Chickasaw Trace

Chickasaw Trace

	Chickasaw Trace
Location:	Tennessee
Nearest Town:	Columbia
Directions to Trailhead:	Take highway 7 out of Columbia toward Sante Fe (Sante Fe Pike). Turn left at Chickasaw Trace 1-2 miles past Brooks Machine. Turn left again after crossing the bridge (Knob Creek), then left again at gravel road (50 yards). This drops down to the parking area.
Trail Description:	The trail runs clockwise primarily with lots of loops. So from the parking area go right onto the trail and it follows the creek. Shortly after it turns away from the creek the trail splits. Advanced riders should go right and ride the short rocky hill loop. Others can bear left and continue on toward the boat ramp (a mile or so). The singletrack wanders on to the river. Go straight across the road at the boat ramp and ride along the river. This section does a 180 at the end and brings you back up along the river on new twisty singletrack all the way to the boat ramp parking lot. There you go back down the field on a truck path. When you get to the major intersection, go across the gully to the left and follow that loop around the field (in the woods). When you come back across the gully take the trail marked "Woodland". From this point on it is fairly easy to stay on the main trail. If anyone is beat at this point then shortcut back, because the hard stuff is just beginning. A few miles later is another split down in the "Blackfoot" or "Blackhill" section - go left (down) for the full loop. When the trail comes back out to the road, there are two trails going back to the parking area. The straight across one has eroded and been rock-filled (you can still ride it) go to the right 20-30 yards and you'll find the new diagonal cut back to the car. The race route is 9 miles (with added road and field riding, blah), so this one should be 7-8 miles of 95% singletrack.
Trail Length:	8 miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Submitted By:	Wade

Scott from Cherry Date: May 29, 2003 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Leave the parking area and go clockwise.Maps are available at the trailhead. Other recommended trails in the same area: Hamilton Creek in Nashville.
Review: Awesome place to ride.It starts off easy and gets harder as you go.This trail will test you every time you go out.Be ready to climb when you get to the Trail Of Tears section.They named it accordingly.By far one of the best trails I've ever ridden.Today the trail was in pretty rough shape from all the bad weather we've had.Those guys down there are going to need some major help getting the trail back into tip top shape.So if you go there,try and do a little trail mantenance while your there.	Overall Rating:

Superhossenpheffer from Smyrna Date: March 24, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: download a trail map from http://www.columbiacyclingclub.com/chickasaw.stm Other recommended trails in the same area: Hamilton Creek (although I don't go much anymore because everyone's car gets broken into or stolen). Lock 4 (but I think the trace is better and the drive is shorter) Percy Warner Park (ride the road - great training). Some local road climbing loops around smyrna/arrington (if anyone wants a map let me know)
Review: Fantastic trail! Bravo to the club!! The last two times I have been down they were working on it. I think this trail has everything a great trail should have, speed, climbs, fields, roots, trees, rocks, jumps, and a wee-bit of walking. (the last steep blackhills climb gets me everytime) :-) Great fun and great training. If anyone else lives in Smyrna and wishes to carpool down some weekend... drop me an e-mail.	Overall Rating:

rob feature from nashville, tn Date: November 1, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: cloclwise...but that's the only way i've ever done it Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: sweet trail. it was a little slippery when i rode it, but that was only a couple of spots. i found a combination of tight singletrack, passages through fields, and a good bit of speed. there's like a mile or so that'll kick your butt pretty good a little more than halfway through...this is the switchback section that does nothing but go up and down the side of a hill...a real lungbuster if you ride it fast. there's no real elevation gain here, but the hills that exist are put to good use.	Overall Rating:

Jason from Franklin Tennessee Date: September 9, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Ride entire trail system...start to finish! Get a map from the bullitin board near the parking area. You may need it! Other recommended trails in the same area: Higher Ground(singletracks.com)please contact by email before riding!, Hamilton Creek, Lock 4.
Review: The trail map is marked in sections. 1)The Creek trail and 2)River Trail are pretty much straight and level...Very fast and a good place to get things together. Once you reach the woodland trail approx half way through...have your ass is gear it is fast and there are trees close by to correct your mistakes. There are fields throughout the trail system...simply follow the beaten path...The majority of these are also fast. After this you will reach the 4)trail of tears and 5)black hills both of which have some great climbs and decents. There is one nearly impossible climb in black hills that I found easier to walk. Other than that the entire system is moderate to hard in skill but HIGHLY demanding on endurance. Have FUN!	Overall Rating:

