more stats
1.1 miles
Distance
21 ft
Climb
-176 ft
Descent
00:06:42
Avg time
-155 ft
Altitude change
2,233 ft
Altitude min
2,410 ft
Altitude max
2,387 ft
Altitude start
2,234 ft
Altitude end
-2.8%
Grade
-13.1%
Grade max
3%
Grade min
1,319 ft
Distance climb
3,517 ft
Distance down
781 ft
Distance flat
00:06:42
Avg time

Explorer loop Descent Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Bent Creek Experimental Forest
    Bent Creek, North Carolina
  • Ref Number
    #337
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 75 in Trail Running
    • 80 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #56356 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #72504 in Trail Running
    • #62336 in Hiking
  • Hiking SAC Scale
    T1 Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Mixed
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Green
  • Physical Rating
    Easy
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Land Owner
    U.S. Forest Service

This is a fun flowing trail. Nothing to difficult so the beginner can ride it without panic. However you can get up some speed to raise the smile factor of the novice/intermediate rider as well.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 9 rides
  • 12 miles average
6 Months
  • 219 rides
  • 11 miles avg distance
All
  • 2,093 rides
  • Last: Aug 9, 2014
c1c2c3c4
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Explorer loop... Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Nov 16, 2025 @ 1:08pm (America/New_York)
Nov 16, 2025
Mar 1, 2025 @ 12:54pm
Mar 1, 2025
Dec 25, 2024 @ 1:27pm
Dec 25, 2024
Oct 23, 2024 @ 8:47am
Oct 23, 2024
 Minor erosion. Watch for areas of erosion that are hidden by leaf cover. Otherwise this trail is clear.
Aug 21, 2024 @ 1:15pm
Aug 21, 2024
more »
Status:
on Nov 16, 2025
Ideal
Avg: 4.12 (18 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
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  • > 96%
  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
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  • no data
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  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
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The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
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  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
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BC Backroad Status

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Slope Aspect
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Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to explorer-loop-descent trailhead (35.469410, -82.643310)

        Photos

        3 more »
        163 |
        Sep 25, 2021 @ 6:00am
        Sep 25, 2021
        242 |
        May 18, 2019 @ 12:08pm
        May 18, 2019
        146 |
        May 16, 2020 @ 8:53pm
        May 16, 2020

        Videos

        1 more »
        Mountain Biking Bent Creek // Pisgah //...
        8:13 | 983 | Jun 14, 2019 , Bent Creek

        Trail Lists

        Routes with this trail

        39
        Bent Creek Up & Easy Circuit
        ★ 4.0 • 8 miles • 855 ft • 21 • Loop •
        Starts with hard times connect to the for a gravel climb for 2.5 miles. Downhill from there via ,...
        14
        Bent Creek South From Pinnacle Loop
        8 miles • 846 ft • 10 •
        This route is what I used to ride every few months with the AVL Mountain Bike club. Just a nice chill...
        18
        Super Chill
        ★ 5.0 • 8 miles • 837 ft • 11 •
        twenty five characters...

        1 Review & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        Bent Creek Experimental Forest

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        Frequently Asked Questions About Explorer loop Descent

        ▼ Where is Explorer loop Descent located?
        Explorer loop Descent is located in Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Bent Creek, North Carolina, United States. It is part of the Bent Creek Experimental Forest trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 35.46941, -82.64331.
        ▼ How hard is Explorer loop Descent?
        Explorer loop Descent is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Easy. The average grade is 2.8%. The climb difficulty is rated Green.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Explorer loop Descent?
        Explorer loop Descent has 21 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 176 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 2,233 ft to 2,410 ft.
        ▼ Is Explorer loop Descent a point to point trail?
        Explorer loop Descent is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is mixed.

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