The Red Trail at Oak Mountain State Park
The Double Oak Trail at Oak Mountain State Park is BUMP's own built and maintained trail. Recognized as one of the premier trails in the Southeast, the approximately 21 mile length, and growing, trail is mostly tight singletrack, with about five miles of the "loop" doubletrack, and about 1600 feet of climbing. Oak Mountain State Park itself is a beautiful 10,000-acre facility with many sites for picnicking and a great lake with a beach for swimming and relaxing. Oak Mountain also contains several geo cache locations and information can be found at www.alacache.com.
The Ride
About 21 miles, the trail (red blazes) is one loop made up of mostly singletrack but some fire/forest/paved roads. Ride either direction. The trails are varied and heavily ridden, and expect to see riders of all ages and abilities, as well as hikers, back-packers, kids, dogs, anywhere on the trail. Please note that bikes are only permitted off road on the red trail. Fines are available from any park ranger for being caught on any other trail with a bike (whether you are riding or not!).
The trail is loosely made up of the following continuously connected sections (traveling counter-clockwise from the South Trailhead):
Lake Trail - This is a 4-5 foot wide level trail suitable for all ages and abilities. It offers some of the best views of the lake and the park itself. Please be cautious of horse traffic at trail intersections.
Rattlesnake Ridge - Narrow in places and twisty througout, this leg churner is sure to keep you on you toes. Rocks for texture, obstacles for fun and some short fast downhils in this 2.6 mile thrill ride through the dense pine forest of the park.
Family Trail- This .95 mile serene glide through the oaks is a great way to enjoy some singletrack without having to concentrate too much on the trail itself. There are some obstacles but nothing anyone can't handle.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride: All singletrack running counterclockwise along the loop from the South Trailhead approximately.85 miles. Ends at the junction of the bike trail and the horse trail next to Peavine Road. No hills but some tight turns and a few narrow spots between trees. Very smooth and flowing.
Foreplay: Continuing counterclockwise along the loop from the horse trail to the bottom of Johnson's Mountain, Foreplay is also all singletrack. Only 1/2 mile long, very smooth and flowing, and contains one sharp S-turn followed by a short bumpy downhill to the bottom of Johnson's Mountain. Go straight across the gravel lot at the bottom to get to Johnson's Mountain.
Johnson's Mountain: ~1.9 miles of hilly woody singletrack. The first section crosses a creek on a bridge then follows the creek, then climbs to the spine of Johnson's first ridge. Hundreds of manhours of trail work in 1997 by B.U.M.P. created a steady climb and quick descent along Johnson's other two ridges. Trail continues downhill through a banked turn and crosses a bridge before crossing Peavine Road.
BUMP Trail: This is singletrack that climbs about 1.25 miles to the Red Road at the top of the ridge. Hilly but smooth at the bottom, and rocky, technical and
steep at the top. A purpose-built log crossing, Blood Rock, and a set of tight, rocky switchbacks mark the upper part of the trail. Blood Rock is named after a red trail blaze painted onto a sharp rock next to the trail. Riding down is challenging but easy to master. Riding up is possible by only a few people - beware of the wet slippery rocks. Turn left onto the Red Road at the top of the BUMP trail.
Red Road:This is a fire road leading ~5 miles counterclockwise from the top of B.U.M.P. to the North Trailhead parking area. The last 2.5 miles are a heart pounding downhill, with 8 creek crossings made smooth by mortared flagstones placed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Great for catching big-air, but watch out for the rocky landings. Keep control of your bike, as the Red Road is also used by hikers, and bikers riding up-hill. The Red Road ends at the North Trailhead parking lot on the main park road. To continue on the bike trail, turn left ~100 yards before the gate at the end of the Red Road and follow the red trail markers across the bridge. **Do not turn left too early - this will take you down the yellow trail to Maggie's Glen: an area off-limits for bikes.
Cat Dog Snake: Woody, smooth singletrack running roughly parallel to the main park road. One moderate climb at the end places you at the park road leading to the cabins. Cross the cabin road (paved) to continue on the bike trail.
The Chimneys: After climbing to the top of the ridge from the cabin road and descending to the foot of the hill, look for the remnants of a cabin (especially the brick chimney) on your right. This singletrack trail takes you through tight turns where roots grab your wheel and trees grab your handlebars. After crossing a wooden bridge, look for the BMX track on your left. About 100 yards later the trail crosses Tranquility Rd. Water is available at the BMX area from a spigot at the end of the pavement by the big field. Cross the road and continue on the trail.
Group Primitive Camping Road: ~1.6 miles, a dirt access road suitable for cars. The singletrack picks up again on the left almost at the end of the Camping Road, before the gate. NOTE: The parking area by the gate is an alternative start/finish place for a ride, but please DO NOT BLOCK THE GATE if choosing to park here.
Seven Bridges: The final section of trail, actually contains 8 bridges (we only discivered this a couple of years ago when we numbered them!). ~1.9 miles of moderate uphill woody singletrack, very similar to Mr. Toad's, with more grade. It ends on Terrace Drive (the paved road on the way to the South Trailhead).Turn left onto Terrace Drive to get to the South Trailhead.
Terrace Drive to South Trailhead: Paved road, which passes the paddle boat house on the way to the South Trailhead parking area. ~ 0.85 miles, watch for crowds (in the summer and weekends especially) and cars with distracted drivers on this road.
Elevation Profile:
