly grin adjustment…)

11.00 R onto Longside Tr

11.18 R, staying on Longside Tr

11.78 L onto Pine Tree Tr

12.00 L onto pavement

12.13 R onto Quarry Rd

12.37 L onto Micajah Tr

12.70 R, staying on Micajah Tr

13.10 R onto Buck Ridge Tr

13.80 L onto Buckhorn Creek Tr

14.32 L to stay on Buckhorn Creek Rd

14.77 Stream crossing

14.61 Bear R onto Cannon Creek Tr

14.75 Straight to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

14.85 Bear L to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

15.08 Bear L to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

15.26 R to stay on Cannon Creek Tr

15.49 Stream crossing

15.71 Bridge

15.96 The End!

Note: should you find errors in this route, or should you find notes that can be stated more clearly, please contact me with that info. And if you use the route instructions and enjoy the ride, I’d like to hear that, too! TZ