[falcodawgs]

Me and a buddy of mine are headed up to the north GA mtns for our spring break to do some biking but there are just so many trails to choose from and our time will be limited so we are trying to hit the best trails we can while there. We live in Gwinnett county and are decent riders so nothing too crazy but we definitively want something new and challenging! We will be staying around the Clayton and Tiger area so if there are some good trails in that area please inform me! I have researched a few trails in that area but I am just unfamiliar with them and wanted to know if any of you guys had experience with these trails. The trails that really caught my interest were Popcorn Creek, Stonewall Falls, and some of the trails at Black Rock State park. Are these some good trails up in that area or am I really missing out on something great? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[LoneStar]

In the Clayton area, I hear Stonewall Falls and White Twister are pretty good, although I have never ridden up there. You may want to visit the forums at sorba.org as I am sure you will get more traffic there than here.

 

[lanpope]

deleted - My suggestion was in wrong part of GA.

 

[cgreen9761]

I'm pretty sure Black Rock State park is hiking only.

Popcorn Creek is forest roads with some pavement mixed in. Not my type of ride but maybe it would float your boat.

Stonewall falls and White twister are great singletrack rides and very fun. If you like Chiccopee Woods you'll enjoy these.

Not too far west is Unicoi State park in Helen with good trails that used to even be a mtb race course.

Not too far north just outside of Hiawasee is the Jack Rabbit trail system. It's actually in NC but the closest major town is Hiawasee, GA. Smooth trais that are flatter and buff. Fast, but not very challenging.

South of Clayton is the Lake Russel WMA/Frady Branch area with a lot of different trails that are also fun singletrack. I suggest Lake Russel Loop, Sourwood, and Lady Slipper if you choose to ride there.

 

[d365]

Stonewall and W Twister were really fun trails, back in the day. Definitely worth a run, or 2, since you'll be so close.

**I would roll over to Isaqueena trails, by Clemson SC. TONS of great trails. You could spend a couple of days over there. Definitely worth the trip IMO. There's a couple of freeride/downhill trails too, if you're feelin it.

Never been to Lake Russell trails, but know some folks that travel from Athens to ride there, so it's probably decent.

Tsali, in NC, would also be a fairly easy drive, and worthy of a trip.

Helen, unicoi, is pretty fun (6or7 outta 10).... but I would rather just ride Stonewall/Twister, personally.

my .02 ,,,,, have a good one

 

[falcodawgs]

Of the trails you have listed, which would be the ones that I really need to hit while I'm up there? Definitively no popcorn creek after you said its just fireroads but which of the others you named are a must?

 

[d365]

Of the trails you have listed, which would be the ones that I really need to hit while I'm up there? Definitively no popcorn creek after you said its just fireroads but which of the others you named are a must?

If you want "must ride" trails - go to Isaqueena or Tsali. You'll not be disappointed. Isaqueena has more tech stuff, and would be my lean. Stonewall/Twister is definitely worthy of a ride too, especially since you'll be right there.

 

[iamtylerdurden]

Lake Russell WMA is sweet stuff, but you will need a guide. Ive been riding there 5 or 6 times and still hesitant to go up on my own. but it has rewarding climbs with views and nice downhills. I have some friends from Lawrenceville I meet up there about once a month or so.

Ridden some around clayton but not stonewall/white twister, hear good stuff about them though.

We are riding Snake Creek Gap up in Dalton at a time trial this weekend, and it is an awesome trail, very rocky and technical but a blast.

Hear good stuff about the Pinhoti's around Mulberry Gap.

IMHO......3 words. GO TO PISGAH!!!! worth every minute and every penny.

 

[Medeco]

Pinhoto is pretty cool, Pisgah in Brevard,NC is KILLER. Camp at Davidson river.

 

[mtbGreg]

In the Tiger area, Stonewall Falls and White Twister are where its at!

 

[Drbbt]

Carter's Lake is a fun, but tough loop. Did a singlespeed race there a few years ago and it was murder.

 

[rlouder]

I've heard nothing but good things about the trails mentioned in NC and SC. Plus, you could easily do Lake Russell as a day trip; it's only 45 min. from Gwinnett.

If you want to stay in the immediate area... Besides Stonewall, there are a couple decent trails at Talullah Falls, not great. Some of the trails along (and off of) the TNGA route are interesting - not all single track, but challenging riding - good for a day if the trails are too wet.
https://www.firstworks.com/tnga/route.html

For those wishing to explore Russell, here's a decent map.
https://trails.firstworks.com/trailsdata/maps/wma_composite.jpg