Just a short drive west of Charlotte - the Poston trail is a volunteer effort of the Piedmont Area Singletrack Alliance(PASA) Club. What's in a name you ask - well, while the trail is short this is some great "singletrack," so PASA hit the mark! Nestled into the ravined watersheds of the western feeder to the Catawba River at the foot of 1250ft Spencer Mountain, Poston trail wisely uses opposing ridgelines to create a challenging loop within a very small footprint. You are always either ascending or descending, there is not very much flat on which to get bored!
The trail is one way counter-clockwise. It appears to drain and dry very well, there are a lot of benched hillside climbs. The descents are short and quick, some twisty. Be sure to maintain speed because there is usually an immediate climb after! There are several small jumps and drops, several bridges (a couple are 20ft long over an impressive, scenic creek).
Trail surface is a well-packed mineral-clay dirt with very little rolling resistance.
This trail would be a good challenge for a beginner who has a few months of singletrack experience; intermediate-advanced riders will find the constant terrain change fun, and can easily do multiple laps to get their distance in. While there are no wet or muddy spots on a normal day, please respect the trail--do not ride for at least 24 hours after rain.
Park gates open at 6am and close at 11pm.
DIRECTIONS FROM CHARLOTTE, NC:<br />- I-85 South to Gaston County <br />- Take McAdenville exit....Exit 23 off I-85<br />- At the top of the exit ramp, turn RIGHT onto McAdenville Rd <br />- At the first light turn RIGHT onto Main Street <br />- "George Poston" park entrance will be about 2 miles up on the LEFT <br />Exact park address: 1101 Lowell-Spencer Mountain Rd<br />- Park in the first lot on the left by the first ball field and then ride your bike back towards the park entrance.....trailhead will be on the RIGHT<br />
http://www.singletracks.com/item.php?c=1&i=1970