5K:
Includes the Lake Loop (orange) and the Laurel Loop (pink)
10 mile:
The entire trail system (excluding the Kid's Loop)
Elevation Chart:
TRAIL DESCRIPTION
Situated on the edge of the 1250ft Spencer Mountain in Lowell,
NC is the terrain-fest known as Poston. The trail is arguably the
biggest cardio challenge in the Charlotte region with more elevation
change per mile than any other local trail. The topography has few flat
areas so you are always either ascending or descending! Lot of benched
hillside trail, plenty of twists, and nice super-tight singletrack!
Poston offers nice challenges for all levels of riders as we’re always
sure to think about the advanced crowd as much as we are the beginner.
Beyond the trail layout and features the woods themselves are a real
jewel. Multiple creek crossings, mature forest, lake views, sections of
thick laurel that temporarily transports you to the Appalachians, and
the significantly rare large leaf magnolia – Poston is more than just a
trail, as these extraordinary woods provide a truly unique experience
among the local trails.
TRAIL HISTORY
In the summer of 2005 PASA approached Gaston County
Parks & Recreation (GCPR) about putting a trail in George Poston
Park. In the summer/fall of 2005 PASA scouted the woods at Poston and laid out a rough design for the first
loop; PASA then started construction of that loop in the winter of 2006
and had our grand opening in the spring of 2007. That initial loop was
about 3 miles long. Since then PASA has continued to grow the trail at
one point getting upwards of 8-9 miles built before a lake construction
project took out a lot of trail and dissected what was left out of the
flood zone. After an off-season reconfiguring, tying together old
sections, and building new trail Poston is now back up to ~11 miles. PASA
continues to have a strong relationship with GCPR and Josh Taylor who
is the Trail Coordinator for Poston has become a county appointed member
of the GCPR Advisory Board and is currently also their Chairman. More
trail is added almost every weekend and by winter 2014 trail
construction should be complete topping out right around 12 - 15 miles.
*source: course description courtesy of Bike PASA
*source: course description courtesy of Bike PASA
