Blankets Creek in Canton, Georgia, is a premier destination for mountain bikers of all skill levels. This trail system, maintained by SORBA Woodstock, offers a diverse network of trails, from beginner-friendly paths to challenging expert-level runs. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking adrenaline-pumping features, Blankets Creek has something to offer. Let’s dive into each of the seven trails that make up this fantastic riding area.
Mosquito Flats Trail: Beginner-Friendly Warm-Up
Trail Rating: Beginner
Fitness Level: Beginner
Technical Difficulty: Beginner
Length: 1.0 Mile
Mosquito Flats lives up to its name, offering a predominantly flat and smooth ride, perfect for warming up or for those new to mountain biking. This gentle singletrack meanders alongside the picturesque Blankets Creek and through serene woodlands. Expect a leisurely and enjoyable experience with minimal elevation changes. You’ll encounter a few small, flat bridges and a tiny 3-4 foot rise, but overall, Mosquito Flats is designed for an easy and confidence-boosting ride. It’s an excellent introduction to the Blankets Creek trail system and singletrack riding in general.
Mosquito Bite Trail: Stepping Up the Challenge for Beginners
Trail Rating: Beginner
Fitness Level: Beginner
Technical Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 0.7 Miles
Mosquito Bite serves as a natural progression from Mosquito Flats, introducing beginner riders to slightly more challenging trail features. While still classified as beginner-friendly, Mosquito Bite incorporates elements that will help riders develop their skills. You’ll navigate a winding boardwalk, encounter stone-armored creek crossings, and ride over elevated bridges. A switchback turn and a few short, small hills add to the variety. The appearance of roots and rocks provides a taste of the terrain found on the more advanced trails at Blankets Creek, allowing beginners to comfortably familiarize themselves with these common mountain biking obstacles.
Dwelling Loop: The Heart of Blankets Creek
Trail Rating: Intermediate with advanced features
Fitness Level: Intermediate
Technical Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 4.2 Miles
Dwelling Loop is the undisputed most popular and frequently ridden trail within Blankets Creek. This classic contour trail embodies the essence of singletrack riding in the region, showcasing a mix of rocks, roots, and undulating elevation changes. Known for its fast and flowing character, Dwelling allows riders to maintain momentum as they navigate seamlessly from one section to the next. Log crossings and strategically placed tight tree gates add elements of interest and require a bit of focus. For those progressing beyond beginner trails but not yet ready for advanced challenges, Dwelling offers a half-loop option, providing a 2-mile ride that still allows for skill development. Furthermore, bypass options are available around some of the more technically demanding sections, catering to a range of intermediate abilities. Dwelling is ideal for building fitness and honing skills in tackling technical combinations, such as navigating root-ledges on climbs.
Dwelling Loop also boasts the advanced Alt-Line trails, expanded to include two downhill flow options: Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues. Rock and Roll features high-speed berm turns, jumps, and exciting gully wall rides, reconnecting with the main Dwelling Loop and offering a return line named “Chutes and Ladders” for clockwise direction days. Rhythm and Blues mirrors Rock and Roll with similar features but amplifies the thrill with more significant jumps and two notable drops. It also links back to Dwelling Loop and provides a quick return spur on counter-clockwise days. These optional trails are consistently ridden in the same direction daily, independent of Dwelling’s directional flow, and add an extra layer of excitement for experienced riders.
South Loop: Backcountry Technical Challenge
Trail Rating: Advanced
Fitness Level: Intermediate
Technical Difficulty: Advanced
Length: 4.2 Miles
South Loop delivers a true backcountry mountain biking experience within Blankets Creek. This hand-cut trail is intentionally maintained with a minimalist approach, preserving its raw and natural feel. It’s a favorite among seasoned riders who appreciate technical challenges involving roots and rocks. Expect climbs to be more extended and steeper than those on Dwelling Loop, but the defining characteristic of South Loop is its abundance of rocks. Prepare for rock gardens, rocky creek crossings, rocky switchbacks, and sections of pure rock-n-roll. Trail features include tight switchbacks, multiple creek crossings, and a notable log ride, all contributing to its advanced rating and demanding ride.
Van Michael Trail (VMT): Amplitude and Flow
Trail Rating: Intermediate with advanced features
Fitness Level: Intermediate
Technical Difficulty: Intermediate
Length: 3.9 Miles
Van Michael Trail, often abbreviated as VMT, brings a different flavor to Blankets Creek with its emphasis on amplitude and flow. This machine-cut trail is relatively smooth but characterized by its sweeping climbs and descents across several peaks on the western side of the park. Bermed turns and switchbacks are plentiful, allowing fit riders to maintain considerable speed throughout the trail. Technical features are less prominent than on South Loop, primarily consisting of rocky sections near the notorious “Kevorkian Pass.” VMT also features a beautifully crafted log ride carved from a single fallen tree. If you subscribe to the philosophy of “earn your descents,” Van Michael Trail will be particularly rewarding.
The Holler: Expert-Level Flow and Air Time
Trail Rating: Expert
Fitness Level: Advanced
Technical Difficulty: Expert
Length: 0.25 Miles
The Holler is Blankets Creek’s dedicated free ride flow trail, designed purely for downhill thrills. Constructed on hard-packed, smooth Georgia red clay, The Holler is all about speed, flow, and air time. Expect berms, drops, jumps, and tabletops all the way down to the grand finale on the “Wall Ride.” This trail is built for repeated runs, offering a short but intense burst of adrenaline. It’s strongly recommended to scout The Holler carefully before committing to a full-speed run. While some lines allow riders to keep their wheels grounded, others feature significant gap jumps with substantial landings. As an Expert level trail, full-face helmets and body armor are highly recommended for riders seeking to maximize their experience and safely explore the full potential of The Holler.
Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails offer a comprehensive riding experience for everyone from beginners to seasoned experts. Plan your visit and discover the diverse and exciting terrain that awaits!
