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 Fairgrounds and begin with a climb on pavement to the trail head.
Enduro
New for 2021: The Enduro Course has been redesigned! The new layout prevents any course overlap, allowing everyone to complete stages in any order, spread out more, and maintain social distancing.
The 2021 Enduro Stages
Spearfinger / Lazy Elk Stage – Starting at the very top of the mountain, this stage uses all of Spearfinger and then continues onto Lazy Elk to finish at the lower pavilion. This is the longest stage and has the most elevation drop.
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. It is highly recommended to scout this stage prior to the event! The wooden features will be optional for all categories. The bypass routes around the wooden features will be clearly marked and will be taped in such a way that they will be slower than riding the wooden features. At each feature, you will have the option of riding the more technical but faster line or the less risky but slower line. After finishing this stage, use the Skilly Return Trail to climb back to the lower pavilion.
Enduro Course Map
Other Enduro Info:
– Always use the Uktena trail to climb back to the top of the mountain.
– 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 (although it probably makes sense to do Upper and Lower Kessel together). 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 by 2:30 PM.
– Refreshments will be provided at both the top pavilion and lower pavilions and basic mechanical assistance will be available at the lower pavilion.
Cross Country
Beginner & Junior – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9 miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 3 laps of the beginner loop (2.3 miles each lap with 312 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644901. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 8.7 miles with 1261 ft elevation gain
Sport, E-Bikes, Masters, Single Speed – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 2 laps of the Sport/Expert loop (4.75 miles each lap with 650 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644917. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 11.3 miles with 1625 ft of elevation gain
Expert – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 3 laps of the Sport/Expert loop (4.75miles each lap with 650 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644917. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 16.05 miles with 2275 ft of elevation gain
Fire Mountain Inferno Cross Country Course Map
