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Rock Bridge State Park
16 reviews
4.13 of 5
Lots of fast, hard-packed singletrack through forest. A few creek crossings, a couple of technical problems and some challenging (but not epic) hills. The Deer Run loop is the most engaging, but the Spring Brook and Sinkhole have some great stretches as well. To conserve this busy urban park, the trails are closed when they're too wet. Check the hotline first by calling (573) 442-2249.
The Paxton Passage trailhead provides 0.5miles of great out-and-back access to the parks loops. It is found at the southwest corner of the Rockbridge Elementary School's playground (don't worry, it IS legal) at the corner of Providence (Rt. K) and Route 163 on the south side of Columbia. From I-70, take Hwy 63 a few miles south past the last Columbia exit and turn right on Route 163. Follow 163 west 3-4 miles to a four way stop by a convenience store. Turn right (north) and drive to the Devil's Icebox parking lot, pick up a trail map and continue for another mile or so to where 163 meets K, park on the west side of the school. The trailhead is behind an outdoor shelter at the back right corner of the school grounds.
Summary: rock bridge can be pretty challenging or completely tame, depending on your skill levels.
high ridge trail is pretty steep and long, but eventually levels off to some extremely easy--dare i say boring--grasslands.
spring brook and deer run take up the majority of the park and are pretty enjoyable. they cross a few small creeks--or large ditches--have some mellow hills, and a few stretches of rocky terrain. newbies may find some sections challenging or even annoying, but moderate riders will just flow through the woods without much hassle.
karst is pretty much a useless trail, but check it out if you have nothing better to do. same for grassland trail.
unfortunately, the trail section that seems best for riding--gans creek wild area--is off limits to bikes, with only hikers and horseback riders allowed. but if i was to see you out there, i'd keep quiet about it. ;)
Recommended Route: to get my heart going, i like to start off from the devil's ice box parking lot up sinkhole trail (in a counter-clockwise direction). the uphill section is short but challenging, followed by a quick run downhill through the woods and then to a rocky creek bed. after that, let your bike choose the trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: three creeks conservation area. it's similar to the terrain you'll find at r.b. but, being a conservation area, pretty much left alone. it's usually empty, though an occasional horse and rider may pass you by. watch for horse 'gifts' along the way, as well as downed trees and neglected thorn bushes and poison ivy running right next to the trail.
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Summary: This is overall a pretty good trail... great to start out on.... its well marked and generally very easy.... theres a couple harder uphill sections and some very rocky (but not steep) downhill sections... It is enjoyable and easily rideable
Recommended Route: Just wherever most of the trails are well marked and about same on diffaculty
Other recommended trails in the same area: Binder Park
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Summary: A friend of mine and I rode this trail and another trail (the Binder in Jeff City) as a weekend road trip and we'd have to agree this trail is pretty cool. It isn't technical by any means, other than a few rocky sections. And the climbs aren't severe but they will get your heart rate up a bit.
The cool thing about the trails at Rock Bridge is that they seem to be laid out in various loops, all starting from the parking lot. So you can ride a loop and have your choice of either picking up on another loop or heading back to the parking lot to refuel and refresh you Camelbak. The trails are nice and wide (far different from the ultra-tight stuff at the Binder) and this allows you to feel much more comfortable at higher speeds.
The biggest thing these trails have going for them is flow. They are super flowy and have great rhythm. There are also lots of rollers and waterbars to get a little boost from if you're needing some air time.
Recommended Route: Ride it all. But there is a really wide trail (about 10ft) that is really rocky, it starts just to the right of the Devil's Ice Box cave. If you take this up for about a quarter mile you will see a little turn-off to the right. Hop on that and you'll have a fast downhill run thru the forest that will take you right back down to the parking lot. This downhill run is about two miles in length. Repeat as needed.
The only thing keeping this trail from achieving a 5-chili rating is that I feel that after 20-some years of mountain biking being a popular sport, trails today need to address the needs of the more advanced riders and take trails to a higher level. This trail has great potential for some table-tops that advanced riders could jump, while still allowing the up-and-coming riders to simply ride over. Nothing crazy or huge, but some dinner tables spread out here and there would be nice.
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Review Date August 30, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a year
Reviewed by: Byron
, from Los Angeles, CA
Summary:
Yo, I just wanna say what's up to my main homie and local bike shop legend Nathan Means! He, who has dropped me several times on this soft and swift trail. Keep it real! Keep it single speed!
Recommended Route: Talk to the locals to find out the best routes, but starting from the school is always easy because you can park there if you are from out of town.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Like, uh Finger Lakes... let's play dodge the ATVs.
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Review Date July 17, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: smokey strodtman
, from gilliam, MO USA
Summary: there seems to be something here for almost everyone, i really like the sinkhole trail. lots of rocks in the old creek bed, a nice little switchback, some good climbs, and plenty of roots and trees. i was there on a VERY hot july day, but the trail had enough shade to keep it from being really miserable. i'm a 50 year old novice mountain biker with a pretty cautious riding style, and this trail was perfect for my skills and comfort level. there are some good downhills with roots and rocks that will test your bike handling and bravado. there weren't many other riders there that day, the heat might have been a factor. the only negative is that the trails are not real long. best plan is to hit some of the other good ones in the area, like rhett's run. columbia is a great town for bicyclists, there are several good trails either in the city limits or only a few minutes drive away. it's nice to go some place where mountain bikes are welcome. if you like good beer, end the day with a trip to the flat branch pub and restaurant. it's 1 1/2 blocks south of broadway on 5th street and has great food and microbrew beer. for LBSs, i recommend walt's bike shop and cycle Xtreme. both have treated me very well.
Recommended Route: take stadium boulevard to providence road. go south past the football stadium to hwy. 163, turn left, and go to devil's ice box parking lot. get a trail map at the shelter by the bridge. several ways you can go from here, i started with the sinkhole trail. also did the creek trail and the ones on the other side of 163 (not as much fun, basically climbing through a grassy field with one short but entertaining woods section).
Other recommended trails in the same area: rhett's run in cosmos park, grindstone park, finger lakes state park (but only when it's dry and watch out for ATVs and motorcycles!).
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