Powder Mary’s Loop 17.2 miles, 2,240’ elevation gain
- start/end at Lions Field, Elizabethton, TN
https://www.strava.com/routes/3684218
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/1278860657/
This route starts with a short ride on the unpaved but road bike-friendly Tweetsie Trail. Next up is a turn onto Mary Patton Highway with rolling hills and beautiful views of the Carter County mountains. The highway is named after “Powder Mary” of Revolutionary War fame, who manufactured the gunpowder for the Overmountain Men’s use at the Battle of King’s Mountain. Local cyclists love the clean pavement and wide shoulders on this new road (opened Fall 2015). The route meanders around West Carter County with moderate climbs and fast descents. Cyclists will enjoy quiet, well-paved country roads that pass through farms and woods. With a long Cat 3 climb on Mary Patton and a Cat 5 climb later on, there is nothing flat about this ride!. Careful on busy Milligan Highway, but it’s only 100 yards to Sparks Road and a 40-yard, very steep climb back to the Tweetsie Trail for the last mile. The ride is just as enjoyable in the opposite direction.
Cue Sheet: Powder Mary’s Loop
Miles Action and Landmark/Road
0.0 Start at Elizabethton Lions Club Park
0.0 left onto Tweetsie Trail
0.6 right onto Mary Patton Hwy (new Gap Creek Rd)
6.1 right on Dry Creek Road
8.7 at Laurels Recreation Area continue straight, Dry Creek Rd. becomes Laurels Rd.
10.1 right onto Toll Branch Rd.
10.9 right on Powder Branch Rd.
16.4 left on Milligan Hwy (approx. 100 yd.)
16.4 right onto Sparks Rd. (very steep climb of approx. 40 yd. to Tweetsie Trail)
16.5 right on Tweetsie Trail
17.2 left and end at Lions Field