Fire Mountain Inferno Enduro Weekend

One Entry Fee Buys Two Days of Racing

Adults (18 & Over)

Nov 1-April 19 – $70

On-Site – $85

Juniors (17 & Under)

Nov 1-Apr 19 – $20

On-Site – $20

Schedule

Friday, April 21

Time TBA – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Motion Makers Bikes (516 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee)

Saturday, April 22

7:30 AM-9:30 AM – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Motion Makers Bikes (516 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee)

9:15 AM – Racer meeting at Trail Head

9:30 AM – All racers up trail

TBA – Awards Ceremony at Motion Makers

Sunday, April 23

7:30 AM-9:30 AM – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Motion Makers Bikes

9:15 AM – Racer meeting at Trail Head

9:30 AM – All racers up trail

TBA – Awards Ceremony at Motion Makers

Courses

The Enduro races will start near the trail head in the upper parking lot of the Oconoluftee Village. The Cross Country races will start at the Cherokee Festival Grounds and begin with a climb on pavement to the trail head.  

The 2023 Enduro Stages 

Saturday 

Use Uktena trail to climb to the top of the mountain

Spearfinger Stage – Starting at the very top of the mountain, this stage uses all of Spearfinger and ends at Lazy Elk.

Upper Kessel Run Stage – Starting at the top of the mountain at the upper pavilion and finishing shortly after the flyover, mid-mountain. After the stage finish, continue along the flat mid-section of Kessel Run to transfer to the Lower Kessel Run Stage.

Lower Kessel Run Stage – Includes the downhill final section of Kessel Run and then merges with the bottom of Lazy Elk. This stages shares a finish with the Spearfinger / Lazy Elk Stage at the lower Pavilion.

Skilly Stage – Starting at the lower pavilion, this stage uses all of the brand new Skilly trail. The wooden features will be mandatory for the Expert Class, optional for all other categories. After finishing this stage, use the Skilly Return trail to climb back to the lower pavilion.

Day 1 Course Map

Sunday 

Use Spearfinger Trail to climb to the top of the mountain

Upper Kessel Run Stage – Starting at the top of the mountain at the upper pavilion and finishing shortly after the flyover, mid-mountain. After the stage finish, continue along the flat mid-section of Kessel Run to transfer to the Lower Kessel Run Stage.

Skilly Stage – Starting at the lower pavilion, this stage uses all of the brand new Skilly trail. The wooden features will be mandatory for the Expert Class, optional for all other categories. After finishing this stage, use the Skilly Return trail to climb back to the lower pavilion.

Upper Uktena Stage

Waya to Lower Uktena Stage

Sunday Course Map

Other info:

• Tinker’s Dream or Lower Tinker’s can be used to transfer across the bottom of the mountain from the trailhead to the lower pavilion. Be aware of 2-way traffic! 
• Each stage segment is for downhill traffic only. Do NOT ride back up any of the stages. 
• You can complete the stages in any order. If there is a big crowd waiting to start a stage, move along and pick a different stage with a smaller line. 
• You must complete all stages within the overall time frame for the day. 
• Refreshments will be served at both the upper and lower pavilions (Ravens Roost and Overlook Lounge). 
• Basic mechanical support will be available at the lower pavilion (Overlook Lounge). 

Swag

All racers will receive an event shirt and special gift.  

Prize Drawings

One lucky, pre-registered Fire Mountain Inferno participant will win a mountain bike valued at $3,000.  All those who pre-register (i.e. enter on or before April 19)  will receive one ticket for the drawing. The winning name will be drawn during the awards ceremony on Sunday but you don’t have to be present to win. A special thanks to the EBCI Commerce Division  for making this possible.

Those who race both day will be automatically entered into more drawings that will take place on Sunday and where you do need to be present to win.  These include:

• A full set of alloy wheels from Industry 9 ($1630 value)
• $100 gift certificates from Club Ride
• Chain ring and coaching sessions from Endless Bike Company
• $500 worth of merchandise from Weevil
• Sunglasses from Julbo Sunglasses
• A men’s jersey, a women’s jersey, 2 pairs gloves, and 1 hat from Cognitive Clothing

E-Bikes

We will follow the UCI, Class 1 rules for E-Bike: No throttle, 250w maximum, 20 MPH maximum, no extra battery.  All E-Bikes must pass a pre-race inspection at our technical support tent before being allowed to start.