Bert Simmer from Nashville Date: June 17, 2002 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Get a map at the Trail Head or online Other recommended trails in the same area: 5 Stars for the Trail Builders .. Lock 4 is great too, Fairview wonderful .. Hamilton Creek is the trail for Rock Lovers .. I like it too believe it or not, but like to have change and choices ... when I want Blood and Guts it's The Rock at Hamilton Creek. SwitchBacks .. Lock 4 .. Single Track Chickasaw, Fairview .. smoking fast ..
Review: This is a great trail, for you bozo's who can only like a ride that makes you bleed, realize for this sport to ever have the backing it needs to build more trail etc .. we need people who like to ride who don't have 18 piercings, 20 tatoo's and like to finish a ride without a broken bone .. This is a great trail, we need more trails that you can take a STARTER too and a FAST ride .. There are plenty of HARD rides out there .. ease up folks and let there be a place or two for folks who like real single track. Every been to Tsali .. great climbing .. smooth smoking trails.	Overall Rating:

Tweek from Louisville Date: April 18, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: I use a map Other recommended trails in the same area: Lock 4 and Hamilton Creek
Review: Shut up and ride you whinners. If you don't like it, take up needle point. I drive from L-ville, KY and always enjoy the single track!	Overall Rating:

Eye Doc from Nashville, TN Date: March 6, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Montesano Mountain (Huntsville, AL) Hamilton Creek Bowie Nature Park
Review: I must admit that I was disappointed in this trail. I was excited about riding here, and decided to make the trip one day recently. The first few miles were flat and extremely repetitive. It wound back and forth, and I kept feeling like I was somehow riding in circles. I'd be riding along, and I'd look a few feet next to me and there'd be the stretch of trail that I had just been on a few minutes before. NOTE TO TRAILBUILDERS: When you have moderately small piece of land like this, you don't have to try to make a trail as long as possible by cramming it in like that. Longer does not necessarily mean better. After the first few miles, the trail made up for the flatness at the Trail of Tears. This stretch wound up and down the same hill about half-a-dozen times. The last couple of miles of the trail were actually very good. I only wish that the whole trail could have been as good. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, and should go give it another try. I just don't know if I can bring myself to do so.	Overall Rating:

CHUCK COOK from NASHVILLE,TN.USA Date: December 21, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: FOLLOW THE SIGNS.MAPS OF THE TRAILS ARE AT THE PARKING LOT. Other recommended trails in the same area: LOCK-4 AND HAMILTON CREEK
Review: IM FROM HENDERSONVILLE,NORTH OF NASHVILLE.IT TOOK ABOUT 1.5 HOURS TO GET THERE.THE MAIN REASON I WENT TO THIS TRAIL,IS THERE IS A RACE COMING UP THERE,AND I WANTED TO SEE WHAT I WAS IN FOR.THIS TRAIL IS GOING TO BE VERY FAST.THERE IS NO TECHNICAL STUFF ON THIS TRAIL,BUT THERE IS I THINK TWO BIG UP HILL CLIMBS.IT IS A VERY NICE TRAIL FOR BEGINNER'S.	Overall Rating:

C. S. Overstreet from Columbia Date: November 24, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Forget the technicallities, run the whole trail. Other recommended trails in the same area: Hamilton Creek
Review: I just hit Chickasaw Trace for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and it was pretty amazing. The landscape is beautiful, and it is a nice calm ride; however, all great thing come to an end. First you begin to sweat, then it's all over, before you know it, it happens, and you don't know how to react to it. You are having fun. Honestly, I miss the rocky obstacles, but that is alright, because every course has it's own theme, and that theme does not belong to Chickasaw. Overall a great course, and definately an eye opener. This trail is great for all levels of experience, and should be attempted by all to see where you actually stand to a world of x-treme sports.	Overall Rating:

