The Holly Springs Trail, in Pisgah National Forest’s Grandfather Ranger District, reopened Saturday, May 14 to hikers and mountain bikers.
Known locally as the "Sinkhole" trail, it's located in the Upper Creek area of Burke County. The trail (TR #273) has been closed since February 2022 due to the closure of an abandoned mine shaft along the trail as well as trail maintenance.
The popular mountain biking trail descends a ridge and passes a 30-foot-deep, 6-foot-wide abandoned mine shaft -- the reason behind its moniker, "sinkhole."
After several reported incidents over the last decade involving people and animals falling into the vertical hole, the U.S. Forest Service determined the best and safest course of action was to permanently cover the mine shaft. A 12-foot by 10-foot flat aluminum grate was placed over the sinkhole to cover it, to be able to still maintain the character of the remainder of the Holly Springs Trail without having to relocate or close the trail.
Black Diamond Trail Designs professional trail builders worked with Grandfather District and volunteers of the Northwest NC Mountain Bike Alliance to secure the sinkhole and maintain one mile of trail north of the sinkhole -- to Little Chestnut Road.
“Because of the remote location of the sinkhole and the importance of the trail to the local mountain bike community, we knew we would need to work with professional trail builders to maintain the backcountry character of the trail while safely installing the cover,” said Lisa Jennings, recreation manager for the Grandfather District. “Black Diamond Trail Designs did a great job keeping what folks love about the trail. The result is a trail that is safer and more sustainable but still provides a great technical riding experience.”
The sinkhole's covering is safe to walk or ride over. Bike-optimized trail maintenance focused on hardening the trail with rockwork, installing drainage in steep sections, and generally minimizing impacts to the rooted, backcountry character of the trail.
The Holly Springs “Sinkhole” Trail is rated as a most-difficult trail open to mountain biking and hiking only.
For more information about mountain biking opportunities on the Grandfather Ranger District, contact the district office at 828-652-2144.