The Bottom End

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

This ride features all the trails in the lower end of the Issaqueena Trail System found in the Clemson Experimental Forest. The trails here are longer, undulate more often, and have more tight twists and turns. The ride experience here takes more effort and more out of you compared to trails in the north side of the forest. There are also many bail-out options along the route in case of emergency or if the ride must be cut short.

A few small creek crossings are in this ride, but nothing that can't be crossed on bike. Parking at Doyle Bottom Road parking area is limited.

To ride this route as described, it is best to park at the Doyle Bottom Road parking area. The ride begins by heading a short distance down Doyle Bottom Road to the entrance of Hunting Arrow, off to the left. Hunting Arrow is a five-mile ride from entrance to entrance, however, there are two noticeable bail-outs on the right, about one and two-thirds along the way. These bail-outs will dump you back out on Doyle Bottom Road, which will take you back to the parking lot.

When you reach the end of Hunting Arrow, take a right on Doyle Bottom Road and ride back up the road until you reach the fork where the other forest road, Doyle's N. Fork intersects. Off to the left, on the side of Doyle's N. Fork, will be the entrance to Double Tree Fork Trail. Enter the trail and ride along. Continue on Double Tree Fork until it ends at the intersection with Chicken Loop.

Follow Chicken Loop and it will take you around the remnants of the large downed tree that blocks the road ahead. Chicken Loop will terminate on Burning Car Road. Make a right on Burning Car Road and follow it up about half way to the entrance of Triple Creek, which will be on the left. Ride Triple Creek north to the intersection with Anthill Loop. Ride Anthill Loop in either direction and you'll return to the area where you entered. Continue right on Triple Creek until you reach the intersection with RC Edwards.

Follow RC Edwards to the right. RC Edwards has three sections. The first will terminate at Old Six Mile Road. Go across the road and enter the second section of the trail slightly to the right. Follow this second section of trail down the hill, dropping off some of the drops and rolling with the flow of the trail. Be wary of the vines creating the tunnels on this section: they have VERY LONG and SHARP THORNS.

Once complete with the second section of RC Edwards, continue across RC Edward's School Road and enter the third section of the trail, again slightly off to the right. Do NOT ride up the opening with the wood posts with red reflectors: this is PRIVATE PROPERTY. This third section of trail will end at a wooden bridge in the Waterfall Area. The Waterfall Area includes two trails, Big Hole and 12 Mile Loop, both of which can be taxing if you are not fit.

Ride across the bridge and take Big Hole to the right and follow the ups and downs all the way around to where you started. About halfway along the trail, you can stop and view the large sinkhole from which the trail gets its name. When you come back to the start, head up the trail to the right. This is 12 Mile Loop and has much of the same type of undulating terrain. Follow the trail all the way around back to the start. Head back across the wooden bridge and make a right to leave the Waterfall Area and head back toward the Doyle Bottom Road parking area. This unnamed trail will end on Old Six Mile Road just north of the parking area, which is visible once you reached the pavement.

There are a few historical markers along this route. Much of the land in this area was owned and occupied by the family of John Ewing Calhoun. There are remnants of the house, spring house (for water access), and a cemetery.