Steve from Smyrna Date: September 29, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Columbia exit, Hwy. 412/99 is 20 miles S. of Franklin ,TN on I-65 S. Get there whatever way have to. Take 412 into Columbia, about ten miles. Go staight through the main intersection a couple miles to Hwy.7 toward Sante Fe apprx. 3.5 miles, turn L. into park, L. @ first split and see the gravel rd. @ L. to prkg. lot. Other recommended trails in the same area: Hamilton Creek, Fairview, Lock 4, Sewanee(Franklin Forest, Big South Fork. Every trail has has it's own character and every rider has his own taste. I don't believe there are any bad trails, just some I like better than others.
Review: From the prkg. lot, look at the road as it comes in. Just on the other side is where you come back into the prkg. lot if you ride the trail completely. 8.47 miles by our computer, you can expect some variation with your's. Turn to your right along the tree line and see the biginning trail leading into the woods by the creek. When you cross the road at the boat ramp and go into the other side, you've gone about 2 miles. This trail leads back toward the road you just crossed, it's to your right as you come out into the field. Follow the trail through the field and down a sevice rd. If you don't ride too fast you can see some signs with trail names or an arrow. Follow these, it's pretty obvious which way to go, though this part of the trail loops and crosses a couple of times. The rest of the trail should be very clear. You'll see Woodland Trail and, I don't remember the other name but,these should doable by most, the climbing isn't too technical here, just long, some steep. After this trail, Trail Of Tears gets alittle more technical, if you ride fast. If you ride pretty slow, watch the roots! There are a couple of places where the trail bypasses a technical section. The first one is in the first section before you cross the road, the bypass is left. The second one is in Trail Of Tears and to the right. I haven't ridden these. Come out of "Tears" into Black Hill Trail. If you "rriiide" your bike and make every part do it's job, this trail can be a chall- enge for you and bike. There are several big and little drop-ins between trees and over roots, some with curves. Lots of pretty tight track along sides of hills and slopes. Could be tricky, and increases with speed. If you've come to look at the scenery while riding, that could be very dangerous, even on the first part. Overall, this trail is a great ride. If you don't think so, ride it twice, without stopping. Or backward. Remember those neat downhills? My buddie and I ride Lock 4 all the time this way. It's a very nice trail too, and well groomed, and prettyfast. But "Tace" is tricky and challenging, com- parable to Hamilton creek. Plenty of small, broken limbs, and roots, in the trail to redirect your front wheel. Some stationary rocks to navigate. Just when you think that might be all, there is something else. I won't stop riding at Lock 4 or Ham.Creek but I will ride this trail alot. My buddie and I rode "Trace" twice today, the second time with lights. The next time we'll ride backward. the trail, not the bikes. It's like riding two different trails. I give this trail "FIVE TIRES", and I give the people who created, and those who maintaine the trails, a huge thanks and applause. I hope we can come to a work day soon. Remember, if we trash the trail, the trail becomes trash. We don't pay anything(yet) to ride these trails.How much would it cost to pick up a bottle or move a branch?	Overall Rating:

Dave from Memphis Date: July 19, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Start at the parking area and watch for ticks. Other recommended trails in the same area: I dunno
Review: I was going to be traveling in the Columbia area and used this website to find this trail. The trail circles a very nicely kept park. I was looking forward to some hills (Memphis is really flat). The "Trail of Tears" brought tears and sweat. The first section by the river is very senic, you'll have to ride it twice to take it all in. The trail was well kept and do-able by just about any skill level. Saw lots of bikers when I quit, but never saw a soul on the trail. I met some really nice people and can't wait to ride it again.	Overall Rating:

Patterbear from Nashville, TN Date: June 13, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Trail of Tears to Blackhill Other recommended trails in the same area: If you need something more technically interesting, Hamilton Creek, though overused, is great...
Review: Rode this for the first time a couple of days ago. Took a couple of hours and rode EVERYTHING in the park. Trails are very well maintained, almost groomed down by the river. Overall, this park is a little harder than Fairview (much more climbing), but good for a fast XC run. Trail of Tears and Blackhill have a couple of places that'll suprise you if you're screaming along unknowing (a very steep chute and sharp left into a dry creek bed come to mind) just to make it exciting. However, BRING YOUR TICK REPELLENT!!!! I removed four from my legs and socks in the first hour (fortunately hadn't bitten yet...can you say Lyme disease?) and a guy I met in the parking lot was having the same experience.	Overall Rating:

Rob Murphy from Boulder, Colorado Date: May 1, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Start along the creek. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Great Trail! Well maitained, but with good obsticales to ride over. They just added 0.6 miles to the trail or so I hear! Steep in acouple of places, but still reaaly enjoyable. A beginer wouldn't mind this trail, as long as they don't mind pushing their bike a little. http://www.columbiacyclingclub.com/	Overall Rating:

