Buck Mountain, a back country classic!

Post ride chillin at the Wild Oak!

When I got the call a few weeks ago about a buddy, Ken Lee, wanting to bring a crew from the Roanoke area up to ride  the second week in December my first thought that this might be a  little bit of a weather gamble.  But the record breaking temperatures on Sunday opened the door to experience some riding that you don't usually get to enjoy in the winter.  If you have never heard of the Buck Mountain Trail  or the North River Trail (not North River Gorge Trail) you are probably not alone. These two trails are some of the most back country routes that our beautiful national forest west of town has to offer.  I suggest putting this on your too ride list if you like to experience big mountain, deeps woods riding.

The early gentle slopes of the North River Trail 

I warned the 8 person crew that it had been a few years since I had done this loop. I was pleasantly surprised by North River Trail, the wider double track corridor that I once remembered has been growing in nicely over the years creating a tighter single track corridor. The North River Trail is an alternative route over the "Death Climb" or the Wild Oak Trail  to get to Little Balk Knob area, it is probably the most friendly route as well, something the more downhill oriented crew enjoyed.  The upper portions of the climb give you the North Shore feel. The terrain of moist, moss and organic covered trail bed, and to even make it better it is paralleling the head waters of the North River. The large pine canopy is icing on the cake for any photo snapping junky.

A row of smiles on Buck Mountain

As the trail rolled out to the fire road that takes you to Little Bald Knob I warned the air jumping fools to be careful of trucks ruts that follow each jump. It did not take more then two jumps before the first victim was taken.  The report of "OK" rider but damaged bike was not reported to me until about a mile later, so while the crew refueled with Reddish, Flagpole, Meadow and Oak Knob all in the back ground, I headed back to see if I could help. Even though Lincoln seemed content to walk out of woods due to no hanger or derailleur I told him that was not an option this deep in the woods. 20 minutes later, after some creative mechanics and valuable lessons we were back riding to the group. (A few lessons here...der. hanger is only good if you have the tool to replace it, zip ties can do great things, always bring a chain connector link and a der cable is easy and valuable to stuff in your pack.).

Bear damaged signs deep in the woods.

If you have ever ridden out to Little Bald Knob, about half way out the fire road, there is a well marked fire road/trail on your left, this is the entrance to Buck Mountain.  The beginning fire road section quickly closes down to tight single track that had been freshly brushed this past year by the forest service. The open corridor was an early Christmas present to us all. Our group of speed lovers were amazed at the quick turns, the surprising rock fields and the steep shoots that define this epic trail.  With 2000' of descending behind us we had no problems getting our feet wet on this 70 degree winter day. The final 2 mile roll out in the drainage taking you to Hearthstone Dam is know for being wet. There is no fighting mother nature in this huge drainage.

By the time we returned to the Wild Oak Parking lot, our crew was done, with smiles and laughter overflowing the parking area.  I am sure this was the seen all across the forest on this warm winter day!

-Jenkini!