Review Date
December 29, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: DirtZilla ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Howdy, I just "mapped" this trail. The point I marked is not the Ranger Station, but the picnic area near the bridge. That's where I always park.
The Ranger Station parking area is up at the north end. The picnic area is down the road from the horse stables.

Good outback singletrack, PUT some tires on this mutha!

Recommended Route:
If you get worn out or broken in the southeastern part of the trail, find a horse trail and follow it back up to the horse stables and paved road.

Sometimes you'll find ATB tracks out there. Follow them.

Review Date
November 21, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: lslug ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
As of 2 weeks ago all but a couple of trees were cleared from the trail so if we don't have heavy wind conditions for a while trail should stay fairly free of deadfall until th spring storms hit. Tightest singletrack in middle Tennessee. Excellent winter riding, rarely gets muddy, does get somewhat overgrown in the summer due to lack of riders.

Recommended Route:
Either direction is fun. To make a mini epic ride combine this trail with the Chinqapin Ridge Trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Piney Falls, Chinqapin Ridge

Review Date
June 20, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: CU-Murph ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Awesome trail. Its 95% great flowing single track, mixed in with some fun weavy stuff. Almost all of it is in the trees. All the short uphills are rewarded with fast downhills. Suspension bridge was fun to ride, but be carefull of getting your handle bars caught on the sides. Trail was dry, and totaly cleared of any deadfall.

Only down side for summer riding: TICKS! Smear on the deet and check yourself throughout the ride. Even with the ticks, this is a must do trail!

Don't forget to stop by the nature center in the park and sign the permit. The trail (and trail head) is shared with backpackers. The park wants to know who is on the trail, so they don't send out a search and rescue team! There is no day-use fee!

Recommended Route:
Start at the park's North enterance/overnight trip trail head Ride down to the trail and go clockwise on the loop. Its marked with white blazes and is sometimes call the "Overnight Trail" on trail directional signs.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
In the park there are two other trails: Chinquapin Ridge Trail AND Piney Creek Trail. Get map at the office or at the TN State Parks website.

Franklin State Forest, if it is raining.

Review Date
February 7, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: bknox88 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a great trail that needs some more traffic to stay cleared. It drains very quickly during the winter months where others trails get muddy due to usage. The trail is an intermediate style trail with rocks, roots, climbs, creek crossing, bridges, open forest to closed canopy evergreens. It is a great fall ride with the leaves down.

Recommended Route:
Recommend clockwise travel on the loop.

Review Date
June 8, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: wtnmtb ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This is a GREAT cross-country trail! Narrow single-track with varied terrain. It is enjoyable for a wide range of skill levels (not beginner, though). It has fun hills, but the climbs and descents are challenging but not overwhelming. The scenery is beautiful - lots of hardwood forest, cedar forest, ferns, etc.

A couple of PROBLEMS, though: 1. Currently there are several (8+) trees across the trail and MAJOR bushwacking is required at a few. It looks like someone does a good job of keeping up with the trail though. Maybe they will be gone soon? 2. The trail is a little overgrown - get out there and ride it!! 3. Poison ivy and ticks are veracious! 4. PI and ticks (both deserve a second mention)!!

Overall, though, it was an awesome ride. I can't believe this trail is ridden more frequently. It's definately worth the drive from Nashville (and even Memphis) and makes a great stop passing through on I-40. Manicured trails are nice and all, but they do leave something out...

I can't wait

Recommended Route:
The Loop. Either way it should be fun.