Start the ride by following Forest Service Road 475C out of the parking lot. It's the paved road on your left if you're standing in the parking lot and facing the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education building, leading toward the towering John Rock mountain. This is NOT the trail that follows the Davidson River downstream - that's the Cat Gap Loop. There is a sign stating "Authorized Vehicles Only" hanging on the gate - however it's OK to follow this road on foot or on a bike. Go around the gate and immediately cross the bridge. Immediately after that, turn right onto the Cat Gap Loop trail.
This starts out with a steep push up log steps but moderates into a gently rolling trail just outside of a forest research area, marked by a green chain-link fence. There are a few technical spots and a tiny stream crossing. You'll come to a footbridge over Cedar Rock Creek; cross it, cross the gravel road just after it, and pick up the Cat Gap trail again on the other side. This steep climb needs re engineering and it's eroded, but it takes you up to an old roadbed soon and levels out. Then it turns into a moderately climbing trail that will take you high up along the side of the valley. Down below you on your left, you will pass the station where the water is diverted into the fish hatchery. The cold, clear waters of Cedar Rock Creek are perfect for raising the trout. There are rough sections and waterbars in places, and rhododendron tunnels. The trail will pass by a nice but overused campsite under some huge, dying or dead hemlock trees. Just downstream of this campsite there is a hidden waterfall. Listen for it - it's worth a visit but be careful around waterfalls and slick rocks. Just past this campsite is the intersection with the Butter Gap trail, marked by a big rock slab. Turn right here and ride through Picklesimer Fields, a relatively level area, with a grassy field. After that, there is a level to gently uphill section, where the trail runs close to the crystal clear mountain stream which you will follow all the way up to the headwaters. At the next intersection, turn left onto the Butter Gap trail to begin a fast, gradual, fun climb. There is another waterfall just off the left side of the trail; you can't miss it. The trail switches back and, for a short distance, becomes quite steep and technical near the upper reaches of the creek. At Butter Gap and trail intersection, make a sharp right onto the Art Loeb bypass trail. This last little climb will top out at about 3320' and bring you down to another intersection. Ride straight across, onto the gravel road heading downhill. This fast, fun downhill is becoming singletrack and has some nice turns. At the bottom, watch out for the gate and turn right onto FR 471. This is a tedious climb that will top out at about 3420' and begin to go down again, and end up in Gloucester Gap. Here, make a sharp right onto FR 475. This is another fast downhill, but beware of vehicles. After a steep section where you just get your speed back up, there will be a small parking pulloff and you will want to turn right here onto the Long Branch trail; this turn is easy to miss! Follow this trail that is slightly downhill and fairly technical; at the intersection with Cemetery Loop make a right. Another short climb and downhill will take you to an intersection with a gravel road (FR 5095), ride straight across and pick up the trail on the other side for some more downhill and rhododendron tunnels. You will then cross Searcy Creek and begin another short climb. After heading back down you will intersect back with the Butter Gap trail. Make a left here and backtrack to the fish hatchery and starting point.
This is certainly a ride worth repeating. On the second time, try riding the loop portion in the other direction for the steep, technical downhill on the Butter Gap trail.
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