The XC Loop at Spring Mountain is a challenging "all-mountain" kind of ride. Although short, it is one of the most technical ~4 miles of technical singletrack in the area.
The XC Loop at Spring Mountain can be divided into 5 majors sections heading clockwise from the lower parking area and base lodge.
The initial
Lower Loop starts at the end of the lodge parking lot with a quick, punchy, technical hill followed by some fast, flowing singletrack punctuated by a couple of easy rock gardens.
After riding the
Lower Loop, make a sharp left hand turn into a short but very technical section of trail called
Copperhead Canyon. Begin by climbing a winding hill with several difficult rock features and ladder bridges to a ridgeline. Then begin the downhill with a really challenging rock garden with several line options to the infamous
Rock Lizard. Ride the
Rock Lizard (try to stay off your brakes) into a couple of winding switchbacks to some more fast, flowing singletrack.
Goat Hill begins with two small stream crossing to an optional but fun 50-foot tree ride that's five feet off the ground then takes the long, steep, and winding hill to the top of the mountain. Save some gas for the final push which is THE "!Goat Hill".
Once at the top of the mountain, begin descending down the backside on
Area 51 along one of the best and fastest, albeit short, downhills along the XC Loop. There are many line options and some fun, small rock drop options.
After making a hard 90-degree right turn, you'll start grinding uphill again and eventually come to the most difficult hill climb in the loop on the "Switchbacks". These are a steep, technical, heartbreaking experience for many riders.
Lastly comes the
Backside DH. This is the final section of the XC Loop, which follows one of the old DH trails down the backside of the mountain to the
Perkiomen Trail. The
Backside DH has several variations, some of which have large rock drops. All the DH features have go-arounds but proceed with caution as the trail is fast but is so much fun, you'll want to ride the loop again - just to do it.
After hitting the
Perkiomen Trail, stay to the right and head back towards Spring Mountain's lower parking lot to begin your second loop!
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