WEST TEXAS SINGLETRACK

If anyone would like to write better descriptions for their home trail, or add a new trail, send description to:
jeff@wtcycling.com


BUCK CREEK TRAIL

LOCATION: Abilene Tx--Just North of Interstate 20 on East Lake Road (FM 2833). Located between the Warren Dodson Police training complex and the City of Abilene Enviromental laboratory. There is a locked gate with a sign that reads "ABC". Access is limited to Abilene Bicycle Club members and thier guests. Contact Biketown on South First (325 677-bike) for more info.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  10 miles. Start and finish just beyond the gate at the parking area. The entire trail is single track.. Mostly hard packed earth, but there are many sections with rocks to work through. Many small climbs and descents, some areas are totally flat. We have built several small bridges and obstacles to enhance your ride. The trail is marked well with directional arrows and you may use provided by-passes to change up your route. Like most West Texas trails watch out for cactus and mesquite thorns off the path. No water available at trail.

BUFFALO SPRINGS LAKE SOUTH RIM TRAIL

LOCATION:Approximately 5 miles east of Lubbock.  From east Loop 289 take 50th street (FM835) east to a 4-way stop. Turn right (south)approx. 1 mile to lake entrance.  Follow main lake road down into canyon. Go past the marina and main loading ramp, where you come to a Y in the road. Go right over a bridge to another Y. Take the left, where you'll see restrooms on the left with parking, some shade and picnic tables.  This overlooks the east swimming beach, a good place to cool off after a ride.  From there, continue east on the main lake road to the top of  the canyon.  A challenging paved climb by bike for a good warm-up (also part of the race loop in 2000)  At the top, look for a cattle-guard/gate on the right.  The gate will remain locked to prevent unauthorized motor vehichles from entering.  Bikes can easily be lifted over gate.
Lake entrance fee:  $2.00 adults.  $1.00 kids.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:   Lift bike over gate and follow the fire-road WSW.  Watch for single-track on the right approximately 150 yards from the cattle gaurd.   This will come out on the fire road after about 1 1/2 miles.  Near the west boundary fence, the fire-road turns north, then east and turns back into singletrack.  The singletrack trail runs just below the rim of the canyon with a spectacular view of the lake. It has several climbs and descents through feeder gullies.   A little rocky and loose in a few sections but overall a great race course.  A fun, six mile loop.

COPPER BREAKS STATE PARK

LOCATION: 12 miles south of Quanah or 11 miles north of Crowell on State Highway 6 to park entrance.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  Course: Big Loop Trail (9.5 miles) in Copper Breaks State Park. Start and Finish by the Kiowa camping area (first left after entering the park). Starts on road for ½ mile with a steep, paved climb and then onto trail. Course has wide variety of terrain to suit all types of riders: technical expert singletrack to flat fire roads and everything in between. Throw in a couple portages, a couple of scary descents, a water crossing, some tough climbs, and a sprint on the road to the finish, and you have it!! This is a West Texas Course, so be prepared. There could be cactus, mesquite thorns, and grass burrs in some areas, so slime and/or tire liners are recommended. It can be HOT in summer, so carry plenty of fluids.
 
 

