Waterville Epic

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Haywood County, NC, US

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Rollin' Appalachia

Exploring Southern Appalachia on two wheels

106 km

2.534 m

A truly epic route in the wilderness of the Appalachian Mountains. Big gravel climbs and descents along the Smoky Mountains and some fantastic overlooks make this a must do ride.

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This is a multi-surface ride...most of the ride is on gravel, with  only a third (24.5 miles) of the loop on quite (and awesome) paved country roads. This loop is know for its long climbs and fast gravel descents. Be prepared for this one, as it's earned the name "epic" for a reason.

# Route

* There are two recommend places to park for this route.  First is at the @poi[park parking lot](2320320) near the power plant. There are (seasonal) bathrooms on site. The second place would be the @poi[trailhead parking](2320318) lot within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I prefer the public park lot since it gives you a little more (1 mile) @slice[easy pedalling](d,0,1475.48) befor you start climbing. If you park at the National Park lot, it's about a quarter mile warmup before you climb.
* This ride can be broken down into three parts: @slice[Mt Sterling gravel road](d,1593.92,26478.69), @slice[the paved Fines Creek section](d,26489.94,62935.59), and the @slice[Harmon Den gravel section](d,60434.72,98087.49).
* After a short warmup ride from the parking lot, you turn onto @slice[Mt Sterling Road](d,1471.11,26478.69)...a very solid climb. Its starts off paved as it ascends around some switchbacks, but then quickly switches over to gravel. Overall, you will be @slice[steadily climbing for the next 6+ miles](d,1503.3,11627.2). After about 4 miles of climbing, you see @point[FS 288](d,98025.99) on your left. This is the beginning/end of the loop, you'll be back at this intersection in about 5 hours? After summiting the first peak, you'll be treated with a fun and twisty @slice[4 mile downhill followed immeadiately by 3.2 mile climb](d,11627.2,26478.69), ending at the @photo[National Park boundary](1886198). At mile 14.8, its worth riding a quarter mile down Cattaloochee Entrance Road to see the @photo[view](1886201) from the @poi[first pulloff](2320316).
* Once leaving the Park, you'll start the paved middle section of the route with a @slice[fast downhill](d,26645.19,34543.86). At mile 21.5 the loop makes a @point[left](d,37860.07) onto White Oak Road. You'll probably want to leave the loop here and continue south for a mile to pick up some @poi[food](2320314) and drinks at the @poi[gas stations](2320315) along US-276.
* Continuing on the route on @slice[White Oak](d,37933.54,46778.57), @slice[Fines Creek](d,46794.62,54473.07), and then @slice[Max Patch Roads](d,56589.48,60359.5), you'll be on some awesome rural roads that meander through country.  The roads are generally rolling, but from start to finish of this mid-section, you'll be gaining elevation.
* At mile 37.5 the route switches to @slice[gravel and then the climbing starts again](d,59666.23,68135.17). You'll climb for about five miles, with some views as you near the top. Once peaking this moutain, you'll be rewarded with a @slice[L-O-N-G 7.5 mile gravel descent](d,68135.17,80426.14)...fast and fun.  At mile 50, you start @slice[your last climb](d,81943.3,91697.84), a bit easier than what you've already climbed.  At mile 54.5, be on the lookout for a hiking trail on your left side. This is the trail that lead to @poi[Buzzards Rock](2320317)...a fantastic overlook of the @photo[tunnel on I40](1886202). Definitely a highlight of this route.
* At mile 60.9, you'll reach the interestion with Mt. Sterling Road with only a @slice[4 mile gravel downhill](d,97999.89,104399.39) left to finish off this ride.

# Notes

* This ride can be done anytime of the year.  In the winter it gets pretty cold on the tops of the mountains.  There also may be snow/ice on the roads at the higher elevations.
* You could shorten this route by doing an out and back on @slice[Mt Sterling Road](d,1503.3,26564.11).
* A gravel or cross bike is probably the best bike for this route. A mountain bike would work, but it may be a bit slow on the paved sections.  Road bike are not reccomended.
* Cell service is very limited on this route. Do not depend on it
* There are a couple @poi[gas stations](2320315) about a third of the way on this route. Other than that, no services on route.  There are a few @point[streams](d,74549.1) to get water from if you have a water filter.
* I suggest taking along the Trails Illustrated [map #229](http://www.natgeomaps.com/great-smoky-mountains-national-park), "Great Smoky Mountains National Park".

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Waterville Epic

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