Review Date
April 10, 2008 Overall Rating
 3 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once
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Reviewed by: steelworx
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Weekend Warrior Summary:
Hoosier National Forest trail, Multi-use; many horses out the day we road 4/6/8. Lot's of rain, had to walk as much as we road because of impassible mud and chewed up by horse traffic. Would recommend as a decent trail in dry conditions steep uphills, some really nice descents.Only road a portion of it because of wet conditions.Trails not marked exceptionally well. Lot's of tree falls. Recommended Route:
None. Loops within loops yield many options!Map available on Hoosier National Forest Website and more detailed Topo map at Bedford,In. Office. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lick Creek Trail, Youngs Creek Trail
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Review Date
October 4, 2003 Overall Rating
3 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty
3 of 5
Technical Difficulty
 0 of 5
Ridden Trail:
Tested or demo'ed only
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Reviewed by: Jeff Frownfelter
,
Weekend Warrior Favorite Trail:
All loops good Summary:
Shirely Creek trail is a mixed use trail and many horse riders use this trail. With that in mind, there will be some areas of the trail chewed up by the horse hoofs. However, most all of the trails drain fairly well due to the often steep terrain. The Forest Service is slowly providing maintenance of the trails which consists of spreading small /fine gravel over many areas of the trails. This gravel will help reduce the "choppy" hoof marks left from the horses and provide longterm stability of the trail, but may seem to some like slightly taming the trail. I have ridden many trails used by horses and this does not bother me too much but has bothered others I have ridden with. Fewer serious large mud quagmires than most horse trails. Travel prepared to stay out for a while as it is a drive of some distance . Strengths:
There are plenty of climbs, some steep and a few which include switchbacks due to the steepness of the trails. There are also some good opportunities to gain some serious speed downhill but not for any great length of time due to the turns and ups and downs. There is a campground with a block !#$@House. The Forest is providing trail maintenace which is good and bad depending on perspective. The loops are nice as you can get back to your car easily/occasionally if necessary or alter the time you are out. Weaknesses:
You will encounter horses, especially September, October as this seems to be a very popular spot for horsepersons. Horses seem to spook very easily, even when you are standing off of your bike, its best to strike up a conversation with the horse riders as they approach. There will be hunters here in the fall, you are advised to wear orange. Not all trails are singletrack and some trails cross county roads. The longest loop utilizes part of a gravel road, though there is an excellent view here. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Have ridden Nebo Ridge, Gnawbone, Hickory Ridge, other National Forest areas.
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3 of 5
