Cartecay Bike Shop - Bear Creek

Bear Creek - 14 miles (as we suggest); Skill level - Intermediate

Click HERE for MAP!

This trail has technical singletrack, a few stream crossings, the Gennett Poplar tree (400 years old) and a spectacular view from the overlook.  The ride is 7 miles uphill (not too steep) to the overlook, and a killer 7 mile descent back to the car!

Directions to trail: From the shop, take Hwy 52 west to mile marker 8 (on left side of the road); turn right onto Gates Chapel; go 5.4 miles to small bridge; park on the side of the road. (Please do not use the side of the road as an outhouse or changing facility!  Our local neighbors don't appreciate the sights!)

From the parking area, ride up the gravel road, bearing left at the sign for the Bear Creek trail approx. 1 1/2 miles to the trailhead (there is a small parking area at the trailhead, but we always ride the gravel road as a warm-up).  Follow the sign at the trailhead onto the singletrack.  After crossing a small, rocky creek, stay left at the sign for the Bear Creek Loop trail.  After climbing two short whoops right beside the creek, follow the hard left switchback uphill (do NOT cross the logs and continue straight). Continue up the singletrack to the forest service gate.  At the grassy clearing, continue to the LEFT, uphill on the doubletrack.  After crossing through a wide but shallow creek, go left downhill to the gate and onto the gravel road.  Turn right on the gravel road and continue up approx. 1/2 mile to the overlook.  Enjoy the view!  Continue to ride up the gravel road another couple hundred yards to the sign for the upper parking lot.  Turn into the lot and follow the singletrack trail downhill.  There are several hard switchbacks and the trail will dump you out back at the wide shallow creek.  Continue the ride back downhill the same way you climbed up!  Woohoo!

Click HERE to go to the MTBR.com trail reviews of this trail!