Reviewed by: steve ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
thers is no doubt in my mind that this trail was secretly built by the local doctors, hospitals, and bike shops. it is just too good for thier business. i ride the trail weekly because it is close to work. but 75% of the time i leave with damage to my bike and/or body. i have fixed countless flats, and even recieved stitches in my knee due to this course. why do i go back? i have no idea. either i will kill it or it will kill me!
BRING BUG STUFF! or be eaten alive the second you stop.
the back half of the course is short (2.5 miles that you can ride in 20 minutes easy) but is very technical and TIGHT with some good climbs. NO ROOM FOR ERROR HERE! if you dont know what you are doing you WILL bite it!
and i have NEVER seen such a concetration of thorn and thistle bushes on one trail. wear long sleeve if you dont like your forearms getting all cut up! front part of the trail (by the tennis courts) is more open, faster, and easier. some cool little wooden bridges and such. nice trail if you want to ride alone and dont have a whole afternoon.

Recommended Route:
harder part of trail is at the back of Morsches Park just North of the us30 overpass. easier trail at the front of the park near the tennis courts. you may want to ask a local for directions to the local hospital before you get started...just to be safe.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
huntington (long), boys club (the best), franke park (the worst).

Reviewed by: TAR ,  Weekend Warrior , from Columbia City, IN

Summary:
Even though I have lived in Columbia City for years, I never knew
this incredible singletrack existed until this past week! It's truly a
blast -- I can't believe that I live in as bike-unfriendly a state as
Indiana and yet I have a primo MTB trail system right here in my own small
town.

The trails are obviously well maintained and were well designed, clearly by
someone who knows what they are doing. The trails I have tried (there are
many options) are technical enough to be fun, but not so technical that
they're impossible. I'm probably on the border of beginner/intermediate in
skill level, and I was able to thoroughly enjoy this trail system. I did
have to hike a bike and daub a few times, but a more experienced rider
probably would rarely have to leave the saddle. There are dips, roots,
switchbacks galore, raspberry bushes, and narrow passes between trees that
give about an inch clearance on either side of your handlebars. You can
spend the entire time in the woods, so even on hot days it's comfortable.
It was 90 degrees when I rode it today and had no problems (drank lots of
water, though, of course).
The trails that remain down in the flat low parts of the woods are great for
speed, despite their narrowness and occasional small gully crossings. Climb
the ridge for more technical riding.
There are a few blazes to mark the trail, but the trails are so well-worn
they're not really necessary. I have noticed one weatherbeaten sign on one
tree warning that a particular trail was technical, but otherwise there are
no signs (that I've discovered thus far).
Because the path is narrow, be watchful for other traffic, though I have yet
to meet anyone on this gem of a trail -- one of northeast Indiana's best
kept secrets.
Many many thanks to the people who built, maintain, and allow this trail
system.
My one request would be to somehow make maps available. One can keep his
bearings in some areas by listening for the traffic on US 30, or by peering
through the trees in the direction of the main part of the park, but most of
the ridge trail is in woods dense enough that it's difficult to get your
bearings. However, that's no reason not to ride here -- just plan on
getting a little lost. And have a blast!

Recommended Route:
Recommended route: At the start of the wood chip trail just on the north side of US 30, ride up the hill and be sure to take a few moments to hit the figure-eight singletrack that loops through the small patch of woods. Then return to the wood chip trail and proceed east down the hill, through the field, and back in to the woods. At the base of a steep climb, turn left...and enjoy. A couple hundred feet in is a cross trail that goes up a steep hill to the right (it's about a 40 foot climb, according to the topo). Take this, and follow the singletrack as it loops, curves, dives, rises, and switchbacks madly along a ridge before descending back down towards the Blue River, eventually emptying out in the far north tip of the park. When the singletrack empties into a grassy roadbed, turn left to return to the main part of the park.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Boys Club, Warsaw, IN

Reviewed by: Dan Stauffer , from Columbia City, IN

Summary:
This trail has been in the works for about a year and a half at this point. It is evolving constantly and we hope getting better. The city is constructing a walking trail that intersects the bike route several times at the start. Also at the beginning there is a sloppy mud crossing that you may want to Hike a Bike around. This crossing will have a bridge constructed soon.
The trail will give you a great cardio workout especially the first 10 minutes. It is not a trail that you are going to carry alot of speed through as it is very tight. This time of year it is pretty greasey on the top secton where you would expect it to be dry. Later this summer there should be another loop open near the entrance of the park near the tennis courts. The Park Board has allowed us to make the trail the way we wanted and we are greatful for the opportunity. It is just going to get better.
Happy trails
Dan

Recommended Route:
We mainly just have one route at this time with one technical section to take or bypass.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Winona Lake,(Boys Club) Warsaw IN