Wade from TN Date: April 22, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: for the latest info on Chickasaw Trace go to: http://www.ColumbiaCyclingClub.com/mtbpark.stm	Overall Rating:

Michael from Nashville, TN Date: April 4, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Lock 4, Hamilton Creek, St. Andrew's (Sewanee)
Review: This is a great learning trail because it offers a wide variety of difficulty. Most of it is novice to intermediate. However at 25 miles an hour, a blind creekbed becomes very technical. There are HUGE hills on this course (up and down) which makes for an interesting ride once fatigued. It's very comparable to lock 4 with more hills and about 4 extra miles. The nicest thing about this course is that it is continuous and there is only one trail making a complete loop.	Overall Rating:

Steve from Cumming, GA Date: March 20, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Start at the Creek trail and ride the full loop. Signs and arrows point the direction. Also maps are available at the trail head. (recommended) Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: As a beginner to Mtn. Biking, I thoroughly enjoyed this trail. It has sections that are easy enough for an inexperience out of shape biker (like myself)to enjoy and improve skills. And other sections that are challenging, but not extremely dangerous. I've ridden this trail four times now and am completely hooked. One of the things I liked the best is that it is one direction only. You don't have to worry about turning a corner or topping a hill and hitting another rider head on, which was a concern when I got into riding. Riding the full circle puts you right back where you started. This is the only trail I have ridden, so I am giving it four stars instead of five, only because I have nothing to compare it to. Looking forward to many more in the future.	Overall Rating:

Dennis from Whitmore Lake, Mi. Date: March 19, 2001 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: start along river trail and ride all of the loops. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: starts out very flat and fast with many flat sweepers. it gets progressively harder. you can ride as hard or easy as you want. short climbs on the trail of tears and the black trail. good trail for group with mixed abilities. tons of fun, i enjoy it every time i'm in the state. its 8 miles long, but multiple laps are fun and not boring.	Overall Rating:

Gary Pinson from Nashville Date: October 10, 2000 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: I started near the park entrance, small parking area to left and rode along the creek. Other recommended trails in the same area: Fairview Lock 4 Short Trail behind Lakes Apts in Nashville (forget the name)
Review: This was a good trail for me. I'm 49 and a little overweight. The creek trail is good for beginners or out of shape bikers. There is only one area of probably a 1/4 mile stretch that got me winded. Its also a lot of fun. There are some fun elements, plus areas where you can build speed and lean into some easy turns. Plus I enjoyed running upon about several deer. I got a little confused on which path to take when I saw a sign "Woodland Trail", but was able to get back on the easier Creek Trail relatively easily.	Overall Rating:

Greg Ruff from Hermitage, TN Date: October 2, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: The original post does a great job of telling you where to go, better than I could Other recommended trails in the same area: Just ride man ....
Review: I have ridden this trail once (September 30, 2000), and was pleased by the trail. There were three of us there Tim Coble, Jeff Moss and myself. Tim rode about everything, Jeff came close and well I didn't finish a few of the steeper hills. Technically this was nothing that really tested you ... slightly more technical than Fairview, nothing in comparison to Hamilton Creek. It was a fun ride and all three of us said "can't wait till I know this trail, it will be a blast to ride after being familiar with it" I can't imagine anyone not loving this trail. One note .. it's pretty easy to find your way around, we guessed right a few times though .. the "reported" trail maps were gone at the trail head, hope they refill this, it would have helped, and the sign posts along the trail were great, except some were missing and knocked down ... the trail was in great shape and a blast to ride, I think I said that already. Well worth the drive from Nashville	Overall Rating:

TinCupp from Nashville, TN, USA Date: August 8, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Trail of Tears Blackwood Hills Other recommended trails in the same area: Hamilton Creek - Nashville TN Lock 4 - Gallitin
Review: Out of all the trails that I have rode this is my favorite.. In my opinion, this trail has it all.. Speed, Air, and Technical.. The first time I rode this trail it was early and was a little wet, very little, but the trail was awesomely slick.. The second time I thought that I knew the trail somewhat and was just flying, since the track was dry now.. I came over a hill the track went off the left and I was going into the forest.. It has a great uphill climb near the end.. The track is well kept, the only problem that I have seen with this trail is that it is to far from the house and if you ride it in the spring the ticks are somewhat bad.. It is worth the drive	Overall Rating:

