CRAMBA: Seven Lakes

[Critter7r]

yeah i didnt think so, you could definitely tell the difference between Seven Lakes and Holdridge...if you ride Seven lakes, bring your bushwhacking gear...lol

If you enter near the boat launch at the end of the park road, then yes, the trail is pretty tight with lots of pickerbushes, but if you enter from anywhere else, and avoid that leg of the trail, it's pretty much clear riding.

Plus, I went in there with a weedwacker in June or July one day after work and cut both sides of that part of the trail for the first half mile or so. I was riding there 2 or 3 days a week after work in the summer (it's only a half mile ride from my house to the park entrance) and I was pretty tired of getting lashed on my arms and legs every time I rode thru.

I assume because of the short "MMBA has nothing to do with Seven Lakes" answer to a question above, that the answer is easily searchable. So i will search for the answer to the question of "why not?".

[Josh McCreedy]

The history is fuzzy to me, but, to my knowledge, the answer goes back about a decade when MMBA members and some Fenton bike store people worked with the park to add trail, including the trail that would have created a big loop on the South part of the park. Unfortunately, that loop required significant bridges over bog or fen. This created some sort of conflict with the former or current Park leadership and the project was shuttered. If anyone knows more about this history, please chime in.

I've been carrying an axe on rides and runs and I clear when necessary. It's my favorite after work ride, as well. Once you know the place, it's easy to rack up some miles on pretty tough terrain and it's rare to see anyone out there.

There are two small trees down on the section by the boat ramp you mention (the boat ramp on the "big lake"). Other than these two, the trails are perfect for winter riding!

[Josh McCreedy]

Park at the overlook or eastern boat launch to access the main trails. They are tacky and ready. I wouldn't recommend the 18 to 20 section in the SW part of the park with the two creeks. I didn't walk it, but I have a good feeling it would be muddy.

[Critter7r]

Rode yesterday. The trail that enters near the boat launch seemed ok at first, there were branches laid down at the creek crossing so that part wasn't too bad, but there is a 30 foot section of slop a few hundred yards later going thru the tall grassy area. Mud deep enough to envelop my shoes. I don't mean a mud-puddle, either, this is like pudding. Sloppy and sticky. The rest of the trails I rode were perfectly moist with an occasional hint of mud. I'd give the boat-launch entrance another week of no rain before trying it again.

[Josh McCreedy]

The boat launch to boat launch trail is trimmed back, but still has one log down. The trails are in great shape.

[KRUG]

The boat launch to boat launch trail is trimmed back, but still has one log down. The trails are in great shape.

I need a guided tour of Seven Lake some day to get me started. Its so close to home and yet I never ride it. I can get there by bike and never have to ride on Grange Hall Rd. (not safe for bikes since there is no shoulder).

[Josh McCreedy]

Let's choose an evening this week. Then, maybe we could post it in the ride announcements as well.

[Josh McCreedy]

Trails have seen some recent weed whip trimming and saw work and are in excellent shape.

[Critter7r]

Rode 7 Lakes last night after work... holy cow, the trail is WIDE OPEN!! Somebody(s) has done some serious trail clearing out there! I could have ridden with my arms stretched out and not hit anything along a lot of the trail.

Oh and my apolgies to the guy that I saw briefly at the Fish Lake Rd and Quick Rd intersection... I would have stopped and introduced myself and maybe chatted about your 12-hour race (at 7 Lakes?) but the wife had me on a strict 45-minute limit for my ride and i was about 42 minutes into it and a mile from home!

[Critter7r]

Rode again after work yesterday. Lots of loose branches and brush in the trail in the interior. ONe stick yanked the cable out of my rear der. Manged to get it back together in short order, luckily, since it was almost dark. Trail is still pretty wide open and in good shape. i'd like to sneak in in the spring and build a stick bridge across the creek on the south part of the trail where it's always a mud-fest. (I won't, but I wish I could )

[Jim O]

Maybe our local host will retire by then?

[J/C]

I was home for Thanksgiving and rode over and rode the trails (pretty much all of them I think). Rode in off Eddy Lake, around the trails and then out on Tinsman. For this time of the year, the trail was in fine shape. There were a couple wet spots, the same ones that are typically wet in the spring. There were maybe a half dozen trees across the trail.
Riding this time of year, with the leaves down really reveals the wild terrain out here. When you're up on the ridges on the south side of the lakes, it's amazing how steep the dropoffs are on each side. I fee like there's so much potential for a great set of trails. The current ones are getting more eroded all the time. Let's hope someday soon the circumstances will come together and new sustainable and flowing trails can be built at 7 Lakes. Until then, it's not such a bad ride...
John

[Josh McCreedy]

Boat launch to boat launch, it is in great shape. A handsaw would work on the couple small trees down. The tread is hiker-packed with a grippy snow surface. I had great hookup with my Kenda Karma 1.9 at low pressure. The local dirt and park roads are fast and packed right now.

[Critter7r]

Was able to get out to the trail this evening. Don't bother trying to ride the tail of the trail that starts at the boat launch at the end of the road, I carried my (wife's) bike through quite a few mud holes. (Can't get the wife's bike muddy, and mine is still not rebuilt yet - trying to find drivetrain components). But the front trails were pretty firm, no mud holes on the trails I rode.

[Critter7r]

Anybody know how much rain we got in Holly? Better yet, been out to the trail this afternoon? The wife said it was pouring, but only for a short time. Would like to hit the trail this evening.