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Dark Mountain

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.4 (42)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …Central N. Carolina
  4. …Wilkesboro
  5. W. Kerr Scott
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“A bit of everything at Dark Mountain, the first of the mountain bike trails at Kerr Scott. ”

Paul Stahlschmidt
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Map Key

6.5

Miles

10.4

KM

95%

Singletrack

1,236' 377 m

High

1,045' 318 m

Low

578' 176 m

Up

579' 177 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

Dark Mountain is the oldest of all the trail systems at the lake, and was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2005.

Description

There are several numbered and named small loops at Dark Mountain, all intersecting with the 2-track Core Trail which goes through the whole system. Follow the BLUE arrows for the all-encompassing route (mapped here on this featured ride), including the The Snake (#2) and Lake Loop (#5) trails that each contain a solid climb and descent.

From the trailhead, the climb up the Entrance Trail (#1) takes you through the first-built trails at the lake. After about a mile, you'll get through a very rooty section and begin a descent that winds down The Snake (#2) to another section of Fish Dam Creek waterway. Enjoy it, because as soon as you see the stream, you'll be begin a sustained 1-mile climb out.

Follow the Crossover Trail (#3), Dogtown (#4), and sections of the Core Trail to to get to the Lake Loop (#5) after about 3-4 miles in, where the ride begins the 200 foot newly rebuilt descent. A fantastic finale awaits after the climb back to the top of Dark Mountain, the exit trail. This section has hosted Downhill and Super-D events, and contains optional lines with big banked turns and jumps.

Contacts

Local Club: Northwest North Carolina Mountain Bike Alliance

Land Manager: US Army Corps - Kerr Scott

Shared By:

Paul Stahlschmidt with improvements by Brad Shumate
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 42 votes

#2

in W. Kerr Scott

#437

Overall
  4.4 from 42 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
36%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in W. Kerr Scott

#28

in North Carolina

#437

Overall
65 Views Last Month
18,344 Since May 19, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Exit Trail at Dark Mountain
Oct 13, 2017 near Millers…, NC
Climbing into Dark Mtn.
Oct 13, 2017 near Millers…, NC
Jumpin' around on Dark Mountain's finale. Photo by Richard Fink.
May 19, 2013 near Millers…, NC
Swoosh.
Apr 17, 2016 near Millers…, NC
Dark Mountain Descent - #6 Exit Trail.
Mar 5, 2018 near Millers…, NC
Pink Panther.
Apr 17, 2016 near Millers…, NC

2 Comments

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 2, 2024
Jason Isaacs
Feb 22, 2024
Conor Shinnick
Great trail maintenance. Trails all clear. 6.6mi — 0h 48m
Jul 8, 2023
Vic Allen
Made for an awesome time in the mountains. 9.3mi — 1h 28m
May 19, 2023
Mark Nickels
May 18, 2023
Lost Justpastnowhere
Jul 29, 2022
Nick N
Jul 1, 2022
Brandon P
Apr 30, 2022
Dave Smith
Follow Dark Grind signs

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