Mountain Biking in Big South Fork

I've always heard that it's better to be lucky than good. Well, I was lucky the morning I discovered this approximately two-mile (four miles total) out-and-back, just outside of Bandy Creek Campground. I had seen the double-track road in my headlights the night before, but I decided to go on to the more developed camping area instead. The next evening, though, after a long day in the saddle exploring some of the area's many trails, I decided to make camp a little way down the gravel road. After setting up and having supper, I took out my newly purchased National Geographic Trails illustrated map for Big South Fork to see where the road in front of the campsite went. The road was not shown on this otherwise detailed and accurate topo map. I could hardly wait to get started exploring.

I set out the next morning after breakfast, expecting the road to dead-end quickly, as so many abandoned logging roads do. Fifty yards from camp I startled a deer and it bolted down the mountain. I had already seen two painted turtles and was just beginning to forget about the odometer when I came to the power lines about a mile from camp. I was happy to see the double-track twisting past the massive stanchions and back into the woods. I surprised a turkey beside a rather large pond on the left. Not long after that, I came to a right turn in the road, marking a long and fairly steep descent. I took it, and at the bottom, I traveled through a ridge-line basin where deep potholes were lined with frogs. When I finally made it to the exposed rock that anchors the northernmost end of Big Ridge, I knew I had found a special spot. The leaves blocked most of the view, but I could tell that in late fall and winter, after the leaves have fallen, I would have a commanding view of the river and plateau. A game trail led down to where I knew the John Muir Trail (hiking only) lay, but I stayed and explored the rock, whose thick carpet of crinkly moss felt good under my bare feet.

Finding the trail: Leave Oneida on TN 297, headed west. About 10 minutes out of town, TN 297 turns left at Terry and Terry Store where a forest servicebrown sign points the way to Big South Fork. Travel several slow, switchbacking miles on the descent into the river canyon and the climb back out. Once back on top, turn right toward Bandy Creek Campground on Bandy Creek Campground Road. Approximately 1 mile after the turn, look for the gravel road on the right. It's in a sharp left-hand curve of the paved road. Park by the road or pull in to the campsite to begin the ride. Or park at the visitor center, on down the road about a mile on the left.

Notes on the trail: The trail begins where the gravel road intersects Bandy Creek Campground Road. Go across the powerline right-of-way at approximately the 1.2 mile mark. After leaving Scott State Forest (a sign will mark this point), ride downhill and through a low area and climb back up a ways. An old road forks to the right, goes up to the top, and then stops. Take the left fork instead to find the Big Ridge Rock just a quarter mile away. This is a good place to spend some quiet and secluded time.

View: Trail Map