Review Date
June 10, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: dekoffer ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail consists of some fine single track. If you are proficient in navigating switch-backs--and there are plenty here to navigate--then you will find this trail very enjoyable. Doing the complete loop (A,B,C,&D: about 10 miles) will smoke most riders, particularly those of use who generally ride flatter terrain (my local trail at San Angelo State Park is a 26 mile loop, and I was smoked after 9 miles at Tyler State Park). I didn't find it so rooty or sandy as to be problem. I think I had to dismount once due to a problem navigating terrain. This trail is exclusively for bikes, so no worries re horses or hikers.  This is a very nice park with a nice lake and beach for swimming & fishing. Good fun for the entire family. Decent BBQ nearby to boot.

Recommended Route:
Begin loop A, which turns into loop B, which turns into loop C, which turns into loop D. If you struggle with A or B, you may want to seriously consider looping back and avoid loop C & D.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Martin Creek Park in Longview is supposed to have about 10 miles of singletrack and is only about 30 minutes away. Never been, but perhaps worth checking out if you have the time.

Review Date
January 10, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: boisebomber ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I concur with general tone of reviews below except that they seem to describe this trail system as harder than it really is.

loop A and B are easy-intermediate. good for kids and novices. Loop C & D are intermediate with lots of aerobic challenges.

there are no technical sections, except D where 2 short climbs are aerobically challenging..ie.,, so steep as to most likely cause dismount.

so in summary Loop A & B for begginers and lazy day riding ....include Loop C & D for an energetic ride.

Great signage at TH and junctions and mileage markers on trial. get bike map at park entrance.

90% shade.

Roots, in my estimation, are not a problem...small, and spaced far enough not to impede flow.

Its a great long flowing trail...9+ mi. loop with good elevation changes to give you a great workout.(800' +/-)

advanced/expert riders would probably want to do C&D twice.

Review Date
April 12, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: EddieAAAA ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Rode trail for the first time on April 11, 2007. Perfect weather 70 degrees, nice breeze, sunny, no bugs and perfect trail conditions. It had rained 0.5 inches two days before and there was hardly any sand or loose conditions. Grip was great.

In my opinion, this is one of the best trail systems in Texas. Great fun. Difficult climbs without being impossible. The higher speed technical sections have been slightly sanitized to prevent too much bloodshed. Roots and rocks are there, but if you keep some speed, you are probably not going to hit anything (other than trees) that is going to send you over the bars.

Starting out on Loop A was a 1.5 mile not too difficult rolling and downhill section. After 1.5 miles of downhill, I knew that pay back was coming, but the route back up was not too bad.

Loop B was great, lots of short rocky and rooty downhills and back ups.

Loop C, lots of fun switchbacks with some technical sections. Up hill switchback climbs were a good test of general fitness and bike control skills. Found myseld in the granny gear a few times. Plenty of rollers as well.

Loop D similar to Loop D but without the switchbacks, but with longer climbs. Highlight is a deep, red dirt creek drop and climb where I hit 31 mph. Very deep suspension commpression at the bottom of the hill. There were also a few jumps if you know where to look.

Overall, I can see how this trail system could be a little tough in the middle of summer, but otherwise it is a great place to ride. I had a blast. Locals told me to hit it two days after a decent shower and you should rewarded with excellent conditions.

Thanks to the people who made this trail happen !!!!

Review Date
November 27, 2005

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: jetdriver ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Spent 2 days at the park camping and riding. If you have access to firewood, bring it with you. If you don't, buy it at the convenience store across from the park entrance, it's cheaper there. So coming from the DFW area, I was pretty excited about riding some bigger elevation changes. And I was not disappointed. They got 'em. And most are steep. Started with EZ, then A, B, C, and D. They gradually get more technical. I found D to be the most fun. Now when I say fun, I mean fast. Different strokes for different folks, but I like to peddle hard and go fast with lots of corners, jumps and dips. So D is where I got my fix. Especially on the power line trail. Like a roller coaster you can fly down one side and get enough speed to get up the other side to do it again. For the rest of the trail, well frankly, I was a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it's always a good day if you're outside and sweatin in the saddle. But, (I may get a ribbing for this) the terrain is very rough. I know, I know, that's what we do. We ride OFF ROAD. But like I said, I like to ride fast. Maybe I'm just a hardpack pansy, but the trails are loaded with deep sand, loose rocks and a plethera of roots. I spent a lot of time in the lowest gears slipping and spinning and a few times walking to the top of the hill only to be rewarded with a rock garden/ sand downhill so I spent most of the time on the brakes to keep from eating Pine. The roots are so abundant it's like riding down the steps of Lincoln Memorial. I have a dentist appointment on Thursday to fix the teeth that rattled out of my head. I found the best lines on the side of the trail where it was much smoother. Oh yeah, I ride a hardtail. The only way I would drive the hour and a half to ride this trail again is to take a full suspension bike. If you ride a cushy bike, this would most likely be a pleasant experience (lock-outs would be a bonus for the climbs). But for me, I left with a feeling of frustration. So if you like the challenge and punishment of steep climbs, stairstep downhills, loose sand and plenty of roots, then this is the trail for you. I'll be racing around Rowlett Creek with my hair on fire.

Recommended Route:
EZ is well... easy (and boring) A has longer straights with switchbacks, but not technical B is slightly more technical with steeper hills and more rocks C has good scenery with the steepest elevation changes D is well rounded with tech and fast creek crossings

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Spend the extra gas money and go to Womble.

Review Date
April 20, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: utlawmtb ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
2nd best trail in the state. lots of fun if you are looking for a reasonably long technical trail that isn't too far out in the middle of nowhere.