  MLK RACECOURSE

LOCATION:  From I-27, take 19th street east approx. 2 miles to Martin Luther King Boulevarde.  Turn south approx. 1/2 mile to Canyon Lakes Drive.  Turn East approx. 3/4 mile.  Watch for boat loading ramp/parking lot on right (south of road on north shore of lake).
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  From parking lot,  go North across Canyon Lakes Drive.  Take a left at 1st junction to go into the west loop.  When you reach 2nd junction, a left will take you to approx. 2 3/4 miles of singletrack with several challenging climbs. Much of this was cut in June, 2001. There's one technical section that begins a steep, loose climb between two trees.  At the top of the climb, there's a  9 inch ledge.  If you clean the ledge, you're on a table rock with just enough room to make a dropping left turn off the table rock onto a rocky, winding downhill. The trail then winds west through the trees to MLK, then loops north, then east.  It drops off the canyon edge and climbs back up several times before running alongside east 19th.  It turns south on an old ranch road for about 1/4 mile, then ties back into the original loop due north of the trailhead. This will take you into the main loop in the right direction. There are several Y's throughout the loop, some of which are marked with a sign with a green arrow pointing to the easiest.  These green sections tie back in with the harder trail, in most cases within a short distance. When you see the spillway, the kids race takes a right and finishes the front loop.
     At this point, the trail has been re-routed to avoid crossing the sewer pipe. You bear left at the sewer pipe and onto Stink Hill. (there's a sewer vent at the top, which hasn't been as noticable lately?) At the top, continue north into a new section to a fence line. The trail makes a 180 degree turn onto a fire road headed south approximately 1/4 mile. Watch for singletrack to the left (east) and follow it until it passes an old house with no roof. Continue until it runs into a fire road. The singletrack straight ahead (south) is intermediate/expert & has already acquired several nicknames. Cactus Alley is what most call it. The trail is lined with prickly pear cactus. Not recomended for the faint hearted, who can take the fire road right (west). Cactus Alley finishes at a north/south fire road. Look for singletrack on the other side of the fire road. It's a new section called the Drop Bridge Trail, cut in 2002. It's technical, with many climbing turns and a platform with a 10" drop onto a downhill wood-armored section. After some more challenging climbing turns, the trail comes out on an abandoned railbed. Go north about 100 yards and turn right to the fire road, then left headed north.  About 1/4 mile, turn left (west) across the railbed and back onto the singletrack headed south.  After a screaming descent on a rocky fire road, cross the sewer pipe on the left side of tree where sewer pipe is covered by dirt. Bend slightly left into the first section of Durwood Forest, then along the south side of the creek to Alligator Crossing Bridge. Turn left onto the bridge and left again exiting the bridge into Durwood Forest. This section ends up on the concrete apron east of the spillway. Follow the apron north to dirt and follow the curb line back into the trail. After a short, rocky climb, the trail has be re-routed to add some turns and a fun, drop in and coast out gulley. There are several options in this last section of trail which tie back into each other quickly. About a mile from the starting trailhead there's a new section that's the result of the trail clinic held in Lubbock in June, 2003. This section was laid out with a clinometer (incline gauge) and incline levels. It's designed to shed water and be maintenance free (other than occasional raking and pruning). Part of the clinic's focus was on reclaiming old trail when you re-route by transplanting the vegatation from the new trail to the old. Check it out and see if you can find the old trail! This new section ties back into the old trail beside Canyon Lakes Drive where there's an option, a steep headwall climb to the right or the left is alongside the pavement to a climbing upside down S turn. This soon runs into another straight in, straight out gulley plunge that makes many whoop and holler. You'll soon come to a rocky downhill ending in a sweeping right turn into a sandy gulley bottom. If you can carry enough speed, there's a steep, loose headwall straight ahead or  a twisty, slight incline trail to the right. After a few sweeping turns, there is another junction. The right is the easy way. The left drops through a rocky section and runs beside Canyon Lakes Drive for about 100 yards, turns right and climbs to another junction. A left turn takes you to the add-in called Shippwrecked. It has a short, steep downhill with a 5" ledge in the middle. It curves right and climbs to another 5" ledge. This add-in ties back into the main trail and after several winding turns, you come to a junction. The right that will take you back into the east loop. Straight  will bring you to the trailhead by the parking lot.

      These trails are fun, fast & FREE!!  Please wear a helmet while riding these trails.
 
 

NOTREES RANCH TRAIL

LOCATION:  On the Ector County/ Winkler County line approximately 1 mile west of Notrees on the north side of hiway 302 at the caprock edge.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  An eleven mile loop in typical West Texas terrain.  Lots of  mesquite, prickly pear and rocks with plenty of rolling hills to test your stamina. They now have their IMBA insurance in force, so you must be a member or guest of a member to ride there.
 
 

PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK

LOCATION:  Palo Duro Canyon is due south of Amarillo near Canyon, Texas.  Approximately 10 miles east of  I-27 on hi-way 217.  Just watch for the brown State Park signs.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  Palo Duro has many uses and is frequented by travellers from all over the world. Weekends can be very crowded, especially during the annual outdoor play Texas. Best times to ride are the middle of the week in the spring and fall. Summer can be brutally hot. Winters are touch and go, with many days ridable. Water is abundant throughout the canyon.  Other amenities are offered in the park. Camping, from full hook-ups to primitive.  As for the trails. The Capital Peak trail complex offers many short loops that intertwine and never get too far from the parking lot. The Lighthouse trail is 4.5 mile up and 4.5 back trail. It is well used by hikers, bikers, and equestrian, so be cautious and courteous in the two way multi-use traffic. About halfway up the Lighthouse trail, watch for a junction on the right.  This takes you through Cottonwood Flats to two trails.  The Fox Loop Trail is an intermediate loop with several river crossings and numerous sections of shaded, tree-lined trail. For those who want extreme, there's the GSL trail, an expert (or at least advanced intermediate) trail. Full of technical terrain and spectacular views, GSL is now a loop.  It comes out on the main park road and crosses water crossing #1, where it enters Paseo del Rio.  This is a relatively new trail that runs alongside the river and comes out on the road at water crossing #2.   The Sunflower is another trail section between the main park roads that runs alongside the river for a ways. The scent of flowering vegetation is indescribable. It is an easy multi-use trail with few technical sections. Very scenic. Palo Duro State Park.         1-806-488-2227    www.palodurocanyon.com
 
 

PLAINVIEW/ JOLIET SINGLETRACK

LOCATION:  In the northeast corner of Plainview on Joliet just south of 5th street.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  A five mile loop that cuts through a drainage channel numerous times.  On the east end it goes into and out of a big pit with a couple of challenging climbs.  The northeast corner is full of dirt mounds which the trail winds through and over.  The area the trail is located on is relatively flat but there is plenty of climbing thanks to imaginative trail builders.  A good race course.  Rumor has it that the City of Plainview has appropriated $1.3 million for improvements on their bike park!!  Way to go, Ralph!!
 
