Northern: Midland City Forest

[mysphyt]

There is a second parking area at the start of the Gnu Loop. It is at the end of a somewhat inconspicuous gravel road off of Eastman Avenue, right across from the Northeast Paint and Wallpaper store parking lot (next left after the Fairgrounds entrance if heading north from US-10). From this lot you can take the very easy and level ski trail behind the yellow vehicle barrier. Take it all the way until it turns a sharp right (about 1 mile), you'll actually be in the middle of the Frog Holler trail, get on the trail about 100 yards past the ski trail turn.

[Mr_H]

Rode the north and south loops today for the first time in two weeks. They're in great shape, nice and fast (at least fast for me).

If the guy who stopped me on the way out to ask about the trails (first time there I guess) reads these forums I hope ya had a good time. I normally have a map with me, but didn't have one today. I'll make a note to carry a couple of spares in the future to hand out to newcomers:)

[dirtpo]

I see I haven't updated the trail conditions since it all dried out last May. Hey, it's perfect! And Frog Holler is nicely broken in -- it's getting pretty fast. The leaves on the swamp maples are just starting to turn -- gorgeous time to be out.

I saw that one rider asked how to get to Frog Holler, our least technical loop, without riding the rest of the trail. Use the south lot, off Eastman Rd across from the paint store. From there, go straight west on the south boundary 2-track to where the road turns north. Frog Holler uses that 2-track for about 90 yards before and after the corner. Watch for the sign where the singletrack heads back into the woods about 90 yards after the corner. The loop is about 1.5 miles and great for beginners, but still fun for the rest of us.

[guitarslave]

completely dry, and totally fun, going tomorrow and will update if needed

[mysphyt]

All dry/mostly dry. "The trail is in perfect condition. The leaves are turning and a little rain recently has firmed up the sandy spots. IMBA trail care crew visit is scheduled for Nov 1-4. Go ride." -- dirtpo

What is the agenda for the IMBA trail crew? I looked through the volunteer forum and didn't see any work party announcements. Any public activities planned around this event?

Very, very cool that the IMBA TC is coming to Midland!

[paydirt_07]

I'm coming up to Midland on Sunday (10/21) to ride the Midland City Forest trail, with my son, for the first time. I was wondering if any locals could give me a heads up on the trail conditions, since all the rain this week. From earlier posts, it seems like it drains well. Thanks for any input.

[mysphyt]

I'm coming up to Midland on Sunday (10/21) to ride the Midland City Forest trail, with my son, for the first time. I was wondering if any locals could give me a heads up on the trail conditions, since all the rain this week. From earlier posts, it seems like it drains well. Thanks for any input.

I would expect the trail to be in good condition tomorrow, last weekend things were totally dry and we haven't had enough rain here to change it much. I'll be going there this afternoon and will post if different.

[paydirt_07]

I'm coming up to Midland on Sunday (10/21) to ride the Midland City Forest trail, with my son, for the first time. I was wondering if any locals could give me a heads up on the trail conditions, since all the rain this week. From earlier posts, it seems like it drains well. Thanks for any input.

I would expect the trail to be in good condition tomorrow, last weekend things were totally dry and we haven't had enough rain here to change it much. I'll be going there this afternoon and will post if different.

Thanks, mysphyt. Looking forward to a great day of trail riding.

[mysphyt]

Just got back from riding the north and south loops. Trail is dry and in good condition. Several trees down accross the south loop along the creek. Two are at the bottom of quick downhill sections. One has been made rideable the other is not so be careful.

[paydirt_07]

Rode trail for the first time, on Sunday (10/21). Trail conditions were good. We had a really good ride and enjoyed the trail very much.
On my second partial loop, I jambed my front into some soft dirt, bunny hopping off the side end of the teeter-totter and endoed. It was my own fault b/c I was a little tired & was not totally paying attention to what I was doing. I bruised some ribs, but I will be ok after a little recovery.
Overall, it's a great trail and well worth the drive!

[Creamy]

I unfortunately seem to always hit this trail in the spring when it seems half of it is under water.
Well I got to ride it yesterday, OMG! I had so much fun, this is really a fun technical trail system and obviously loved and cared for... All the technical stuff is a blast, especially the teeter-totter, all the log climbs, bridges, etc.
Got to really utilize my FSR!
The trail was in fabulous shape, I think I will try to focus my future visits on the late summer, fall next year!
Good Job on the trail to the folks working hard to maintain it!
Cheers
C

[guitarslave]

just went this afternoon, the winds this week have taken their toll because there are many MANY trees down, including a large one that fell onto the West Bridge. the structure of the bridge seems to be okay and you can walk your bike across but the railing is pretty messed up. PM me you guys are planing a clean-up day and i'll try to make it out. there's also alot of trees down on the south-loop section, some more intrusive then others... just keep your eyes ahead and you'll be fine. some changes have been made to the south loop creek section as well, some nice fixes it seems except that one log pile at the bottom of the hill just before the creek... i swear i'm going to kill myself on that thing

[guitarslave]

Just went today and it was beautiful... it looks like someone got out there and cleaned it up and fixed the west bridge since my last post so thank you very much whoever that was. that snow was deep and hard to ride through in a couple places but I would've been happy just walking out there today it was so pretty. for the most part it was a pretty easy ride even without studded tires. there is a couple of trees down but nothing that can't wait till srping. I really do encourage you guys to brave the cold and go check it out, i had a blast.

[dirtpo]

During mud season, avoid the north end of the north bound Gnu loop and the dismal swamp part of the South loop. The suggested route, assuming you're riding the standard direction (see arrows on trail) is this: On the south end of the South Loop, when you get to the Gnu loop connector, take it. This gets you off the south loop just before the dismal swamp. Ride the Gnu loop to the 2-track crossing a little past the 1 mile marker. Get off here and go left (west) about a hundred yards on the 2-track to pick up the southbound Gnu and ride it backwards (north) -- that's a right turn back onto the singletrack. At the north end of the Gnu Loop, go off the end of the hairpin to re-connect with the South Loop, which is just a few yards away. You'll miss some good dry trail this way, the south half of the south-bound Gnu and the a little of the NE South loop, but you can ride those backwards and figure it all out from the map.

[shades9323]

Any updates on this trail? I may be riding it Sat april 19