Tsali Wilderness or Rugged Bike Trails

April 26, 2013

After this trip I will no longer trust the printed trail guides other than references to scenery!

Bill wanted to find a canoe spot and I found an area for off road (mountain) biking.  Tsali Wilderness promised both.  NOTE:  Tsali is pronounced Sali as the “T” is silent.

Wild Iris on the trail

Tsali is a Cherokee hero. “This “average” man found himself in circumstances he might never have imagined, and his reaction to historical forces much greater than himself made him into a hero and martyr for the Cherokee who remained in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Tsali’s sacrifice, his death at the hands of a firing squad he chose for himself, proved to be a turning point in the history of the principal people; the present-day Eastern Band of Cherokee.” 

There are four trails at Tsali that provide fun for both equestrians and bicyclists.  The trails are shared by alternating usage days.  Friday the bicyclists had the Left and Right loops.  The Left loop is 11.9 miles and rated Moderate.  The Right loop is 13.9 miles, rated Easy, and has cut-off points at 4 and 8 miles.  This was a no-brainer; it was the Right loop for us (pun intended). 

After paying the trail use fee of $2 each we headed down the trail.  The trail is barely wider than a hiking trail with the requisite mud holes, sand spots, and exposed roots; how can you have an off-road trail without a little challenge? 

This trail overlooks the lake where we had just canoed providing reference points and a different perspective on the lake.  It winds along the ridge line, up and down the crevices, twists through the trees, and bumps over multiple roots.  The entire time you can peek at the lake… if you have time!

Taken before the trail ride!

After 1-1.5 hours we were looking for the cut-off; however, there were no trail markings or signs only one path heading up and down the side of the mountain, always twisting.  Remember this is a mountain bike trail.  Flat-landers eat your heart out.  Time for a photo break.

Trillium

Eventually we found a split in the trail and took the left path down-up-down-up-down which ends at a gravel service road, again no directions but left seemed wise.  Along come to gals who inform us it is about a mile back… a long mile.  Perhaps the trail is measured as the crow flies and not the actual path. 

Upon returning to the start I find the trail map… ah yes, our journey is now perfectly clear.  Where was this map when I needed it?