Black Dome’s Asheville Outdoors Guide

By Alex Cole

Tis’ the season for riding seasonal trails. Many people don’t know this, but the Forest Service closes certain Pisgah National Forest trails to mountain bikes during the warmer “peak” months. Mountain bikers can only ride those trails from October 15 through April 15. So for all of us who follow the rules, winter means lots of seasonal trails ready for the taking.

Two other things make winter mountain biking even more appealing:

First of all, the views this time of year are stunning. Try Butter Gap or Long Branch to Cat Gap for sweet views of Johns Rock. You would have to be a little slow like me on these super fun downhills to see the views… or just make sure you stop and smell the snowflakes along the way, perhaps.

The second reason is a biggie: fewer people. Between April and October these hills are filled with folks, and for good reason… the beautiful greenery, wildflowers, and moderate temperatures… and then, of course, come the leaf peepers.

Once all the leaves are gone, however, we’re left with the brown, leafless mountains. But if you are a true lover of this place, you know the beauty of frosty mountains in the distance and the brisk wind of a ridge top.
Stepping out to ride becomes a whole new joy. Pedaling up your most difficult climb can burn your lungs, but in the best way possible. You can ascend to trails not rideable in spring and summer, descending with far less traffic. And all the while catching views previously unseen.

On even more special days, the snow flurries will fall your way. What could possibly be more fun than finding your way down a trail in the snow? I’m sure there are a lot of folks who would say something else, but it contains so much beauty. A lot of people go out expecting summery warmth and green trees when they think of adventure, but I hope to encourage a new kind of exploration for those who are afraid of the cold. Ten minutes out on a bike or run or hike and you can be warm as pie… and if not, Black Dome can help.

Try some wool baselayers on your next trip up to the top of your favorite mountain… they mean business for temperature management and comfort level. I usually opt for a lightweight zip-neck for the most versatility and the zip is great for ventilation when you’re burning up a climb. As a rule of thumb, I always have a wind jacket and/or vest in my Camelbak for brisk descents and unexpected weather changes.

With the right gear and a little research, you’ll find a whole new wildness in the Blue Ridge this time of year.

WHICH TRAILS ARE SEASONAL?

Trails Illustrated maps mark seasonal trails with an “S” under the Trail Use column of their trail guides.

The web site “Mountain Biking in Western North Carolina” will also label seasonal trails in its descriptions of local mountain biking trails.

Note how uncrowded the parking lot is here at the Trace Ridge Trailhead. You can’t find this much parking in the warm season!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 6th, 2006 at 12:43 pm and is filed under Biking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.