Distance:17.4 miles
Elevation Gain:3326.91 feet
The Black Loop starts out following the same course as the Red Loop, but with so many trails at Kessler Mountain State Park, when Red Loop runners hit their highest point, Black Loop runners will be saying ‘what’s next?’ More climbing, that’s what’s next! The Black Loop will continue climbing (with a few downhill respites thrown in) to our highest point in any loop at just over 1800’. We take advantage of all of the amazing single track available at this park hopping from Eggbeater to Spellbound to Chinkapin Oak to Terrapin Station, Last Call, and Saddle Up. As you finish up Saddle Up, you’ll realize you’ve made it back to some form of civilization with views of soccer and baseball fields, parking lots and roundabouts - don’t worry, you’re only just the sidewalks around these areas as a means to an end - in this case, the major aid station which will show up around mile 10, just before you jump back onto some more trails. You’ll follow the Fayetteville Traverse back to where you left your friends on the Red Loop. With just over 4 miles to go, you’ll spend the rest of your time with Red Loop runners, heading back across the road, through the neighborhood, up a few more hills, re-join the Yellow Loop runners, and finally the Green Loop runners before overlooking the camping and Village area and down that one final section through the Ragnar arch!
Distance:17.4 miles
Elevation Gain:3326.91 feet
The Black Loop starts out following the same course as the Red Loop, but with so many trails at Kessler Mountain State Park, when Red Loop runners hit their highest point, Black Loop runners will be saying ‘what’s next?’ More climbing, that’s what’s next! The Black Loop will continue climbing (with a few downhill respites thrown in) to our highest point in any loop at just over 1800’. We take advantage of all of the amazing single track available at this park hopping from Eggbeater to Spellbound to Chinkapin Oak to Terrapin Station, Last Call, and Saddle Up. As you finish up Saddle Up, you’ll realize you’ve made it back to some form of civilization with views of soccer and baseball fields, parking lots and roundabouts - don’t worry, you’re only just the sidewalks around these areas as a means to an end - in this case, the major aid station which will show up around mile 10, just before you jump back onto some more trails. You’ll follow the Fayetteville Traverse back to where you left your friends on the Red Loop. With just over 4 miles to go, you’ll spend the rest of your time with Red Loop runners, heading back across the road, through the neighborhood, up a few more hills, re-join the Yellow Loop runners, and finally the Green Loop runners before overlooking the camping and Village area and down that one final section through the Ragnar arch!
