Location: Jefferson National Forest
near Arcadia, VA
Ride Parking / Meet Up Location:
37.54274,-79.585101
http://goo.gl/maps/k6hVT
At 9am on Sunday April 17th mountain bike adventurers will embark on the 4th annual attempt of the Terrapin Mountain Predicament and 2016 will be the first year Trail Runners will attempt this epic too!
The AT parallels the BRP in this region so on the short sections where cyclists are enjoying the BRP runners use the AT!
TMP is widely considered among the very best VES routes and many have commented afterward that it's the best mtb ride they've ever done - anywhere. TMP also covers many of the same trails legendary ultrarunner trail race, the Terrapin Mountain 50k,
Distance options are 17, 36, 41 (full route) and there's even an 63 mile ultra-mega option (that no one has ever completed).
The the "Full" route as crafted by living legend Kyle Inman is 41 miles with over 9,000 feet of climbing. TripTik is below. | Link:
Details & GPX file |
CLICK HERE for a printable PDF
There are *loads* of ways to shorten this ride (3 shorter options are illustrated below) so come and enjoy as much adventure mountain biking goodness as you're up for!
New is a 100+km ULTRA route 62.9 miles, +13,167 feet. This option has never been completed and is only possible for the most fit, experienced and skilled back country mountain bikers. ULTRA Route:
Part 1 |
Part 2 |
Part 3.
Like all Virginia Endurance Series events, this is FREE! Be well fueled, super hydrated and ready to roll at 9am. Estimated ride time 6.5+ hours.
Note: If you plan to do the full epic (to the summit of Terrapin and looping back) one stream crossing is may get your feet wet, so consider bringing an extra pair of socks.
 |
*Top Tube Frame Sticker*
Legendary Jens Voigt quote and
Virginia Endurance Series mantra. |
TMP Full-Course Navigation: 41.9 miles | 9,995 feet
GPX File |
How-To navigate with GPX Track Files using a Smartphone or Garmin 800/810 (Gaia GPS is Rob Issem's recommended smartphone app for GPX navigation.)
The National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map #789 (Lexington / Blue Ridge Mts) shows most of the Predicaments trails. A scanned copy, with the course marked in as best as I could, is below the TripTik.
The TripTik as written by the legend:
- Start/finish - bridge over North Creek past campground
- Go up dirt road to apple orchard trail, which begins with a wooden bridge.
- Sharp Right turn to stay on the trail.
- Take Apple Orchard trail 1.2 miles turn left to go over the wood bridge across the creek leading to Parker's Gap dead end.
- Take Parker's Gap dirt road 2.1 miles to intersection of FS 812.
- Right on 812 3.1 miles to BRP overlook.
- Go straight across parkway, look for trail/fire rd on left, go around gate and continue until trail opens up into a field, cross field and
- Bear left (NE)out of field onto singletrack 3004
- Singletrack opens to grassy 2 track, Salad Hill, still 3004
- Take 2 track several miles eventually passing through a gate. You will come back through this gate after tackling Terrapin Mt.
- Go 1 mile to Camping Gap. Terrapin Mt trail is on right,
- go around gate to enter Terrapin Mt Trail, up a steeep climb for a few hundred feet, then turn left onto trail marked by yellow blaze to stay on trail (do not go straight).
- Take trail across ridge.
- Gorgeous, technical, very sweet and stop to take in the stunning view off of the left side of the ridge from the rocks near the summit.
- Trail descent becomes a boulder strewn hike. I think very skilled back country rock riders could ride virtually all of this very technical descent. Classic.
- Trail dumps onto open road. You'll pick up a lot of speed and be having a blast. Keep your eyes peeled for trail 3009 on right, it's easy to blow by. If you reach a gate you've gone too far - trail is BEFORE gate.
- 3009 is a nice rolling contour trail around the base of Terrapin, beautiful with easily rideable stream crossings, until you reach the one before the gate. You can stay dry while crossing this one by walking from rock to rock.
- Go thru gate and turn right to climb along creek on fire road.
- Eventually arrive at a brisk creek that's wide (maybe 30 feet on 3/3/2013) and 1/2 wheel deep but rideable. You can walk across and stay dry on the left but it's a little tricky.
- After creek turn right onto trail, climbing, climbing, and then climbing.
- After a couple miles, a hard switchback right will appear. Take that, bringing you back to Camping Gap just feet from the Terrapin Mt trail from earlier.
- Take left back up dirt road 3004.
- Go through gate. Shortly thereafter spot fire road on right, White Oak Ridge 3011.
- 3011 will present a right turn option shortly thereafter. Stay left.
- Proceed upwards for about 2 miles, eventually arriving at BRP across from giant golf ball radar dome.
- Left on BRP to Sunset Field fire road on left, ridden earlier.
- This time, exit field to right, SW, on Onion Mt section of the horse trail.
- Trail will climb sharply at first. Stay alert for hard right turn once climbing eases. Trail is marked.
- Take rough singletrack about a mile to Overstreet road and falls.
- Take right, upwards, on Overstreet dirt road. Go 1.4 miles to BRP, mostly steep climbing.
- Take a right, north, on BRP, 2 miles back to Sunset Field overlook on left.
- Take Apple Orchard Falls trail from overlook down sweet, tech singletrack.
- Upon arriving at open fire road, take a left. Fire road descends for a bit, climbing abruptly near the end.
- Stay straight at top of steep climb onto Cornelius Creek Trail. Awesome, you are almost done!
- Go 2 miles down Cornelius Creek trail, eventually arriving back at North Creek road.
- Go down North Creek Road to bridge. Done.
The Terrapin Mountain Predicament Route Overview:
(Red Arrows = Out, Blue Arrows = Return)
If you print the TripTik and the above map you have a good chance of staying on course.
This ~36 mile route is what most riders were able to complete in the 2013 TMP:
North Creek and Cornelius Option Overview:
North Creek, Sunset Field, Onion Mt, Hereformost Mt, Apple Orchard & Cornelius Trail Option Overview:
North Creek, Sunset Field, White Oak Ridge, Apple Orchard & Cornelius Trail Option Overview:
CAMPING
At Start/Finish - North Creek Campground (toilets only)
6.7 Miles from Start/Finish - Cave Mountain Lake Campground (bathrooms w showers)