 


QUITAQUE QUEST/ CAPROCK CANYON STATE PARK

LOCATION:  In Briscoe County, 3 miles North of Quitaque.  Take State Highway 86 to Quitaque, then take FM 1065 to Caprock Canyons state park entrance.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  The 1999 race loop was approx. 12 miles with numerous creek crossings (usually dry & sandy).  Several tough climbs, one of which they offer $25.00 to anyone who could ride it with no dabs.  A very challenging race course.  Double points event for the 2000 series.
 
 

SAN ANGELO STATE PARK SOUTH SHORE PAVILLION

LOCATION:  IN TOM GREEN COUNTY,  1 MILE WEST OF SAN ANGELO, ON THE O.C. FISHER RESERVOIR, VIA HIGHWAY 67 TO F.M. 2288, TO THE PARK'S SOUTH SHORE ENTRANCE.
TRAIL DESCRIPTION:  SAN ANGELO IS A VERY POPULAR MT.BIKE DESTINATION IN CENTRAL TEXAS, WITH OVER 60 MILES OF TRAILS AND A NEW 28 MILE LOOP CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION BOASTING THE PARK AS THE MOST RIDEABLE LOCATION IN THE STATE.  SAN ANGELO STATE PARK HAS BEEN THE VENUE FOR MANY NORBA RACES IN THE PAST AND IS A RACERS FAVORITE WITH IT'S FAST ROLLING SINGLETRACK AND CHALLANGEING TECHNICAL SECTIONS.

GENERAL INFO:

*RACE AT SOUTH SHORE PAVILLION
*PARK GATES OPEN AT 8 AM
*BIGINNERS   1 LOOP 9 MILES
*SPORT            2 LOOPS 18 MILES
*EXPERT/PRO  3 LOOPS  27 MILES
 
 

LAKE MACKENZIE

Assuming you may not have been to the lake, we'll start the directions at the gate. Please note that all mileage is approximate.
(1) Left after passing through entry gate, then drive across the dam. Continue until you reach a marina-cafe building. Stop and pay $2 per person for a day pass.
(2) Continue down the gravel road passing the signs warning of an ATV or Motorcyle area. You will see several picnic areas, camper parking areas, etc.
(3) On your left, a mile or so in, you will see a small concrete (cinder) block restroom building. This is where we are suggesting the race start/finish and registration be held. You probably want to get on your bike at this point.
(4) From the bathroom start/finish point continue down the main gravel road. You will know you are in the right place when you cross an old military sectional metal bridge (going downhill, not actually bridging anything) that's maybe 30 feet long.
(5) Just past the military bridge pass a smaller bridge with hand rails (sitting next to the trail) the trail climbs up an embankement. Turn right at the split in the trail. Continue for about 20 or 30 feet and take a trail to the left. This is where we actually started counting the loop, and where we bagan marking the trail with orange tape. We tried to mark most of the trail by putting tape in bushes after turns.
(6) This first section of trail runs through tall weeds/reeds for less than a mile until you cross a creek bed and then come to a fork. Bear right and start a hill climb with one fairly steep section in it.
(7) Continue on this trail for about 0.5 miles until you see a huge concrete culvert on your right at the base of steep climb with lots of loose rocks. Up the hill for 0.1 miles and take the right hand fork.
(8) Travel this trail for 1.3 miles then climb a brown "slickrock" feature and continue on the trail.
(9) Travel another 0.3 miles or so on this same trail and you will see a sign on your right that says "NO ATV".
(10) The trail continues up a long, gradual climb for 0.9 miles, returning you to a fork in road that you passed coming from the other direction. Bear right and continue 0.7 miles through a wide opening the fence, then turn right and continue down a hill. This trail to the right is not as well travelled as the trail to the left.
(12) After 0.4 miles you will reach a very serious down hill with a steep drop. Walk or ride as you wish, continuing down hill and eventually crossing a running stream. Trail is to the left immediately after crossing.the stream.
(13) Another 0.5 miles from the serious downhill will bring you along the fence and to a fork, which you take to the left.
(14) Travel on trail for 0.8 miles until you reach a right hand turn in the fence which the trail follows. Stay to the right and begin to follow the fence line on your right hand side.
(15) Travel for 0.3 miles, then take the left fork.
(16) Travel for 0.2 miles, then take the right fork.
(17) Travel for 0.2 miles, and if these directions are somewhat correct, you should be back where you started the trail at the metal bridge.

Total of about 7 miles for the loop not counting the undetermined start portion. Even though this is only a 7 mile loop, you will get your money's worth on the ride! (You won't be begging for a longer loop after the race.)

Lake MacKenzie race loop description submitted by Mike Briggs


For more local trails, go to http://www.gearhead.com/
They have more local trails in their trail directory than anyplace I've found on the web.

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