Mountain Biking Dark Mountain - W. Kerr Scott Reservoir

New trails have been built near the town of Wilkesboro at the W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir. This area lies just east of the Blue Ridge in the Foothills region. The Dark Mountain trails are being built through a partnership with The Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club and The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Over 6 miles of single track multi-use trail is complete and open for use. The next phase of trail construction was dedicated by the National Park Service to be included as a segment of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail at National Public Lands Day in September 2003. The first 1 1/2 miles of trail is open. There are expected to be over 20 miles of trails when the project is completed.

The current trail begins as a double track jeep road up a forested ridge and across the top. A network of interlocking singletrack trails loop off the jeep road. The trail's toughest climb comes at the start, as the jeep road makes a steep ascent. Most of singletrack trails atop the ridge aren't nearly this steep. The trail network features loop after loop of singletrack trail rolling through a mature forest with tall poplars and pines. You'll roll through a rhododendron tunnel, dip past an old homestead, switch up and down forested ridges and cruise past a finger of the lake.

Directions

From U.S. 421, take the N.C. 268 exit (exit 286B). Turn left at the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp. Proceed approximately 3.0 miles. Turn right onto Reservoir Road; look for a large brown "W. Kerr Scott" directional sign. Drive across W. Kerr Scott Dam. Park in the lot down the hill to the left. The park hours are posted by the gate before you cross the dam. If you plan on riding outside park hours, park outside the gate.

For more information, visit the Kerr Scott Trail Guide on the website of the Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club.