Corn Mill Shoals #19

Your Gateway to Dupont's Best: A Comprehensive Review of This Trail

Quick Facts

• Distance: 1.3 miles
• Level: Very Easy
• Route Type: Out & Back
• City: Brevard
• State: North Carolina

Overview

Nestled in the natural paradise of Cedar Mountain, this unassuming trail is often overlooked in favor of its more renowned neighbors in Dupont State Forest. However, what it lacks in difficulty and length, it more than compensates for by serving as a critical connector to some of Dupont's most fantastic loops. A real "gateway trail," it offers a blend of doubletrack and challenging singletrack, providing something for everyone from beginners to advanced riders.

How To Get There

After taking Exit 9 from I-26 South towards Asheville Airport and Brevard, continue for approximately 15 miles until NC 280 becomes US 276. Follow this route through Brevard and head about 9 miles further to enter Cedar Mountain, NC. A left onto Cascade Lake Road followed by a 2-mile drive will bring you to the trail's parking area on your left.

Trail Features: A Tale of Two Terrains

Doubletrack to Singletrack: A Two-Faced Experience

Beginning as a sandy doubletrack, the trail winds through a serene forest setting before reaching a creek crossing. Beyond this point, the trail morphs into a more challenging singletrack, filled with rocky and technical sections. It continues this way until it reaches the iconic Bridal Veil Falls, providing riders with a balanced blend of terrains.

Technical Touches

While bridges are noticeably absent, fast water crossings and steep rock faces make this trail slightly more technical than a pure beginner's course. The trail includes a handful of armored sections and root-infested climbs that add a dash of technicality.

What Cyclists Are Saying

• Versatility: The trail is described as having a little bit for everyone. Technical climbs due to roots can be walked easily, making it accessible for less experienced riders.
• Scenery: Riders love the river crossings and the forested sections.
• Connectivity: Many see this trail as an essential component of a larger, more challenging loop in the Dupont area.

Final Thoughts

Despite being only 1.3 miles long and rated as 'very easy,' this trail acts as a valuable corridor to some of Dupont's most exciting rides. It offers scenic delights with its river crossings and forest sections, as well as some unexpected challenges in the form of roots and fast water crossings. Essentially, it serves as both an introduction to mountain biking for novices and a crucial link for more seasoned riders looking to explore Dupont's complex network of trails.