Two wheel drifting is likely if you have speed but are not riding the top few inches of the berms. Brief passing showers are keeping it wet but the sun and wind are trying. Brief passing showers are keeping it wet but the sun and wind are trying. The trails have a decidedly old school vibe with lots of rocks, roots, tight turns and steep pitches and are sure to keep even the most experienced riders on their toes.
Good tyres offer lower weight, faster rolling resistance and better gripFrom here the trail narrows and skirts a rocky hillside. after the jump you will enter the trail between two trees (fairly close together). Starts off flowy with some good jumps then gets into more technical rock gardens. The trail can ridden in an hour non stop, but most people take multiple hours to session the various steps and drops and take photos of the World famous views of Castle Valley. Ride to the top and then down and link it directly into Ridegeline (with some double track). There are actually three trails which make up the loop: Horse Creek-Cattle Creek-Lower Twin Lake. This is a classic Black Mountain trail and was featured in Freehub Magazine's Pisgah Photo Book: Issue 6. Landings are getting a little rotted but the overall condition is good.
This 40+ miles ride is packed full of stunning island views. Please watch your speed on this portion though as this is a popular destination for hikers as well. It is steep. This new trail flows well and has multiple banked berms and small jumps that wind down the mountainside. Lots of Flow!
There will be some short dismount sections for most riders, but overall, the trail is fast and fun. The bottom portion of the trail is fast, loose and tight. Otherwise dry. This is the third downhill only trail on the north side trail network. Third Divide makes up part of the classic Downieville downhill route.
At the bottom the trail joins Hide and Seek above a major creek crossing. Normally most of the hikers don't make it to Otero Upper so that section is a little more clear and you can let it hang out a little more. Riders need to be at a decent skill level to attempt this trail. Trail can be ridden in either direction. I'm slow and a little chicken top hit some of the gap jumps but this was super fun. Immediately the trail drops into medium rollers and doubles, winding it's way back down the mountain with steep downhills, and a brief rolling climb. Gets dry in the summer. It can be accessed from the base at Old Fort Picnic Grounds or the base of the upper climb.
Fast transitions and high berms help with the turns. Trail is now covered in snow and you can only ride the packed areas from where sledders and shredders have packed out a trail.
Be careful of the rock stairs relatively close to the top of this portion; too much speed could doom your descent on these. Plenty of kick ups, jumps, drops, and huge berms.
Ride to the top and then down and link it directly into Ridegeline
Two wheel drifting is likely if you have speed but are not riding the top few inches of the berms. Brief passing showers are keeping it wet but the sun and wind are trying.