p0Ke'm@n
04-13-2004, 07:44 PM
First visit last Wednesday by this old wuss (age 61) on his Blur and Charlie from Cartecay River BS on his Enduro; too bad I didn't know my riding bud was a former Specialized team rider (my excuse for not cleaning every hill).....but I could almost hang with him on the downs. Anyway, great value in riding with a better rider and improving the learning curve, but I remain a convoluted MARTA rider....walk,ride,walk,ride. You can go across HWY 52 from Dalonega to Clarksville, hit HWY 17 towards Toccoa, and turn left down this 4-lane just after it crosses Ga. 365 and go past mile marker 58 to a light at Jeanette Jameson intersection (HWY 123)....a mobile home lot is on your right....turn RIGHT here and go just 1/4 mile and turn LEFT on HWY 184 and the trailhead is just 3.5 miles down 184 on your right. Or go up Ga. 365 from Gainesville until you see HWY 17 towards Toccoa and follow the above, but you are turning RIGHT on 17 as it goes down the hill to the JJ intersection (123). Combination of gravel, singletrack and doubletrack. Trails were dusty without the recent rains. At least FOUR distinct loops. Few or no horse trailers, but was a weekday. Can get in 12-14 miles and if you do the loops twice or more, can have an all-day epic. Interesting historical markers and ancient cemetaries where we carefully trod while taking a carb break. Coming down the mountain counterclockwise on the Frady Branch-Leatherwood Creek Loops was a real blast; the singletrack is narrow, twisty, and somewhat technical. Worth a return trip post-rain, and after trees fill in the views. Thanks to Keith Owen, SORBA, and all who worked so hard on these trails....you done good.