Riders will begin with an escort up Hwy 64 to the Brush Creek Trail, then will ride two laps of the most flowy section of Brush Creek before making the climb up to Boyd Gap. From Boyd Gap, riders will descend and take Old Copper Road back to the Ocoee Whitewater Center and then climb the Bear Paw Trail to Chestnut Mountain Trail. Riders will traverse the Chestnut Mountain Trail and then descend Thunder Rock Trail.

At this point, 20 mile riders will cross the river and head back to the Whitewater Center parking lot to finish.

35 mile riders will climb FS 45 to Poplar Hollow Trail, then continue to climb Poplar Hollow to the top of the mountain. Riders will then enter Quartz Trail clockwise, followed by 1330 Bypass, and then Riverview Loop counter-clockwise. Once done with River Loop, riders will descend back to Chestnut Mountain and again traverse to Thunder Rock. One more quick descent down Thunder Rock and then 35 mile riders will cross the river and head back to the Whitewater Center parking lot to finish.

Fully Stocked Aid Stations will be located at Mile 16 and Mile 24 of the 35 mile course.

Tentative 2026 Black Bear Garmin Connect

Tentative 2026 Black Bear GPX File