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Council Bluffs Lake Trail
18 reviews
4.44 of 5
This rocky single track rises over forested ridges and dips into sequestered hollows as it traces the convoluted edge of Council Bluff's Lake. About 1/3 of the way in, there is an absolutely spectacular descent over rocky, rooted terrain. Baby, just let it go ... The trail is characterized by rocky descents, hairpin turns through drainages, and short technical uphills. A mile from the end, there is a swimming beach with bathrooms and an outdoor shower. Stop and marvel at the pale, walrus-like hillbillies beached on the warm sands (Budweisers in hand). The trail picks up again just past the beach on the left (South) side of the road and provides just over a mile of singletrack finale.
There's no easy way, but go to Potosi. From Potosi, take Hwy P, Southwest to Hwy C (which runs roughly East and West). At Hwy C, go West for a very short distance (1/4 mi.?) and go South on Hwy DD for 7-8 mi., until you see signs for the US Forest Service's Council Bluff's Lake Recreation Area. Take a left and follow the road left and down to the boat ramp area. The trailhead is on the South side of the parking lot, near the boat ramp. Behind a small sign, a short section of single track is visible climbing up into the forest.
Summary: 1st time out for me and the fourth overall for trail riding. This trail had a lot of undulations and 3 really steep hills. I am a beginner and started riding for the exercise and this trail certainly accomplished that. My friends took me out for the full 12 mile experience and it was probably more than I could handle. I recommend to the beginner to wait until around the 3 to 4 month of riding before doing this trail. That is not to say that this was not fun because actually the views and rock gardens were fun to see and the down hills made this really fun to ride. I had to walk a lot up the 3 steep hills or so and by the last 2 miles or so I was wiped. I recommend bring plenty of water and some kind of energy bar to eat around the half way mark. I would definitely ride this trail again I might just wait until I get in a lot better shape. I also recommend bring a couple spare tubes as all 3 of us that day ended up with flats.
Recommended Route: Clock wise seemed to make for better downhill experience.
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Summary: I had a blast riding this trail! Went to canoe the Current and decided to extend for some singletrack. This was great tight singletrack. Great ups and downs, nothing technical except the downed trees (not too many). Biggest challenge was all the spider webs I ate. Was planning on riding the Trace Creek section of the OT (or maybe they are just offshoots), but I had such a fun ride on this I repeated it the next day instead.
Recommended Route: Counter clockwise from the campground or the beach. Super nice beach...had it to myself!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Enjoyed this one too much to try the others!
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Summary: So here's the scoop on the Council Bluff Trail from the perspecive of an TANDEM MTB team...
1. It's mostly single track with a few short sections of double-track or gravel road. This may make passing (or being passed) in races a little difficult if the field size is large.
2. There are no flat sections. Although the trail constantly undulates (sp?) up and down, there are really only 2 long (0.3 - 0.5 mile) climbs; one of them is single track and steep enough that I don't think we could climb it on the tandem for multiple laps without walking up; the other is much more gradual double track and is certainly ridable for multiple laps... its so subtle that you don't know it's bad until you notice that your HR is at 90% of max and your only going 6 mph.
3. Approx. 3-4 miles of the trail is riddled with lots of roots and moderate-difficulty rock gardens. These are pretty tricky on the twicer but certainly rideable. I've seen a lot worse/more difficult rock gardens (i.e. the Chubb trail that others referred to on MTBreviews site).
5. Scenery is beautiful (see photos to be posted). The trail stays lakeside 90% of the time (the hills result from crossing the many small streams/tributaries.
6. It was a 1:45 drive from St. Louis/Webster Grove area.
7. The terrain/views/riding surface vary greatly. By the time your tired of rock gardens, you get to good clean hardpacked dirt. By the time your tired of that, you get open, dusty gravel trail, etc.
Overall... This is an awesome race course. If anything, it may be a little too technical for a tandem but then again, my wife and I only had to dismount a few times (mostly for big logs which I would guess would be cleared for races).
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Summary: A good ride, nothing too technical or exhausting. Just 14 miles of mountain biking with the reward of a good swim at the beach. Chubb is more technical and Berryman is much more challenging, but this one is beautiful.
Recommended Route: Any way is fine, there are good markers.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Berryman, Chubb, Castlewood, Greensfelder.
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Review Date October 15, 2003
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 4 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Rich Wallen
,
Cross Country Rider
, from Macomb, Il, USA
Summary: I enjoyed the trail. It had alot of rocks (something we don't have in Ill.)
We went clockwise and had a few good climbs. The best section is fromthe boat ramp to the damn (8mi.) going counterclockwise
Recommended Route: We thought next time we would start at the boat ramp and go counterclockwise to the damn and turn around.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Berryman
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4.44 of 5
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