Left Loop Mountain Bike Trail – Tsali Recreation Area (Graham County, NC)

Overall Difficulty: Intermediate
Technical Difficulty: Moderate
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Configuration: Loop
Length: 11.9 miles

Public lands offer endless riding opportunities, especially with the adoption of recreation by many state and federal agencies as a valuable resource to manage. Tsali recreation area of western North Carolina, considered by some as a southeastern mecca for mountain biking, is located in the Nantahala National Forest along the banks of Fontana Lake. The area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and offers a trail system that covers over 30 miles of terrain that explores the banks of Fontana Lake, climbs to awe-inspiring overlooks of the Appalachian mountains, and travels through dense, ancient hardwood forests. The left loop trail, one of the four designated trails of Tsali, is open to mountain bikers on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and open to horseback riders the other days. An 11.9 mile loop trail, the left loop trail hops from cove to cove of Fontana lake, with the occasional climb and subsequent fast descent that eventually leaves the banks of the lake and returns to the trailhead via a gravel doubletrack.

To begin this trail, ride past the information kiosk and bike cleaning station and immediately take a left following the trail signs for the left loop trail. An initial climb and quick descent will drop you into the horse trailer parking lot, from which you will cross and drop into the forest following the signs. Gentle rollers take you across the contours of the hillsides, with bank turns allowing for smoother transitions between opposing aspects. An abrupt left turn places you in a drainage that leads you to your first glimpse of Fontana Lake. Begin following the shoreline with the occasional creek crossing as many tributaries are crossed as the trail hops from cove to cove. Dry oak forests transition to fern and moss laden under stories as dynamic moisture gradients are encountered while constantly climbing and descending opposing hillsides.

Only slight climbs have been encountered thus far, but a moderately larger climb is encountered as the trail ascends to an overlooking peninsula, and then continues up the ridgeline. The climb peaks and the trail rolls over and begins a fun descent through Rhododendron trees that ends at another drainage and continues traversing more peninsulas. At this point, the climbs and descents begin to become a larger. One particular stretch of downhill includes water banks that increase the technicality of the descent and sharp, exposed turns require slight speed checks to avoid unwanted full bodied launches off of the embankment. An intersection is soon encountered that offers an extra 2 mile overlook loop that climbs for one mile to the cusp of a rock outcropping. Enjoy a nice view of Fontana Lake and the surrounding Appalachians, and then continue on the overlook trail which descends quickly and eventually returns to the left loop trail.  Read more

The Presidential Five

Bring your mountain bike if you’re heading out to Denver for the Democratic National Convention, August 25-28. The five singletrack rides spotlighted below are part of Jefferson County’s Open Space Parks, less than an hour from Denver. They’re guaranteed to make you feel like the leader of the free world, if only for a day.

Dakota Ridge, the Teddy Roosevelt Ride
Locally known as Dinosaur Ridge, this short, technically punishing ride is so named because of its proximity to dinosaur tracks. You’ll need the speed of the Rough Riders to glide over the many rocky sections and nerves of steel to navigate the triceratops-shaped ridge. Clear the waterbar steps on one of the ride’s few ascents, and you’ve conquered San Juan Hill all over again. Expect to shed blood. Don’t even think about doing this as an out-and-back. Take CO Hwy 26 back to your car.

Mt. Falcon, the Harry S Truman Ride
The buck stops at Mt. Falcon—you’re either in shape or you’re not. If you are, access Mt. Falcon from the east lot for maximum executiveness: ascending 1800 feet in just under four miles. Nothing in the climb is too steep or too technical, so clearing the Castle Trail from the parking lot to the stone shelter on top is possible but difficult. Head out in early morning because either the sun will bake you or the lightning will hit you, depending on Mother Nature’s mood. Regardless of when you go, bring as much water as you can carry. When you’re done, light up a cigar. You’ve earned it.

Three Sisters, the JFK Ride
You don’t have to be a philanderer to enjoy the Three Sisters. Shade, shade, shade is the name of the game here. Situated in woodsy Evergreen, this is the perfect intermediate ride if you start from the east (first) lot along Buffalo Park Road. Ascend the Evergreen Mountain East Trail’s 600 feet of elevation in just under two miles, and ponder your own Profiles in Courage (or have lunch) on the big boulder along the Summit Trail loop at the top. Carefully navigate your way down the Summit Trail’s loose gravel and zoom through the off-cambered stretches of trail between the tight switchbacks of Evergreen Mountain West. Take a left onto the aptly named Wild Iris trail, cross Buffalo Park Road, and take Silver Fox to Ponderosa to the Three Sisters trail, a technical maze of switchbacks and boulders that will test your mettle and lead you back to your car. If you clear all the sandy, rocky, boulder-lined switchbacks, you’ve earned the presidential physical fitness award.

Apex, the Abe Lincoln Ride
Honestly one of the most demanding rides along Denver’s Front Range. Park at Heritage Square and enjoy a short warm-up before the Apex Trail becomes steep, rocky, twisty, and exposed. For much of its 2.8 miles, the Apex Trail hugs its way around an oversized hill. The reward for your hard work is the Enchanted Forest, a 1.3-mile connector whose loamy dirt and high pines make you think you’re in Lincoln’s birthplace, minus the log cabin. Connect back to the Apex Trail and keep up your speed for the deserved downhill back to the car.

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