Big Rock Trail #3

Big Rock Trail: A Mile of Thrill in DuPont State Forest

Overview

• Distance: 1 mile
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Route Type: Network
• Location: Brevard, North Carolina

Introduction

Big Rock Trail is not your average woodland ramble. Nestled within the folds of DuPont State Forest, this one-mile trail is replete with technical challenges, awe-inspiring views, and stretches of slickrock uncommon in the Eastern United States. From plummeting descents to challenging climbs, Big Rock brings a mile of pure adrenaline to the table.

Getting There

To kick-start your biking adventure, head south on I-26 and take Exit 9 (Asheville Airport). Make a right towards the airport and Brevard. Approximately 15 miles down the road, NC 280 will morph into US 276. Continue for around 9 miles past Brevard into Cedar Mountain, NC. Take a left onto Cascade Lake Road and, after about 2 miles, you'll find the parking area on your left.

The Trail Experience

The features of Big Rock are as varied as they are thrilling:

• Fast technical descents
• Rocky singletrack with tabletops
• Large rock drops
• Steep slickrock sections
• Advanced trail elements like stair-steps and rock gardens

Whether you start from Cedar Rock #16 or include it in a figure-8 loop with Burnt Mountain, Big Rock never disappoints. The descent offers an unparalleled biking experience—fast, technical, and enriched with slickrock sections and the occasional large drop. The trail may appear daunting, but the slickrock provides excellent traction, allowing cyclists to focus on their line choices and the surrounding views rather than worry about grip.

Rider's Insight

There's a unanimous chorus among riders: this is a must-ride trail in DuPont. While the climbs can be a brutal, the descents are exhilarating. The track requires some skill, with knee-to-waist-high drops sprinkled along the trail. Cyclists describe it as a "blue/black" rather than a true black diamond, highlighting its perfect balance of challenge and flow."Keeping your speed up during the downhill makes it the most enjoyable run," according to one rider. Another mentions that although the ride to the top is no cakewalk, especially if recent rains have turned access trails into creek beds, the endorphin rush at the summit is incomparable.

Tips and Cautions

• Check weather conditions; wet trails can turn into creek beds
• Know your skill level; challenging elements require advanced skills
• Health insurance might be good to have; this trail doesn't pull any punches
• Don't miss the best overlook, about 0.25 miles from the top
• Helmet and knee pads are strongly advised; this trail's technicality demands protective gear

Conclusion

Big Rock Trail serves a concentrated dose of biking adrenaline within its one-mile stretch. The trail caters to mountain bikers hungry for a varied, technical, and challenging ride, offering a unique blend of slickrock, descents, and rock gardens. With an array of elements that defy the typical woodland trail, Big Rock has become a staple in DuPont State Forest and the broader mountain biking community.