Grandfather District
Pisgah National ForestThe Grandfather District of Pisgah National Forest is over 192,000 acres, and much of that is in our chapter territory in Northwest NC.
Popular riding complexes in the Grandfather District include Wilson Creek, Boone Fork, Woods Mountain, and the Old Fort area.
Trail Profile
Pisgah riding provides a memorable backcountry experience, but it can be a rugged affair without some preparation. Trips should be planned carefully due to remoteness of trail locations, lack of facilities, and numerous trail intersections that often lack signage (count on none). The Trailforks App is the best option for the navigationally challenged and maps can be downloaded ahead of time to eliminate need for cell signal. Newcomers to the area should also consider finding a local guide for the first trip, or consult info from local shops.
The map above is centered on Mortimer, NC in the middle of the Wilson Creek area. Trails can be found in the surrounding area on this map. Zoom and click around for further info on these, including elevation profiles and detailed descriptions from other trail users.
Trips should be planned carefully due to remoteness of trail locations, lack of facilities, and numerous trail intersections that often lack signage (count on none). These trails never close, but use common sense when considering riding in wet conditions.
History and Background
The Alliance began ramping up efforts in Pisgah in the Fall of 2014, by signing a Sponsored Volunteer Agreement with the Grandfather Ranger District. The SVA tiers to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IMBA/SORBA and the USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, and is contributing to more access and better trails. Since 2013, we’ve amassed over 1300 hours of volunteer work on classic Pisgah trails like Greentown, Woodruff Ridge, Wilson Ridge, and Schoolhouse. The partnership with the Grandfather District has led to detailed planning in the near and far terms, including plans for NEPA work, design, construction, and funding.
Click Here to view a timeline of our ever evolving work in Pisgah National Forest.
Directions
There are many riding areas in the Grandfather district, and route planning is complex. Popular start locations in Wilson Creek include Mortimer, Globe, and The Hwy 181 corridor south of Jonas Ridge. For Woods Mountain, routes typically begin at the USFS Work Center in Woodlawn. Zoom into the map above to explore these spots, or use the MTB Project App or the Trailforks App to find directions to the trails!
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