The Anniston Trailhead to Rock Slot and Back

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This loop takes you up Tortoise, Chilowhee, and the last bit of the Bomb Dog climb. On this particular route you come back down the same way you went up, but skip Tortoise and finish on a 2 mile descent called Hare.

The first 2.75 or so miles of this climb is called Tortoise and is fairly easy. At the top of Tortoise the trail intersects with a downhill trail called Trillium, which turns into Hare. You'll continue straight up another mile climb called Chilowhee until you reach a large intersection called the Rabbit Hole. Once at the Rabbit Hole you turn left and continue onto the second section of Chilhowee which flattens out along a ridgeline with beautiful views to the South.

Chilowhee then forks, and you'll turn right. Continue on until you reach the Bomb Dog climb and turn left. You'll follow this fairly easy ridgeline climb until you see a fireroad. You'll make almost a 180 degree turn to the left and enter a rocky and technical end to the climb. This is the Rock Slot climb.

Finish the climb with the "Rock Slot", which is a large rock garden alongside large boulders. Once through that section, take a right on to the fireroad and proceed down until you see the trail on the right. You'll turn back on to the trail going the same way you went up. (You do have the option once you reach the Rabbit Hole on the way down to take a trail called Trillium to the Hare/Tortoise and Chilowhee/Trillium intersection) You'll take Hare to the bottom once you reach the intersection of Tortoise/Hare. Hare is a 2 mile fast and flowy descent.

Most of this ride was built in 2013.