Review Date
January 15, 2004

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Technically Singletrack ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Serious potential for singletrack here! there's old singletrack that i explored a bit that was wicked. some decent elevation on this one singletrack trail, all marked closed to bikes. Lukcily i didn't get a ticket but i heard of people getting tickets. This place could be turned into a pay-for mt bike park like kettle if they wanted to.

Recommended Route:
singletrack offshoots but beware, i've heard of people getting tickets. I was lucky.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Deer Grove

Review Date
January 2, 2003

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Tom , from Wauconda, IL

Summary:
Nothing technical at all here! I usually ride here once a week strickly for distance. The only thing this trail system is good for is turning the pedals.

Recommended Route:
the whole thing twice...At least!

Review Date
April 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Kevin , from Chicago

Summary:
It's a gravel limestone path. No challenge and not worth the drive unless you like to walk.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Much better trails @ Kettle and Palos

Review Date
May 16, 2000

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Tim Kalina , from Chicago

Summary:
Some beginners from work asked me to take them here (I am an advanced rider and sport-class racer). This is the first time I have ridden these trails. This is ground zero for off-road biking. The crushed limestone is so hard packed that it's almost like concrete. In fact, some sections are paved! Very easy and only moderate rises (you can't call them hills). Unless you are an absolute beginner with no skills or fitness you won't have much fun here. Road bikes and cross bikes would be fine here. The scenery is very pretty thou and a plus for beginners is that the trails are one-way so they won't have to worry about bikes coming the other way. Also, the shortness of all the loops makes it easy to adjust the riding distance to match beginner's fitness levels. This would be a nice place to take the kids for a short ride, then take a hike in the nature preserve.

Recommended Route:
All the loops as they all are very short.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I usually ride Kettle Moraine or Palos so I can't recommend anything because I don't know the area around here.

Review Date
January 26, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Reviewed by: Randy Schlack , from McHenry, IL

Summary:
I've ridden this trail over 500 times, mostly at sundown, when the deer and other animals are out (geese, rabbits, turtles, skunks, coyotes, etc.). Have seen up to 17 deer on one ride. They often jump across the trail just in front of you or even run along with you. Keep your eyes out for the deer, especially at dusk and while night riding (use good lights). The trail is usually open until an hour after sundown. Riding this trail "quickly" gives a terrific workout due to the constant curves and hills, but be careful of the hikers (another reason to ride later besides the beautiful sunsets and the animals). Trail periodically gets pretty washed out due to rains (e.g., late '99), so be very careful on the soft and rutty curves if you're going fast. The trail is maintained only once or twice a year. While on the "dam" loop (along the Fox River), take the short trail to the dam to add a bit to your ride (and maybe visit the refreshment stand or the WC). This is a great ride and one that will never bore you as long as you keep up your pace.

Recommended Route:
All 3 loops = 10.25 miles and takes about 42 minutes riding briskly (14mph average).

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Though the new Fox River trail between McHenry and Crystal Lake is all paved and mostly straight, the first mile out of Crystal Lake is wildly hilly and has some wicked curves. Another good "workout" ride!