My top fav in the state to ride. The best way to ride all three trails in a row, east ridge, top north ridge, bottom north ridge is to: from woods creek rd gate, climb the gravel road through the water shed for several miles (3.6 mi). it will bring you to the gate up at the paved road . Bottom of east ridge starts here. Ride east ridge up (2.4 mi) all the way to the observation parking lot. Jump on North ridge and ride it down (3.4). When you hit the gravel road at the woods creek gate, look to the other side of the road. The bottom of north ridge continues. This is several more miles (3 mi) of pretty awesome, rolling, single track. This section sees way less traffic cause people either dont know about it or idk. But i highly recommend cause it just adds to an awesome ride. The end of the trail brings you back to woods creek road where old peak road joins. Ride woods creek 1.5 miles back to the parking lot. Now thats one awesome ride. So, in a 14 miles ride, you get 9 miles of non stop single track.
We went up the gravel road from Wood Greek access gate, then up the East Ridge Trail to the top and down the North Ridge Trail back to the start. The gravel road was a good warm-up before hitting the East Ridge Trail which is a nice uphill climb over some good obstacles and with some good side hill exposure.
There are quite a few little steep climbs, but they are not very long. Once at the top we rode up to the tower at the top of Mary's Peak. We headed down the North Ridge Trail (near parking lot entrance) and the fun begins. The trail goes down over gnarly roots, rocks, uneven surfaces, good drops, and plenty of tight switchbacks to keep you busy. The trail is awesome, but takes some skill to ride most of it. There are good views along the way and more exposure than some would prefer. I think this may be the most technical trail I have rode so far. I'm glad I've had lots of rides in the McDonald/Dunn Forests to get me ready for this. It's a crazy trail!! Definitely not for beginners. 6 of us went and had a great time!!
My top fav in the state to ride. The best way to ride all three trails in a row, east ridge, top north ridge, bottom north ridge is to: from woods creek rd gate, climb the gravel road through the water shed for several miles (3.6 mi). it will bring you to the gate up at the paved road . Bottom of east ridge starts here. Ride east ridge up (2.4 mi) all the way to the observation parking lot. Jump on North ridge and ride it down (3.4). When you hit the gravel road at the woods creek gate, look to the other side of the road. The bottom of north ridge continues. This is several more miles (3 mi) of pretty awesome, rolling, single track. This section sees way less traffic cause people either dont know about it or idk. But i highly recommend cause it just adds to an awesome ride. The end of the trail brings you back to woods creek road where old peak road joins. Ride woods creek 1.5 miles back to the parking lot. Now thats one awesome ride. So, in a 14 miles ride, you get 9 miles of non stop single track.
| ThankWe went up the gravel road from Wood Greek access gate, then up the East Ridge Trail to the top and down the North Ridge Trail back to the start. The gravel road was a good warm-up before hitting the East Ridge Trail which is a nice uphill climb over some good obstacles and with some good side hill exposure.
| ThankThere are quite a few little steep climbs, but they are not very long. Once at the top we rode up to the tower at the top of Mary's Peak. We headed down the North Ridge Trail (near parking lot entrance) and the fun begins. The trail goes down over gnarly roots, rocks, uneven surfaces, good drops, and plenty of tight switchbacks to keep you busy. The trail is awesome, but takes some skill to ride most of it. There are good views along the way and more exposure than some would prefer. I think this may be the most technical trail I have rode so far. I'm glad I've had lots of rides in the McDonald/Dunn Forests to get me ready for this. It's a crazy trail!! Definitely not for beginners. 6 of us went and had a great time!!