F-1ford from Summertown,TN Date: April 15, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Any, I guess. It probably would have been better if I had a trail map. Other recommended trails in the same area: Don't know any other trails in the same area, if any one else does please E-mail me.
Review: This was the first time I've ridden this trail and it won't be the last. This is also the first real trail I've ridden, I mostly ride some double track and this was a very interesting experience. There was a lot of slick rocks, roots and trees that wait to throw you off the trail, but it was a very fun and sometimes fast ride.	Overall Rating:

Hollis from Mc Minnville TN Date: March 17, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: If you want a good Challenge go to Hamilton Creek.
Review: I've been here 2 times and this is a Fun but Hilly Ride. Lots of Fast Singletrack, it makes you pay attention to what you're doing & where you're going. It has Loops everywhere and there's nothing too hard to navigate. Did I mention all the uphill sections? Maybe it was tough because it was the 1st ride of the season? Had a blast, Dirt is Good.	Overall Rating:

Bart from Mobile Alabama Date: February 5, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: just follow the trails/ or other riders Other recommended trails in the same area: oak mt. in birmingham and chichasabouge in mobile..98% single track (and yes we have some small hills)
Review: only rode it the morning of the race, but enjoyed it very much.. the veiw and sound of the river was great.. didnt even notice a landfill area..(is there one?).. will be coming back up for the race in march or april but will be bringing more people than just myself.. this is a must do when in the area. would rate 5 stars if i lived closer but it gets a 4 anyway	Overall Rating:

chukk from chattanooga , tn Date: December 21, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: same as above , just remember that 7 is santa fe Other recommended trails in the same area: most of these are not in the area : oak mountian , birmingham , al ; franklin state forest , sewanee , tn ; five points ,lookout mnt , tn ; edwards point ,signal mtn , tn
Review: this trail winds along the duck river . there was nothing too challenging about the trail except for some short steep climbs with a few gradual climbs thrown in. don't let that fool you though this is an excellent trail to ride . it is very scenic along the river . when riding next to the land fill it is not , but you'll be to stoked about the ride to worry about that . i would call this an excellent little roller coaster loop . i have only ridden it once , but i rode three laps i liked it so much . i can't wait to race here . the only thing that would make it better is if it had some big rocks and or a long down hill , maybe even some technical spots . i am giving it five wheels because it kicks ass . i wish this was my back yard.	Overall Rating:

RussellC from Lebanon, TN Date: November 19, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Steep climbs lurk behind blind corners, inspiring a downshifting frenzy so as not to get caught trying to climb a granny gear pitch in a 90-inch gear. Varied trail conditions, lots of tight twisties. It pegs out my fun meter; I'd rate it the best trail within 100 miles of Nashville.	Overall Rating:

Jeremy from Hampshire tn Date: October 5, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: great night ride Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I ride this loop once a week. On the weekends my 7 year old son and I ride the river bottom section together. This section is great for beginners or young ones. It is still got a few tech spots but nothing too bad. Rode the entire loop after dark last week, with a borrowed light sys. GREAT FUN will be buying one. If anyone has any info on joining the local club drop me an email.	Overall Rating:

from johnson city, tn Date: July 8, 1999 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: as above, Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: fun ride, much different from what we have in East TN., flat, big chain ring fun along the river, very short but decent climbs if you pound it, short fun down hills if you hammer it, rode it twice while visiting parents, 45 min drive from their house, must have liked it, i went back	Overall Rating:

Wade from Murfreesboro Date: May 31, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: The full loop. It is easy to shortcut here. That makes it nice if you have a problem or weak riders or limited time. Other recommended trails in the same area: Lock 4 is similar, but 2 hours to the north. Overall I'd give it a 4 overall, but considering what the guys had to work with, here's a big 5'er.
Review: This is a multi-use park built on the local landfill. There is a boat ramp, picnic pavilions, and a R/C flying field. The trails are open to hikers, but you'll usually only see people near the river. And when you get a good view of the garbage, think about recycling. Narrow Twisty Singletrack. Just the way I like it. Caution: there are lots of significant obstacles just off the trail. They can be hidden in the weeds. Be careful when veering off, if only a couple of feet. The local club tries to keep the weeds at bay, but it ain't easy. There are stinging nettles on the creek and the ticks can be numerous. Take appropriate measures.	Overall Rating: