On March 13 over thirty volunteers polished out new trails at the Warrior Creek “Headwaters” area at Kerr Scott. These trails were professionally designed and built by Horton Design and a product of a 2016 RTP Grant. The project has experienced some delays, but is finally being delivered in a big way!
The Headwaters area trails are laid out in a “hub” fashion with three trails totaling approximately 4 miles starting from one location. The trails at Headwaters are a good add-on to a Warrior Creek ride or as a destination to session them all alone from the end of the Warrior Creek loop. In addition to the new trails at Headwaters, the 3/4 mile flow-trail under construction near the Warrior Creek Pumptrack will add to any variety of rides from the back parking lot.
Getting there can be the tricky part; The Headwaters Hub is currently accessible from the Warrior Creek Trail via the Headwaters Entrance Trail. You can also ride the Warrior Creek loop Clockwise via the Happy Jack Connector for a two mile route. Plans are in the works for an easier connector to the Hub from this route, and there will also be a new flow trail built across the parking lot that will make it an even more fun way out. All of the new trails are on the Trailforks app, so sync the NC region to get the updated trails right on your mobile device.
Trail Descriptions
- Headwaters Entrance Trail – Short, mellow climb to the Hub. Has one chunky section at the beginning.
- Berms & Views (1.5 mi.) – What you would expect from the title. The first half-mile is mostly downhill. Think Dark Mountain Lake Loop but with more tables, doubles, and kickers. The last half of the loop climbs out in sweet fashion with great views of the Yadkin River.
- Whippoorwhirl (.9 mi.) – Starts with a mini jump line that has a session return, and transitions into tighter twists and turns with a few technical lines, including a small slab that is about 40% grade.
- Old Head and Earthquake (1.5 mi.) – The original Headwaters trail has been tidied up into two sections. These trails are the most difficult at the lake, littered with rocks and drops. Earthquake can be bypassed by staying on the Old Head route via a connector that was first used in the 2013 Wilkes 100.
