I've always climbed Laurel and then descended Pilot Rock and sometime add in Pilot Cove - Slate Rock. How does Laurel feel as an out and back? I know it's not as steep as Pilot but it would be a chill 6 mile descent vs a chunky 2 mile on Pilot. I don't see any easy ways to shuttle Laurel and it I don't even know if you could get to the trail from the Parkway as Trailforks shows that Laurel comes close but doesn't connect to the BRP. Just wondering for those who have descended Laurel how does it rate on the fun-o-meter?
Shuttle and/or out and back on Laurel Mountain Trail?
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Joined
·
38,087 Posts
I've done it as an out-and-back a couple of times. It's nice. It's definitely not a rowdy descent once you get below Sassafras Gap, but it is enough that the descent is a very low effort ride back to the TH. Between Sassafras and Pilot, though, it's another story. That section will be steep and rowdy, of course. When I've done this as an out-and-back, Sassafras Gap is my turnaround point. If I'm feeling up to the hike-a-bike up at the top of Laurel, then I'm going to ride down Pilot.
You can hike-a-bike from the Parkway down, and there are actually a couple ways to do it. One way drops you in right at the top of Pilot and the intersection with the Laurel Mtn connector (as shown on TF), and you'll see other people doing this to shuttle Pilot. The other option I haven't hiked the full length (I turned down this by accident once when climbing Laurel), and it's got some pretty technical spots on it. It's actually still Laurel until it intersects with Buck Spring Trail. I've hiked parts of Buck Spring Trail before, and this would be the much longer and more circuitous route to get down to Laurel, I think.
That's exactly what I was planning to do this weekend (out and back).
I've gone up Pilot Cove to Slate Rock Connector (NOT RECOMMENDED :O ) --> up Laruel, then back down Laurel. Its not a bad ride going down, pretty mellow but has some nice descents.
Laurel doesn't connect to BRP but there's a hiking trail (Buck Springs Trail) that does connect BRP to Laruel. If you take that route, you'll have to walk the bike
I've gone up Pilot Cove to Slate Rock Connector (NOT RECOMMENDED :O ) --> up Laruel, then back down Laurel. Its not a bad ride going down, pretty mellow but has some nice descents.
Laurel doesn't connect to BRP but there's a hiking trail (Buck Springs Trail) that does connect BRP to Laruel. If you take that route, you'll have to walk the bike
Cool let me know what you think of the out and back. If you were to park on the BRP and ride down Laurel it looks like a really like drive to retrieve the vehicle unless I'm just not seeing something right.
Think I'll stick to pedaling.
Joined
·
38,087 Posts
yeah, lots of "shuttles" in Pisgah are possible, but wildly inconvenient, like this.
the other aspect of this is that IIRC, Yellow Gap Rd. is still closed to car traffic because of a washout dating back quite a bit ago. You can ride up there, but there's only so far you can drive. So that adds time to either a shuttle or an out-and-back.
so true! the trick is finding a non rider to help set shuttle otherwise it rarely makes sense IMO
Actually, that’s exactly what my buddies and myself are doing. We have a friend who doesn’t ride, but loves to get away! So he’s going to shuttle us up to the BRP so we can do some point to point rides. If anyone wants to join, we’ll be in town Nov. 11-14.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Didn't get a chance to ride it today. There was a race there today and I didn't want to ride down Laurel with everyone climbing up. The Pisgah 55k and 111k MTB race.
Joined
·
1,158 Posts
Shuttling it is pretty wank. I prefer to go up Pilot and down Laurel if I want to descend Laurel.
I've been down Pilot a few times but not up. I can't remember how much of it is rideable when going up vs hike a bike. What's your take?
Joined
·
1,158 Posts
Much more than you think. Do it, you will be surprised.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
