The Pisgah Traverse

[sjanes]

I spent the past year or so pouring over maps, picking brains etc, then the last 4 days riding 250 miles around Pisgah National Forest to map out what resulted in a 190 mile point to point ultra racing route: 

http://ashevillejanes.blogspot.com/2011/06/pisgah-traverse.html

come give the south east a try!

[flyingheel]

I definitely be in for late September (following recovery/healing from TNGA).  Great job on the route.  Are you thinking a group depart or just ITTs at this point?

[sjanes]

group depart would be fun, I'm not sure what fall looks like with wife's nursing school schedule so someone else should organize it.

[driftwood]

Good job putting it together  . I like all the singletrack through Pisgah! I might do it sometime when I have the chance - it could be a good shakedown ride for tnga. I'll map it out to get the elevation data sometime if you would like.

There might just be a trans-WNC route being developed that starts around Elk Park and ends around Liberty with lots of mileage and lots of climbing 

[sjanes]

Good job putting it together  . I like all the singletrack through Pisgah! I might do it sometime when I have the chance - it could be a good shakedown ride for tnga. I'll map it out to get the elevation data sometime if you would like.

cool,   definitely more technical help would be appreciated.  my Cateye Mity 8 wasn't quite up for elevation..

There might just be a trans-WNC route being developed that starts around Elk Park and ends around Liberty with lots of mileage and lots of climbing 

Elk Park and Liberty?  are those towns in SC?

[driftwood]

Both are in NC. Liberty is near Murphy (not the Liberty by Greensboro) and Elk Park is near Banner Elk (it would likely start more North of Banner Elk than at Elk Park itself). The start and finish points could change but if you look at those towns on a map it should give you an idea of what the route could be like.  I wouldn't expect the route to be done anytime in the immediate future, maybe by next year. Lots of variables involved and what looks good on a map isn't always what is good on the ground. Is there even a demand for something like this? Are we eventually going to have a trans every state?

Good job again on putting together the Pisgah Traverse. It sounds like fun and I'm going to try and do it soon! If I do it I'll gps it.

[sjanes]

I believe there is demand for this sort of thing....from a small group.  Look at the TDR  less than 100 folks, it won't be huge, but it will be used.  I'll be glad to help with options in this area.  keep me updated

[ActionJackson]

Looks like a doosy.

I was out that way the Fall 2009 with some friends, camped at Davidson River Campground and rode all around there for four days. One day we drove to Kitsuma TH for the ORAMM route, reason I mention this as I see in your directions you list Curtis Creek Rd.

Yup, I remember that road very well...

[dgjessee]

just noticed this - definitely want to give it a go!

[Dumpster Juice]

I would be in for maybe a late fall or early spring try...

[FeloniousDunk]

Stephen, 

It's great to see you got to do this finally!  I'll have to get the whole story later. 

You should bum a ride to either Linville Falls or Ivestor and ride about the same route you did, plus a little more, to the other.  Did that one once, from the door, and if you liked the route you did then you'll love the leg from HB to Linville... but if you didn't like it you'll HATE IT in a bad way 

I need something to work on for this Fall.  You looking at anything?

~Shaun

[sjanes]

I definitely loved it,  waiting for the window of time to open so I can do it again!

[ridingman1]

I took Stephen's que sheet, drafted a downloadable .GPX track and posted in on RidewithGPS.com at

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/581925

This gpx track has not been validated yet, so if you ride the route, use a combination of Stephen's que's AND the GPX track, defaulting to the que's as needed. The section representing the Old Toll Road is probably not correct on the GPS track.

If you lay down good GPS track of the complete route, let me or Stephen know.

I also have a route I am calling the "South Carolina Connector" to connect the Trans N Ga start on the Chattooga River to Pisgah. The SC Connector is 76 miles long and features some beautiful scenery in the Upstate SC. The only problem is it is all paved, because there is no gravel or ATB allowed single track between the Chattooga River and Pisgah.

The long term thought is to connect TNGa  ---> SC Connector ---> Pisgah Traverse and work out a route up the Eastern Continental Divide.

Cheers,

Richard Ridlehuber

[sjanes]

That's cool Richard, thanks for putting the time into it!    We do have lots of pavement here in the southeast,  but that is just part of the game!!   where in Pisgah does the SC connection come in?

[ridingman1]

I stopped the SC Connector just past the top of Caesars Head at the Eastern Continental Divide sign.

Continuing on 276 and taking a right onto Reasonover road, then going through Dupont Forest (gravel and single track) to Cascade Lakes road (gravel) and then to Brevard (paved), coming out at the Lowes is what trained on for the Tour Divide this year.

Here is the link to the SC Connector: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/637197

It features Lake Jocassee, Table Rock State Park and the legendary Caesar's Head climb used in the Tour Dupont and frequented by top Pro's such as George Hincapie, Craig Lewis and Chris Butler during their training.

The views of Lake Jocassee, Table Rock and from the top of Caesar's head are some of the best in SC. Services are ample.

[sjanes]

Cool route, I must try it sometime! 

[THenne]

Hey Driftwood.....Do you have a route in mind or on paper connecting BE to say Old Fort?  I am going to be poking around in that area for several days in late September.  Looking to add a northern half to Sjanes traverse.

[29ftw]

The section representing the Old Toll Road is probably not correct on the GPS track.

I know the elevation at the top of the OTR is ~ 5,300' so the track may be off to one side of that ridge - just guessing based on the profile.  Awesome mapping regardless!