Review Date
July 15, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 4 votes

Reviewed by: leadphinger ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Muskateen is easily on par with better known trails in Nebraska such as Swanson, Tranquility, and Jewell. The trail consists of a fun 5.9 mile loop overlooking one of the finest man-made lakes the state has to offer. Good for beginners and experts alike, it has a reasonably difficult tech section and offers a few decent climbs to get the blood flowing. The mix of terrain and well thought out route makes for a good time in almost any weather. Even wet conditions do little to dampen trail conditions, a unique characteristic for a part of the country known for peanut butter mud. The trail is fast but don't get too carried away. Blind corners and switch backs have been diabolically placed at the bottom of nearly every hill. If you haven't ridden Muskateen and happen to find yourself in northeast Nebraska for any reason whatsoever, give it a shot. You will be very glad you did!

Recommended Route:
Finding the starting point can be a little awkward. I generally start at the upper parking lot and head into the trees, the trail intersects here and can take you into any section you feel inclined to tackle first. The loop generally runs counter-clockwise from the western most edge of the trees running down the backside of the park. It then runs south crossing a frisbee golf course and back into a grove of pine trees. From here you will duck and dodge your way through switch backs and over 4 or 5 log crossings. The loop then drops into a fast up down section and spills onto a vast prairie over looking the lake. From here you'll eventually make your way back to the start then be dumped into an extremely fast downhill leading to the technical section. Here you will find all manner of jumps, logs, and even a rock strewn creek crossing. More climbing and prairie awaits after the technical stuff but the ride is basically an easy single track mix from here on.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
The next closest single track is almost 70 miles away at Ponca State Park. That's about all there is for single track in the area.

Review Date
May 27, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: valiant1974 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is a fun trail with a good mix of terrain. The majority of the trail is in the trees with some climbs, switchbacks and fast descents. There is a short, fairly technical portion with tight switchbacks, a creek crossing and numerous log crossings. This trail will give you a workout.

Recommended Route:
Counter-clockwise starting at the parking area overlooking the lake.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Swanson Park

Review Date
April 24, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: RogerBB ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a challenging trail, expanded to be approx 5 miles. Lots, and lots of hills, I was breathing pretty heavy most of the time. Not real technical, except in a few spots. Most of it is in the trees, and few areas in prairie. Near a small lake where you can go camping and fishing. Trail is taken care of very well by the local cycling group.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Ponca State Park, Cowboy Trail