Review Date
July 3, 2007

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: HUSKERS ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The trails are at area 1 camp site on the south side of the lake. The trails have a little bit of everything. It’s got some good hills to climb and go down. The trails through the trees are nice with lots of sharp turns. For Nebraska it’s not bad riding. So if you’re looking at getting away for some riding and maybe some fishing go to area 1. This is also the spot where they race for the state games this year.

Recommended Route:
Take 79 north from Lincoln to Raymond Rd and go West. You will come up to a T section were you can go North or West. Go west for about half a mile or so and it will be on your North side. Just look for Area 1.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Platte River State Park
Wilderness Park (Lincoln)

Review Date
May 27, 2007

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: jacob_hi ,  Racer

Summary:
it's not a very difficult or technical trail, but it's a nice workout. it starts off as a mowed prairie, but then it goes into the woods and has some moderate technicals. the speed you get on the first hill going clockwise is a lot of fun, plus it's a lot easier to ride than going counter-clockwise.

if you decide to go counter-clockwise, the singletrack turns into a pretty deep rut, so it can get kind of technical ... you have to make sure you keep your pedals centered or else they'll eat the sides of the rut and you'll be off the bike (probably not in a "good" way. LOL!).

CAUTION: A MILE INTO THE COUNTER-CLOCKWISE TRAIL ROUTE @ AREA 7, THE TRAIL IS PRETTY TRASHED UP WITH FALLEN FOLIAGE -- IT LOOKS AS THOUGH A TORNADO RIPPED DOWN SMALL TREES AND BUSHES. THE FOLIAGE IS THICK AROUND THE COVERAGE OF THE TRAIL, SO YOU CANNOT "HIKE-A-BIKE" AROUND IT. MISQUITOS ARE BAD TOO, TAKE PLENTY OF BUG SPRAY!!!

today was the first time checking out the trails there. i went to AREA 7. the trails were a bit damp, and in some areas the trails were the dreaded Nebraska "peanut butter" -- which coats the tires aggressively.

if conditions are dry, im sure the trails are a lot more fun to ride. im going to go back in a week or so after the weather clears up a bit and ride again and write another review.

Recommended Route:
once you're in the Malcolm, NE area there are a lot of signs that point to Branched Oak State Recreational Area -- just follow those signs. when you get to Branched Oak, follow the signs that point to AREA 7. these are the only decent mountain biking trails that i know of at Branched Oak.

PARK @ AREA 7: follow the brown signs to AREA 7, you'll eventually come to some really small YELLOW signs that say "caution: bike crossing" ... go past them, you'll come to a road that shoots off to the left, turn there and follow it to the parking area.

$4 for a single day park entry permit.
$20 for a year (good at Platte River State Park, and all throughout Nebraska.)

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Platte River State Park, Wilderness Park

Review Date
April 15, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Pistol2Ne ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I was pleasently suprised at how the trail was not a 4 foot wide mowed path way, as expected. This trail is a good trail because if you live close to lincoln it is only about 15 mins away from you. Strong points of the trail were the ups and downs and many diverse areas, from medows to woodlands to nebraska prarie. Weekness were the corners on the downhills, almost every turn had sand or large rocks on the turns which made it difficult to cut a path when there are 7 to 10 inch rocks in the way. Overall if your looking for a nice midday ride i would suggest it to anyone.

Recommended Route:
Follow the directions as told in the main review. Come up to the lake take a left, go past the camp site right away. Continue on the highway, a little ways after the first left possible there will be a rock parking lot skip this one and go the next one on your right. Park and follow the 4 foot wide grass area about 30-40 yards down and hope on the trail to the right or left.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Lewis and clark, Platte river state park

Review Date
April 5, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: frankmcdaniel ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Easy to follow trail with some up and down hills. First and last part of the trail are carved out of a field that actually sucks. It's bumpy, flat, and nothing much to see. The middle section winds through hills and trees and is quite nice

Recommended Route:
One one route to follow

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Swanson Park

Review Date
December 31, 2004

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 1 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: axnjxn ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Rode area 7, this trail was garbage. The path was completely dry yet dirt was so soft it was an effort to ride downhill. Nothing technical or fun here at all. To simulate an experience at Branched Oak lower the air pressure in your tires to about 18 psi and through a golf course.

Recommended Route:
Go to Platte River State Park