South of the Mountain Trail Run

Race - May 17, 2020

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Wildflowers

This 5k course is located entirely on the 260 acres of South Mountain Christian Camp in Bostic, NC. The course takes runners on one continuous loop through a mix of gravel roads, grassy shorelines, and wide dirt trails on the south side of Cherry Mountain.

A climb from the 1.3-mile mark to the 2.1-mile mark can seem punishing, but push through!

The camp is private property, but is open to the public for hiking/running/walking during daylight hours for no fee. All visitors must sign in at the camp office located at the entrance, except for race day. Race day sign in is located at the Joy Center, near the start/finish line.

The course starts on a small earthen dam outside the Joy Center (recreation building) and heads west along a gravel road. Shortly, the course turns left into the woods and weaves southward downhill, crossing the camp roads in two different spots before emerging along the lakeside. Follow the grassy shoreline of the lake eastward, across the dam, then turn sharply to the right to follow an old gravel path to the south side of the property.

Crossing another camp road, the course picks up the longest stretch of continuous trail (and the longest continuous climb) for nearly a mile. This section includes five bridges crossing over a small creek before emerging from the woods at the north end of the property.

From here, the start/finish point is visible, but you're not finished yet. Crossing the camp road again, the course weaves southward once again eventually following a tree line alongside a meadow all the way to the lake, then turns back to the north for the final trail section uphill once again to the finish.

Wild azaleas and dogwoods bloom along the trail in the spring. Beautiful fall colors can be seen in late October/early November. Some poison ivy grows near the exit of the longest trail section.
Deer, turkeys, and groundhogs all all spotted regularly.

This property has been used as a summer camp for kids every year since 1974.