What's the best MTB trail EVER?

Molass to Cascade!

Hands down this is the best trail I've ever ridden. It is high-country riding at it's finest! We are talking long climbs to one of the most technical downhills around Durango. Mountain peaks surround you during your ride at 11,500 feet. Why, during the ride you could easily stop and climb a peak - they are that close.

I ride back up the passes to my car, which tacks on another 2 or so hours. It is brutally caloric and full of lactic threshold. If you are in Durango, then do this ride!

Walker T

Off the road, on the mind...

The best trail I have ridden by far has been my local trail. (Town Run Trail) It combines awesome scenery with all types of terrain. This year they added som board ramps to add to the fun. At 7.5 miles, you can do it over and over and still not get tired of it. If you're ever in the Indianapolis area you should check it out!

Thanks for the Indi riding tip!

Walker T

Off the road, on the mind...

This is a bit winded so I apologize. I just enjoy writing sometimes.

I'm lucky enough to have one of the most popluar trails in Southern California right behind my house in Aliso Woods Canyon. I ride straight over and drop in down a fire trail.

For me, the combination of Choya to Rock-it to Coyote to Dripping Caves leaves little left to be desired. Choya is a the major climb off the main canyon trail and it a straight up switch back with little points of rest. Roadrunners, large lizards, snakes and bobcat kittens often show themselves here as if to say "hi." Once on top of the ridge you glimpse a view of the MTB canyon on one side and an amazing view of the Laguna Beach and Pacific Ocean on the other. Really cool. After short ride on this fire trail/ridge you come to Rock-It where most are getting ready by lowering their seat posts (which tells you a lot).

While not super steep it can be technical and mistakes frequently yield bad bruises or broken bones. Rock-It starts as a simple single track along a ridge with large bush on both sides. Two-way traffic is a bit scary here as people are ripping. As you come out of the brush, you begin to catch a hint of origin of the trail name with some jagged rocks coming out of the dirt...and then you see it: the Rock Path. This is a 400 yard section of washboard-style rock in which the line is tough to keep unless you're really flying. There is a chicken-strip on the outside right for the hardtails and novice riders which is nice. I've often seen experience riders climbing this section but I have yet to bite off that chunk on my morning rides. Not only that, I'd much rather go down it. Again, this section is akin to a bumpy concrete landing where limbs and bones can easily find leverage points in which to separate so coming off the bike is not an option once you start. Once past the rock bed, you're into a bunch of short techincal sections with either a steep up or down challenge which are really fun. Each part affords a new challenge every time I ride them. Then it's into the luge section where it's literally carved out like a luge and you can let gravity do the work and it's a blast. The rest is just rutted speedy downhill which test your hands while they burn lactic acid from braking.

Coyote is a single track which offers some good jumps but is just an over all burner. Last time out, I saw an 8-point buck just off the trail which is very rare here in California. Towards the end, it darts into a tree covered path along a creek and then juts directly up a tough ridge climb which you really have to be ready for. This puts you out to the entrance to Dripping Caves.

Across a small bridge and through some dense jungle brings you to the bottom of a tough uphill single track which few can master due to the sandy ruts that have developed. If you have the speed, you can get through them and snake your way up the hill. If you do, you'll pass all the others stranded trying to get clipped back in while still in their granny gear. Once on top, you enjoy some very sketchy single track along a ridge with some fun ups and downs and get led back into the jungle where the dripping caves exist. These caves were actually used by bankrobbers back in the day to hide their loot. It's fun to show new riders this small bit of hidden history. After this, you head back out of the tree canopy back to the main canyon trail where you talk about your crashes and mishaps on the way back home.

It's just a great ride. I invite you to come out and try it if you're ever in Southern California!

Erik

My favorite trail is the Fall's Creek Trail in Washington (Gifford Pinchot Forest). The shuttle (lots more down) or out and back (10 mile climb) versions are equally good.