Wildcat Multi-Surface

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Monroe County, TN, US

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Rollin' Appalachia

Exploring Southern Appalachia on two wheels

88 km

2.299 m

A multi-surface route that has multiple, long, gravel road climbs in the back country of Cherokee NF and a screemin' fast descent of Cherohala Skyway. This is a route for the mountain goats.

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A mixture of gravel and paved surfaces, this loop will certainly test the climbers out there. You'll ascent three significant climbs, all of which are gravel, before connecting to the paved Cherohala Skyway and the (mostly) descent back to your car. Out of the 55 miles,  about 13 miles of the route is paved (most of which is on the Skyway). While at times you'll feel far out there, there are a few resupply spots and route options to shorten up the loop.

# Route

* The most convenient place to @poi[park](2023682) is on the gravel pulloff on River Road, about 500' on your right, right after you turn off of Cherohala Skyway.
* After a extremely short @slice[paved & level warmup](d,0,620.25), this route starts off with a bang.  Make a right onto Wildcat Rd. and start climbing. @slice[Wildcat is an undulating gravel climb](d,600.98,10323.28) with some steady grades and few downhills thrown in to spice it up.
* @slice[FS 126](d,10345.42,14646.97) (Bald River Rd.) is up next. This @slice[gravel climb](d,10323.28,14646.97) is a little harder than Wildcat since it gets steeper (and a little looser) as you go. You'll be rewarded of some @photo[nice views](1665961) toward the top of climb that allow you to see how much elevation you've already conquered and whats to come. If you happen to see a radio tower up on the mountain on your right side...smile, that's where you're headed.
* The fianl leg of climb #1 is optional, as its an out and back. @slice[Tower Road](d,14636.31,16854.21), is kinda a bear. It follows a @photo[powerline cut](1665963) up to the top of the mountain, starting with a steady climb, then getting steeper, looser, and sometimes rocky.  There are a few switchback to ease the @photo[grade](1666053), but overall, its a pretty solid third leg of an opening climb.  You're doing this climb for the challenge, as the lookout tower is gone and the trees obstruct most of the view on top.  At the top, take a quick breather, turn around and enjoy the @slice[fast and sketchy descent](d,16843.27,19008.38) back to FS 126. 
* After Tower Rd, take the @slice[steep & twisty descent](d,19059.42,22583.64) on FS 126 toward @point[Holly Flats Campground](d,22733.05). There's a nice section of @slice[flat road](d,21990.4,24911.12) (hence the name Holly Flats) @photo[along the stream](1665966), before you do a @slice["easier" climb](d,25565.33,28735.76) over the next ridge. This section is the "calm between the storms."
* Up next is the big one...@slice[N River Rd](d,36010.87,51618.1). It starts off as a river grade climb, and then hangs out in the 7%-10% grade range for its majority.  Oh yeah, its gravel too.  Expect to climb for an hour or more, before turning onto @slice[pavement on the Cherohala](d,51618.1,53030.23), and then you climb some more.  Pristine Appalachian Wilderness all around.
* Cherohala Shyway...an iconic road.  Multiple pulloffs with @photo[fantastic views](1665967). Get ready for a @slice[fast (and long) descent](d,54761.41,69703.78).
* You'll exit the Skyway at the @point[Indian Boundary Exit](d,69724.32). From here on out you have a mix of paved and gravel roads, with multiple ups and downs, to take you back to your car.

# Notes

* The ride can be done any time of the year.  Expect random mountain thunderstorms in the summer, and possibly snow at the high elevations in the winter.  Warm weather brings many motorcycles to the skyway.
* There are many ways to shorten this route. 1. you can skip the @slice[Tower Rd.](d,14646.97,19039.57) out and back. 2. You can skip the N River Rd. climb, and instead @point[take the paved river grade descent](d,35091.98) back to you car.
* We like riding gravel bikes with a minimum of 40mm tires, 1.8" mt bike tires work pretty well too. You want fast rolling tire that has some grip... you'll have some loose climbs and descents, but also some fast road sections.   Suspension is not needed, but either bring your climbing legs or some lower gears. 
* Cell phones don't really work here.  Don't depend on them.
* There are a few places to get water and food. Right at the start, you can get water at the @poi[ranger station](2023683).  In the little camping town of Green Cove there is a @poi[camp store](2023680), and right before the N River Climb there is water and bathrooms at the @poi[Game Check Station](2023679). Slightly off route at Indian Boundary Campground, there is a @poi[camp store](2023681).
* Bring along Trails Illustrated [Map # 781](http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/ngs/product/maps/trail-maps/tennessee/781-tellico-and-ocoee-rivers--cherokee-national-forest--trail-map?npd&npd&) "Tellico and Ocoee Rivers" just in case...

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Wildcat Multi-Surface

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