Review Date
July 14, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: ionsmuse ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This trail goes around the southern part of Rock Creek Lake, and can be ridden in either direction. Their are a couple options to choose, but only one will put you in a different spot at the end (a fork on the west side climbs up out of the lake basin to a gravel road. The trail is mowed as double track, and only has a couple vaguely narrow sections. My favorite spot is the bit around the long western arm of the lake, between the beach and the dam, lots of climbing (probably harder counter clockwise). Watch out for horses around the corners, and don't ride if its really muddy; clay will bog you down in a serious way. Also, there is a stretch where it seems as if you're riding through peoples yards, they mow down to the lake but do not own the first ~40 feet of lake side, so if they give ya grief ignore em.

Recommended Route:
1/2 way down the road to the beach area on the west side, turn right off the road at the top of a hill and go past a gate. Keep riding straight or left. Ride over Rock creek and continue on to the end. Ride around the paved road and repeat.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve. The many "B" gravel roads in the area, Iowa gravel grinding is great training!

Review Date
October 24, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: gwinklecentral ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a fun trail, it goes all the way around the lake. Some great scenery, some single track but mostly fireroads. This trail is extremly fun in the rain, but be prepared to get caked in mud...and horse poop. I clock out at around 12 miles each time I ride here. Good spot to go. Not to bad for south central Iowa.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
North Overlook, PEllA---Night rides Wed. night at 8

Review Date
October 21, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Reviewed by: jumbo gumbo , from grinnell

Summary:
depending on how you ride it, there are several options from easy (8.5 miles) to rather strenuous. horses made the trail bumpy at quite a few places. generally speaking it's a fun trail--just look out for horse poops!

Recommended Route:
if you want to get some more climbing, go to the west end and start there. after you passed the camp grounds, take a right turn at the first fork after the first bridge (it's not very obvious, but look for it. if you've ridden the other direction, you'll know). you get a rather steep climbing section with some water bars. keep going straight. after you passed the second bridge, turn right at the first opportunity. you'll be going parallel to the main trail (which is rather lame). there's some extra climbing over there as a bonus, there's little horse sh!t on this route.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
sugar bottom, brickyard.

Review Date
March 18, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: IF rider , from Grinnell,IA

Summary:
Well since I live so close I really like to ride it. I use it as a training course more than any thing. The hills can really get a person in shape.I would not give the trail a high rating for technical terrain, but for Iowa it's not to bad. Lots of Wildlife!

Recommended Route:
Well I've rode this trail both ways, I would have to reccomend going around clock wise. You can get on the trail in several areas,around the camp grounds is best,I think.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
DES MOINES,AMES,and NORTH LIBERTY!

Review Date
January 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: weather expert , from grinnell

Summary:
a lot of rapid rises and falls. i agree with the previous reviewer on keeping a good amount of speed.
at some point teh trail is very close to the bank of the lake--makes you wonder what'll happen if your tire lost grip when cornering :).

Recommended Route:
from east go around the lake.