Review Date
September 27, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: GTL ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Farlington – Drywood Creek - Crawford State Park.
Definitely a good, fun trail system All sorts of terrain to challenge / enjoy. – just don’t expect any long drawn out climbs – this is Kansas you know! For my tastes full suspension is preferred as there are plenty of rocks and roots, great when dry, treacherous when wet. Main loop runs around the lake for just under 7 miles. There are a few offshoot loops to add to the distance. Either direction is good.

Recommended Route:
I prefer a clockwise rotation starting from the NW corner of the entry road into the park. Starts out with smooth curvy singletrack, with one big slab rock in the middle of the trail, (great spot to view others attempt at clearing it), gets a bit rockier and a short side hill down to more twisty and then up a short steep climb onto a paved car road, head left and at the bottom of the hill dive into the right and meander again on smooth singletrack, then you have a short steep yahoo drop into a creek bed and up again climbing a short distance and a few turns to a small wooden bridge. After the bridge you can either head left and catch one of these offshoot loops or head right taking you behind the dam and then up the longest climb of the course. Once at the top, again you are scooting along some nice fast swooping singletrack stuff, a few rock gardens and then back across a road into more single track. In the next few miles you get to experience smooth fast single track, (big ring possibilities), as well as gnarly rock gardens and a few steep drops down rocky tiers into ravines and then short climbs and a few shelves that you are going to either leap up and over or have to clear them on foot. There is one short steep left hand switchback that I have yet to clear (someday), and then immediately after… another rock step, which, with the right amount of finesse and momentum can be cleared. You have a few more road crossings, another bridge to cross then up a hill to the left, meandering again through nice tight single track and some awesome rock gardens and root sections – definitely faster is better so you don’t spend too much time going up and down but over and past. At various pints around the trail you do get some great views of the lake, take the time to enjoy. The bizarrest portion of the trail is during the single track section that crosses a variety residences’ front yards. They don’t seem to mind but where it is just front lawnn it might be better to stay on the road – dive back in when the track is within the woods. The finish of this outer loop is at the main day use area, restaurant, boating, playground etc. Two side notes, there is a parking fee – but it does go to the KS park system and results in very nice campgrounds and toilet/shower facilities. Giving you a great place to hang out for a weekend to explore the whole park and trail system. Go try it!

Review Date
March 24, 2006

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: GroverGT ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Decent trail, technical as they get I think. As mentioned already it is very rocky on the south end with hardtails at a disadvantage. It is a pretty nice loop though, about 7 miles I think. Trail is on the fattire series so it can't be too bad. I think there are 2 sections I haven't climbed, both on the east side. If you been there you probably know where I am talking about. North end gets very muddy with rain. Don't forget to pay your 6.50 ;(

Recommended Route:
you can ride it clockwise(a bit easier) or counterclockwise. As rough with rocks and roots as it is, its not a very fast trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
23rd street pittsburg, wilderness park frontenac

Review Date
September 25, 2005

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: josh02_2001 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Before i say anything, it needs to be known that make sure you pay the amount for the day pass. Me and my buddies tried to get by with just paying a couple bucks a piece since we were only gonna be there for a couple hours and sure enough we had $43 worth of fees and fines waiting for us when we got back to our cars. With that said this isn't worth the gas and paying the $6.50 per car to ride these trails. I spent enough today to keep me from ever going back. I am living in Pittsburg and you can do close to the same stuff at 23rd street or Wilderness Park, there just isn't as much to ride. The only positive of Farlington lake is that it is a large loop, and is more technical. Great workout, but i guess i am just throwing a fit having to pay that much to ride these trails.

Review Date
July 29, 2005

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: chelboed ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
North of the dam is kinda hilly...starts out with 3-4' wide pea-gravel trail with singletrack spurs and a creek to cross.

South of the dam seems to be all singletrack with some creek crossings and paved road crossings. The trails back in the woods are very rocky and rooty. It really made me wish I still had my C-dale dual suspension again instead of my hardtail. One creek crossing in particular, I recall being nothing but rock with a switchback and a pretty steep climb out...I didn't think I would clean it but I did.

It was 95 degrees and around 50% humidity when I rode this trail, so it kicked my tail. It was pretty fun though.

Recommended Route:
I give it a 3 for the rocks and roots. (I don't mind a few, but I definately had my fill here)

Review Date
May 14, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months