Review Date
April 12, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Chris Pringle ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
The Lynx Lake Big Loop is the way to go! As others have mentioned, this is an awesome ride! I’d say it borders being an epic ride. I wanted to give those trying this loop for the first time, much better directions on how to do it.

Warning: Make sure you and your group are in excellent cardio shape to do this loop. Technical level: Advanced beginner and up! You’ll start at 5,500 ft. elevation and climb close to 7,000 ft. Between all the ups and downs, cumulative climbing is approx. 3,000 ft. Total distance: 18 miles. Time to complete: 4-5 hours which includes several breaks. Pack lunch and plenty of water in the summer months.

If you’re not in good cardio shape or have time constraints, follow “Mike The Sun Devil’s” directions in the posting below to do Trail 305 only.

Recommended Route:
The Big Loop comprises 5 different trails and a short paved road linked to each other. Here is how it goes: Start with Trail 62 - followed by trail 9854 – On to Trail 299 - paved road (Spruce Mtn Rd) – Trail 297 – Finishing with Trail 305.

• Park at the parking lot about half mile from Costco on Walker Rd. As you enter the parking lot ($2 fee), you’ll see the trailhead to the 305 immediately to your left. Veer right and continue to the parking lot on the right-hand side. There’s an outhouse (restroom) at the end of that parking lot. Right behind it is where you’ll find the 62 trailhead.
• Once on the 62 you’ll find a few unmarked trails. Make sure you follow the trail into the mountains (not the trails to the “high-class” community on the right.) In about 1.5 mile, you’ll pass a gate. As you get to a fork, continue on the right up into the mountains. The trail will start climbing a series of hills. You’ll find a few short descents but it’s mostly climbing. Some short areas are hike-a-bike, but overall it’s rideable.
• After approx. 5 miles of riding you’ll get to a fire road. It’s marked as trail “9854”. Turn right and continue for about 1 mile or less to the intersection of 299.
• Turn left at 299, you’ll get to a hill with power lines. 299 is on your right. You’ll still have to climb that same hill! Ride for another mile or so. Trail 299 will drop you into what seems like a paved road (it’s more like a nicely compact dirt road.) This is Spruce Mtn. Rd. Turn left and you’ll do more climbing on Spruce Mtn. Rd. About 1.5 miles later you’ll find the trailhead to 297 (Smith Ravine Trail) to your left. It’s well marked!
• Trail 297 is mostly downhill peppered with a few climbs. It’s approx. 3 or 4 miles to the intersection with Walker Rd. This trail is a blast!
• At the bottom you’ll get to a gate. Cross Walker Rd to the dirt road right ahead. You’ll climb just a little when you’ll see the 305 trailhead to your left. You’ll pass a series of paved roads and campgrounds. However, it’s very well marked back to the parking lot. Enjoy!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Granite Basin Trails

Review Date
May 15, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: tls36 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Trail has great singletrack thru Ponderosa Pine. Nice in that there is a lot of climbing(1000 ft. of vertical change) so the shade of the Pines will help cool you! Switchy, some hairpins come up quickly so have a finger near the binders. If it was not for the climbing and some tight turns this trail would also be great for beginners and probably still is if a more experienced rider is leading the way. Surprisingly not a real busy trail for the beauty of it. The climb is challenging but the almost non-stop rollers make it fun and I loved the turns.

Recommended Route:
Park at Costco, ride down Walker Rd. to first trailhead on R (62). 305 begins on the left side as you enter parking area. Trail will cross Walker Rd, Lynx Lake parking and a few other Forest roads. It comes to a green metal gate then becomes a steep climb. I believe the trail technically ends there so it is out and back.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Check out Thumb Butte on parking lot side, nice loop but tight loose switchbacks.

Review Date
March 19, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Jm. ,  Downhiller

Summary:
This is not a DH trail nor is it a good idea to shuttle it. It climbs ~1000 feet over a pretty great distance, it is a gradual climb up, and going in the "down" position the trail is so shallow and there are so many intermediate climbs that there is absolutely no point to shuttle this....just to clear up a few of the posts above :)

This is a good trail, very well maintained, very well built, they did choose to route it around all of the rocks unfortunatly, but it is a good ride nonetheless.

If you like this trail, you'll love trail 297 which is directly across the road from this one at the top of the trail. My suggestion is to ride up trail 62 from Costco, then take 299 to Spruce Mtn road, then up to trail 297, down to 305 and back. This ride is a blast despite the climb up on 62.

The roller-coaster ride down 297 is followed by 305 all the way back, it is worth it just for this.

This trail gets 3 chilies because it's a solid trail. No technical, relatively easy effort, but it is a fun trail.

Recommended Route:
Climb up Ranch trail 62, turn right at the metal gate at the top, turn left at the 299 turnoff, on spruce mountain road turn left and head up to trail 297 on the left(1 mile or so), (and again, 297 is seldom used, but a BLAST to ride) and then hook up with 305 at the bottom.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Trail 297
Sevenmile-gulch for the speed-deamon in you
Countless others.

Review Date
July 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Review Date
July 7, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

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