Lower Black

Brevard, NC (Asheville)

Description

Lower Black is what the locals call this trail, but the official name is Black Mountain Trail (Lower). The climb, Thrift Cove, is listed as a blue trail on TrailForks, but is basically a two mile fire road. It is quite grueling and feels longer than that though. The route itself is very short and multiple laps seem ambitious, unless you’ve got a power assist. I’m told the upper and middle sections are a no go for adaptive riders. The descent on Lower Black is fast, fun, worth the effort, and over way too soon. It is littered with fun stuff to play with: rock sections, roots, double fall Iines, berms. It ends with a long chunky rock section that drops back onto the climb trail. All the bridges are wide enough. You’ll definitely need suspension for this trail and clearance will definitely help. You can get some extra credit by incorporating a lap on as short section of Sycamore Cove Trail, but be sure to consult the suggested routes below because most of the trail is a no go and only one section of it is good. Riders with front wheel drive will need help for sure o the connector trail that leads out of Sycamore. Consult trail descriptions below. Beware hiker traffic, especially towards the bottom.

Staging

Parking lot is gravel and relatively flat. No painted spaces. No facilities.

Trails

Grassy Road Trail (aMTB1) - The climb to Sycamore. All good for intermediate and advanced riders. A couple slightly off-camber root sections beginners may need an assist with though. 312ft ascent in one mile.

Lower Black (aMTB1) - I’m saying aMTB1 for this because most riders can figure it out. It may be a little more problem solving than flow or speed, but it’s all wide enough, the impact is there, and no real exposure. Beginners might need a spot here and there, but MOST riders will be good. Drop 563ft in 1.1 miles.

Starnes Branch (aMTB3) - This is a super steep connector back to the climb trail. Rider’s with front wheel drive will 100% need a push. I moto’d up it no prob with full power and rear wheel drive, but there is a tricky root section right at the end.

Sycamore Cove Trail (aMTB3) - I’m inclined to split this trail on TrailForks because the section in the suggested route below is mostly good…I’d say aMTB2…but the rest of the trail is not suitable for adaptive riders. I’m giving it an aMTB3 rating to err on the side of caution.

Thrift Cove (aMTB1) - This is the main climb trail to Lower Black. It ascends 760ft in 2.4 miles, but for some reason feels like more than that. In my opinion, it should be listed as a purple fire road, not a blue trail. At the bottom, along the creek, its more of a crushed aggregate surface community pathway.