8.2 miles
Distance
986 ft
Climb
-985 ft
Descent
1,150 ft
High Point
This loop starts with a Red Road lung buster before getting to the fun stuff headed down Thunder and Lightning. After that is a scenic spin back to the parking lot on Garrett's Gulch, The Chimneys, and Cat Dog Snake. Best ridden clockwise.
Detailed Description
Thunder and Lightning Loop (Short) is a 8 mile popular expert route located near Pelham Alabama. This mountain bike only route. This route includes 9 trails. This route climbs 986 ft with a max elevation of 1,150 ft then descends -985 ft.
Local Trail Association
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28 Reviews & Comments
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+ 1
JDCMTB2007
(Aug 24, 2022 at 18:15)

Trail Lightning
Definitely the most fun trail at the state park. Super fast and flowy and littered with jumps.
[Reply]


Trail Garrett's Gulch
If you disagree with the rating, please submit your own rating on the trail page. It really helps the trail managers if enough people give their opinions. I f a number of people rate it the same as you do they will reconsider.
[Reply]
JDCMTB2007
(Aug 14, 2022 at 20:17)

Trail Garrett's Gulch
100 Percent agree. Although there is that one Black diamond gap jump on it.
[Reply]
DiabeticMTB
(Mar 21, 2020 at 15:54)
This is a great trail and the first climb is hard but not impossible. The downhill is amazing and thunder IS named thunder for a reason. But if thunder is to ruf for you keep pushing on becausr lighting is full of optional feature and downhill flow
[Reply]

Trail Thunder
Jumps n turns. Watch out for gap jumps w holes after takeoff ramp if u are putsing down.
Not really a black until u go fast. Rideable by most anyone. But pros will enjoy it at intended speeds. Downhill only
[Reply]
Not really a black until u go fast. Rideable by most anyone. But pros will enjoy it at intended speeds. Downhill only
JDCMTB2007
(Jul 13, 2022 at 8:36)

Trail Thunder
It’s not downhill only lol there are literally so many climbs.
[Reply]


Trail Thunder
Indeed, and I used to climb it all the time. Fun both ways, great for repeats. Very rarely any traffic.
[Reply]
JDCMTB2007
(Sep 3, 2022 at 12:34)

Trail Thunder
Hey boris! How was Oak Mountain for you? Did you like Storyteller? If so what were your opinions on it!
[Reply]

Trail Thunder
This particular trails is the topic and it is marked "downhill only" . I think you are saying that within the entire trails system of Oak Mountain there are also climbs, yes, there are plenty of other trails, most are not marked with a direction. Trails on a big hill are climbs going up and descents going down. IF it is marked "downhill only" then watch for fast downhillers railing a corner, keep your head up just in case, no, not a lot of riders all the time, so possible to go up the down escalator and never see anyone.
[Reply]


Trail Thunder
Hey AJ -- there is a portion of this trail (a different entry off of boulder ridge) that is downhill only, but thunder as a whole is not direction-specific. Lightning down below it is downhill-only, however! I think what JDC meant to convey is that there are some significant grade reversals on this "downhill" that make it far from a pure downward slope top to bottom.
[Reply]


Trail Thunder
I enjoyed it! I think I came out on the hottest week on record in Alabama, so I b-lined straight to it from STH and pushed up from the bottom where it meets thunder so I could check out the lines. Some of the landings were a little short, and will probably erode quickly, but such is the nature of steep trails. Overall enjoyed the plop drops & terrain in general. I feel locals could probably use some "in between" features to bridge the gaps in technical requirements. Would love to ride again when it's not so hot!
[Reply]
Trails in Route
3 miles | |||||
2 miles | |||||
351 ft | |||||
289 ft | |||||
3,228 ft | |||||
4,885 ft | |||||
4,219 ft | |||||
1 mile | |||||
256 ft |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlack Diamond
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Bike typeAM, XC
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Ridelogs
More Stats for Thunder and Lightning Loop (Short) mountain bike route
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Altitude change1 ft
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Altitude min531 ft
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Altitude start598 ft
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Altitude end600 ft
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Grade max-36.5%
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Grade min30.9%
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Distance climb4 miles
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Distance down3 miles
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Distance flat3,501 ft
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Photos
Videos

First drop in years.
trail: Lightning
0:16 | 1061 | comments: 0 | favs:
Aug 29, 2017
My first "big" huck in five years.

oak mtn lightning trail
trail: Lightning
2:38 | 1066 | comments: 9 | favs:
Nov 1, 2012
me & Chris rippin
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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