Review Date
October 22, 2012

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: inspector ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
high! i went to college at SIU-E in the early 1970's. if this trail system had been in place then, i would have become an off trail rider back then. remember, this is a college campus trail. it is single track with roots, sharp turns, some elevation gains, in the forest, creeks......10 miles of trails. i would put this trail system up to against any i've ever ridden. it is not a black diamond system, but certainly a blue trail system. with the colors changing this past weekend, it was magical.....the Gateway people should be proud of what they have created here. kudos!

Recommended Route:
it is 10 miles of single track. there are many points of entry to choose from. the trails are marked and signed.

Review Date
June 19, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: jeriCurl ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Tight and twisty, all dirt singletrack. 2 separate loops built partially on the former site of an outdoor amphitheater from the 1970’s. Moderate elevation gains, and tight forest make for good twisty rides. Easily accessible from the numerous bike paths that intertwine the metro-east, so driving to this trail is not required. Not recommended immediately following rain due to the dirt surface, and low elevation of these trails. These trails are great fun for everyone from the beginner to the advanced rider.

For more information and a detailed map, go to:

http://www.gorctrails.com/trails/msiue.asp

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lots of trails across the river in Missouri.
Technical: Chubb, Klondike, Greensfelder
Fast & Fun: Lost Valley, Castlewood, Matson, Quail Ridge
Epic: Berryman, Council Bluff

Review Date
November 7, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: royalwulff ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Not a very long or technical trail. It is a fun hilly trail that is close to town. The trail would be great for beginners.

Recommended Route:
Either direction on the upper loop.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Chub

Review Date
October 27, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Extremeness ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This trail is a very fun up and down trail with a lot of switch backs. It is a single track trail that is very enclose by the forest and is pretty much all dirt and gets sloppy to ride after a hard rain. Guys from GORC have done a great job with this trail and are supposely adding on more trails to it.

Recommended Route:
I would start at the upper end by the roped in parking lot and then once you get to the middle at the lower end where the loop starts, I prefer going counter clockwise and then back up to the parking lot.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Chubb, Castlewood, and Klondike Park: all located in StL.

Review Date
June 1, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Usually_Bleeding ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Very fun trail for all skill levels. Hard to find how the two loops connect, so you may need to follow someone.

Recommended Route:
Start on the upper loop just beyond the airfield then take the lower loop clockwise to make a figure eight.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cedar Bluff Loop at Castlewood (frequently incorrectly called 'Blueribbon'), Lost Valley, Matson Hill, Klondike Park, Chubb