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Grindstone Nature Area
8 reviews
3.38 of 5
Grindstone is a bowl-shaped park bordered by Hinkson Creek on the north and west sides, and by Grindstone Creek on the east and south. Cliffs and wooded hills surround a flat field with a wooded "island" in the middle. Three or four miles of enjoyable singletrack winds through the woods surrounding the broad trail encircling the field. Also, a great little stretch of singletrack crosses the island. The singletrack on the southern ridge is especially picturesque.
Bring your climbing gear for the limestone routes at Capen, on the west side (5.6-5.11).
The Grindstone-Capen Park area is located about a quarter of a mile south of the Stadium Blvd. - Old Hwy 63 intersection in southeast Columbia. You can access the trails from the Grindstone (east) side on Old 63, or from the Capen Park (west) side on Rock Quarry Road. The singletrack here connects to the Hinkson rail-trail which runs through Grindstone and a few miles west to the MKT rail-trail which then goes southwest to the Katy Trail.
Summary: Varing terrian; has everything from crushed gravel to step uphills, and rock desents. Just rode today and is in need of some reconditioning on the trail following the creek towards the westside of the basin. other then this, a great quick ride not to far from downtown. I use it to get a quick ride when time is a constratent, but i just got to get a fix.
Recommended Route: To condridict previous reviewers, I park (or ride in i don't live to far away) at the Rock Quarry Rd. (Capen Park) Enterance and take a left along the bluff line staying out of the field (plenty of double track out here)which has a short uphill followed by a nice winding downhill w/ plenty of roots. I then head over to the secret stash of Grindstone, the south boundary. This across the bridge (or if you park at the Old 63 / Grindstone Nature Area Entrance on that side of the bridge) to the south tree line, where the trail takes you across the creek and different set of trails. I ussually head south at the first intersection and then head east at the next which takes you to a nice long uphill. this follows the entire boundary of grindstone leading to one very techincal down hill (there two technical downhills on this route, one makes the loop shorter). I then head back across the bridge (you can choose to cross the big creek before you get out of the south boundary) and hit the section of trail following the creek on the north side and back to the parking area. there are several different singel tracks in both the north & south area, just try to keep yourself oriented in the south.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Rhetts Run, Rockbridge, and Binder Lake
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Review Date March 20, 2003
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Garner
, from Columbia, Missouri
Summary: This park has changed a lot in the last few years. Large crushed limestone paths were put in for walkers and joggers and to connect the park all the way to the MKT and Katy trails. This is also an off-leash area for pets. If you avoid the limestone there is some fun singletrack on the ridges. Overall, it is a short trail but great if you live within a couple of miles so you can cruise there on your bike.
Recommended Route: I like to park at the Grindstone entrance off of Old 63, just south from Stadium. Head out on the limestone trail and take a left off of the bridge. Cross the creek and start climbing. This trail will lead you high on the ridge on the south side of the park. Then keep going clockwise. When you get to Capen Park I like to take a trail up on top of the rocks that leads you to Stadium.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Rock Bridge State Park, Three Creeks, Finger Lakes, Cosmo Park, MKT/Katy
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Review Date February 20, 2003
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: smokey strodtman
, from gilliam, MO USA
Summary: i totally agree with barry, this is an ideal beginner and novice trail. my skill levels are still not that good, and a back injury keeps me from pushing the envelope too hard, but i always have a blast here. there are several rooty, rocky climbs that test your lungs, balance, and pedalling technique. when you get winded, you can always go back to the main trail for a few minutes, then jump back in. grindstone is unique in that it is very close to the U. of Mo. campus. i bet this makes a lot of mountain biking students happy. i also enjoy bringing my wife here and riding the main trails on our tandem. with this trail, rhett's run in cosmos park, and rock bridge state park, you can have a great weekend's riding and then enjoy columbia's nightlife. if you like good beer, don't miss the flat creek microbrewery, a half block south of the intersection of 5th and cherry.
Recommended Route: i always start by parking in the lot off old 63 hwy. and crossing the creek. i hit the wide trail through the middle of the park and then start branching off on all the little singletrack paths i can find.
Other recommended trails in the same area: rhett's run, rock bridge state park.
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Review Date December 8, 2002
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Will Bryson
, from Columbia
Summary: It has a lot of short, fast, and narrow singletrack, and some technical stuff on the backside of the climbing wall. I ride it because it is in the perfect location, in between my house and campus. I ride it pretty much everyday. The trails are short but they are pretty well defined and fun to ride. My favorite part of Grindstone is the trail off Stadium that leads down to the Rock Quarry entrance to the Park. The trail leads a very technical section of rock ledges which is challenging and fun. Most of the time I don't even see another biker, only dog walkers, and they stay off the singletrack. Anyone can ride this park, from beginner to pro, and if your a student with a bike, you should hit this everyday, it is just too close and too much fun.
Recommended Route: Ride up the Second Road Cut east of Rock Quarry on Stadium Drive, or go in off Old 63 S and ride across Hinkson Creek.
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Review Date February 25, 2002
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Cabin Fever
, from Kirksville or St Louis, depending on time of year
Summary: So far, I've only ridden this place once, but I had a blast and intend on riding it much more often in the future when I'm in Columbia. Even though we were constantly coming to forks in the trail, I always felt as though I was not going to get lost, so I was able to fully enjoy all the trails. after riding that place once, I feel very familiar and comfortable with it. There were steep uphills defined by plenty of rocks and roots intermixed to really challenge your technical climbing ability, and some short and sweet downhills that make you feel all warm anf fuzzy at the bottom. The singletrack, which there was a lot of, was very twisty, and just plain fun. The rocks gardens were where they should be, and the singletrack was nice and smooth. I thought that Rock Bridge was limited on space, but this place is much more compact. It kinda reminds me of riding the "trails" in Bluebird Park on Ellisville, if anyone is familiar with that place.
Recommended Route: not really any specific route, as it seemed to be a big web of trails. just take the time to take each direction of each fork, and you'll have a blast.
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3.38 of 5
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