There will be no distinction between age in this category. 

Timing

The Enduro races are chip timed with your time recorded for each run.  Timing chips will be distributed each day at the Indian Village Parking lot near the trail head.  They must be returned at the same place after your final run.

2021 Photos (Courtesy of A&M Sports)

Saturday Enduro

Sunday Cross Country (Beginner & Junior)

Sunday Cross Country

Sunday Cross Country

Sunday Cross Country (Expert)

The area around BC Outdoors will host all event festivities over the weekend.  There will be music, vendors, sponsors beer, and food from a local food truck and the awards ceremonies for all events.

Each registered rider will receive a meal ticket good for one meal at either of our food trucks and, for our 21+ riders, a beer ticket.

Awards will be handed out on both days of racing in the following categories:

Expert – Top 3 M/F receive cash ($200-1st, $100-2nd, $50-3rd) and a commemorative prize

Sport – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize

Beginner – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize

Junior – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize

Master 50+ – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize

E-Bikes – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize

The Enduro races are chip timed with your time recorded for each run.  Timing chips will be distributed on each race day at the Indian Village Parking lot near the trail head.  They must be returned at the same place after your final run.

Parking will be available at three locations for the event:

• Motion Makers/Visitor Center parking lot
• Parking lots around the Council House (look for old tank in front)
• Parking lots across Drama Road, behind Qualla Arts and Post Office

Parking will not be permitted in the parking lot at the museum and the Trailhead/Indian Village Parking lot

Download A Parking Map

Directions
From Asheville, NC (approximately 1 hour)
Take I-40 west to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy 19. Turn left at first traffic light – Tsali Boulevard. The Cherokee Fairgrounds are approximately ..3 miles on the left.

From Knoxville, TN (approximately 2 hours)
Take I-40 east into North Carolina to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 beyond Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S. Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy. 19. Turn left at first traffic light – Tsali Boulevard. The Cherokee Fairgrounds are approximately ..3 miles on the left.

From Atlanta, GA (approximately 2.5 hours)
Take I-85 north to I-985 which becomes U.S. 23 north, and eventually becomes U.S. 23/441 north. You will travel through the towns of Clayton, GA, Franklin, NC, and Dillsboro, NC. Just beyond Dillsboro, take U.S. 74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) west to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn left at first traffic light – Tsali Boulevard. The Cherokee Fairgrounds are approximately ..3 miles on the left.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has a NO REFUND policy.  

Transfers

To transfer your registration to another person please follow these steps:

1. Click on ‘My Account’ when logged into EnMotive
2. Go to your “Registrations” view and find the Registration you’d like to Transfer
3. Click on the action icon in the top right corner of the registration field
4. Select ‘Transfer Registration’
5. Enter the email address of the person you want to transfer the registration to
6. That individual will receive an email notifying them of the transfer, and they’ll be instructed on how to accept it

• The transfer will only be valid for 48 hours, so be sure they accept quickly!

Transfers may be made up to the end of online registration but please allow time for the other person to accept it.

This is the only way transfers or the selling of bibs between participants will be allowed. Anyone who is discovered to have purchased or accepted another person’s bib without submitting this form will be disqualified and banned from future races.

purchased or accepted another person’s bib without submitting this form will be disqualified and banned from future races.

Unofficial results will be posted at the event site both days.  Officials results will be posted here after each day of racing.

2022 Enduro Results

2022 Cross Country Results

2021 Cross Country Results

2021 Enduro Results

2019 Enduro Results

2019 Cross Country Results

2018 Enduro Results

2018 Cross Country Results

Would you still like to be part of this great event but don’t want to ride? Volunteering is the perfect way to do that. We have spots available on Saturday and Sunday in a variety of roles. registration. Please email jere.hyat@nc-cherokee.com if you are interested in volunteering yourself or have a group that wants to join the fun.