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Huntington Reservoir MTB Trail
11 reviews
3.55 of 5
Very, very fast. Not much singletrack, but there are a few good climbs. One creek crossing and two technical ravines. The rest is rolling terrain. Mostly doubletrack. Watch out in hunting seasons, the south side is partially open to hunters. Wear orange!
From Fort Wayne, take 69 South to 224 West to 5 South. Once on 5, drive across the dam and turn left at the 2nd DNR sign (main entrance). Parking area is about 1/2 mile down the road on left side.
-- OR --
Take 24 West to Huntington, when 24 forks (by the petroleum tanks) take the left fork and go until you get to Broadway. Turn left on Broadway and go to intersection of 224 & 5 (2-3 miles). Go straight (5 South) then same as directions above.
Summary: Also known as the J. Edward Roush Lake Mountain Bike Trail. Personally, I thought the trail was great. It's well-marked and a great scenic ride mostly through the woods. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I thought the north side of the trail was more technical than the south side. The creek crossings mentioned in other reviews are gone, replaced by gravel covered culvert pipes. But there are a lot of obstacles to keep the trail interesting. Stay on you toes. One negative: watch out for hunters on the south side of the lake. If hunting season is in, stay on the north trail (it's better anyway).
Recommended Route: Start just south of the dam. They have a Mountain Bike trail parking lot...you can't miss it. After parking, follow the road back out to the trailhead (which is near the entrance to the Little Turtle Campground). Follw the trail counter-clockwise around the lake and finally cross the dam before heading back to your car. It's a fun ride.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Winona Lake Trail - Warsaw
Morshes Park - Columbia City
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Summary: I am a beginner (1 year) and this trail is great for me! it is long with all kinds of places to improve virually any skill. the southern half of the trail tends to be more technical than the north side. there is a challenging stream crossing about a mile in. it takes a sharp left (between two trees that are VERY close together), then drops, the base of the drop is a teeny tiny stream with baseball-sized rocks in the water and on the banks. THEN it takes a sharp uphill. a beginner should try to master this little section (and also be prepared to drop a foot a few times). after this section (about mile 3-4) another stream crossing is really challenging for the beginner. not so much the water or large rocks, but the loose gravel on the opposite bank! i tried this section a couple times and all times i dropped a foot in this gravel. later on, just after the left turn off of CR 200, this section is really fast; and it stays fast all the way to the primitive campsites (about mile 6-7). after all that, it is pretty easy, UNTIL....the "beast"! this is a really scary sight to a beginner. a slight left turn and then the rider sees a ravine. scary at first, but the descent is actually easy (but steep). the acsent is pretty tough. it is steep, long, and little loose things all over the trail to rob traction. this is a goal of mine; to conquer this ascent this season. finally, it is a cakewalk all the way home.
Recommended Route: counter-clockwise start at the trailhead just after the entrance office
Other recommended trails in the same area: france park, town run
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Review Date October 22, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Adam
,
Cross Country Rider
Summary: Im a beginner, so this track was great for me. An advanced rider may become bored or unchallenged. the beauty of the whole place is impressive regardless of skill. the trail length is perfect. no so short that it becomes deja vu and not too long. for a beginner gaining experience, this track is ideal. i have only had one lap (should have woke up earlier, damn it!) and it was getting dark real fast....and i was bonking.....and i was getting cold.....and my contacts were messing up......and the sun was in my eyes while going through the north side of the lake. but, it felt really nice to get back to my truck.
as far as technical stuff, there is a switchback early in the trail that hangs a sharp left and then decends into a small brook and then up an ascent. kinda tough for a beginner but no problem for an expert. overall the trail is fast, but i didn't feel comfortable going to fast on an unfamiliar trail covered with leaves. next time will be fast and i will complete two laps.
from a beginner's POV using a 1 - 10scale, the speed potential is a 7.5, technically it is a 4 or 5 and length is a 9. oh yes, BRING WATER!!!! if you follow the trail, but if you run out and you are near the primitive campsight on the north end of the lake, you can fill up using the water spigots. lastly, if NEED to look over the lake from the dam. since it is at the end of the loop, it makes you feel like you are looking over the land you just conquered. kinda nice if you "live" in a cubical.
Recommended Route: counter clockwise starting at the starting point just behind the entrance booth and on the south side of the road.
Other recommended trails in the same area: france park- logansport. town run- indy
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Review Date June 20, 2001
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Steve Eckardt
, from Huntington, IN
Summary: This is being posted in reference to the previous review. I am familiar with the section of singletrack that Bob Modos is writing about. This section is not part of the main trail. Any use of areas for riding other than the main trail could jeopardize the future of this trail. If you want more technical riding, go to Franke Park or Blue River. Please avoid riding anywhere other than the main trail at Huntington Reservoir. This is DNR land and the property managers have been very cooperative with the local bikers in opening the trails for MTB use, and we work on trail maintenance with them. Riding in other than designated areas could end this positive relationship. Thanks for your cooperation.
Recommended Route: Counterclockwise, starting at the MTB trailhead.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Franke Park - Fort Wayne
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Review Date May 22, 2001
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Bob Modos
, from Ft. Wayne, IN
Summary: I'm letting everyone in on a new single track section that was just cut last year. It is on the north end of the trail, maybe 5 or 6 miles into the 12 if you go counter clockwise. Trailhead is around the point where you come out onto the road that has the church on it. The trailhead is on the left right before the gravel area for a couple cars to park. The loop is around 2 miles or so. Very tight & technical. A little rock garden to navagate, warning, not for the novice. You'll come out around the little pond that has the island. Loop needs to be ridden more, is a little overgrown, so do your part and ride it!
Recommended Route: counter clockwise
Other recommended trails in the same area: Robinson Park, Franke Park, Winona Lake, Columbia City
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3.55 of 5
4 of 5
4 of 5
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3 of 5
3 of 5
