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Lewis & Clark Monument
26 reviews
4.19 of 5
Tight, twisty single track through trees. It is hilly with plenty of switchbacks. There are numerous log crossings, including one that is over 6 feet high. One of the areas unique features is the absence of rocks which allows you to really get in the zone.
From Omaha take I-29 North to 25th st. exit. Take a left on Nash Blvd. Take a left on 8th st. Take a left on Monument Rd. Take a left on top of hill which brings you into the monument area. Please do not ride on the grass at the top by the monument.
Summary: I've been wanting to check this trail out for quite some time. With a trail level description of "extreme" I just had to find out what was so extreme about any trail in Nebraska.
Well, after riding this trail I am going to officially retract their "extreme" claim. There is nothing in any way, shape, or form about this trail that is extreme. Not one single rocky section, not one single drop, jump, huck, nothing. In fact, I didn't encounter so much as a slippery root on the entire trail. Okay, there was ONE log crossing that MIGHT be considered advanced, but certainly not 'extreme.' So if 'extreme' is what you are looking for, look elsewhere.
However, that's not to say that this trail sucks. Quite the opposite. Although I came here looking for what I consider 'extreme' I ended up finding a pretty cool trail. It was a tacky, sandy-silt type of soil that offered incredible traction. There were sections where the trail had great berms and whoops and it was pretty fun. The views were great, offering glimpses of miles and miles of open prairie land to the west, then dropping you deep into the forest where you become enveloped within the tree canopy.
But there is one thing I learned from riding this trail: If you give a Nebraskan a 300 foot tall bluff and the "okay" to build a trail system on said bluff, he/she will construct a trail with somewhere between 34,000 and 39,000 feet to total elevation change. My God, this trail was relentless in its climbing and descending. I don't think there was more than about 16 feet of 'flat' trail to be found here. After a while I really couldn't tell what 'flat' was anymore. I used my front derailleur more times on this one ride than I do all year back in Kansas City. Unreal.
All in all, the L&CM trail is pretty cool but needs to be re-described to keep people on the right track. I think with a description of 'extreme' they are scaring off the intermediate riders (the people who would enjoy this trail the very most) and attracting jumpers and freeriders (who will become very annoyed with the climbs). Although it does have some 'extreme' climbs, it should probably be downgraded to an intermediate trail.
By the way, what's up with that giant, black squirrel I saw on the trail? I've never seen a black squirrel before. But this thing was jet-black from head to tail.
Recommended Route: I rode it in sort of a counter-clockwise direction but I think riding it clock-wise might have been more fun. Either direction, you're going to be doing some climbing and decending no matter what. And you'll also be ending your ride with a gnarly (dare I say, "extreme") climb up to the top of the bluff. I'd make sure that front derailleur is shifting properly prior to riding this trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Not sure, this was my first time riding in the Omaha area.
Summary: While traveling through Omaha I stopped overnite and called the local bike shop beforehand to find a good place to ride. They recommended this little jewel. It was a blast! It starts with some good downhills and ends with a tough climb. Lot's of good stuff in between!
Recommended Route: I entered the trail just to the right side of the bathrooms in the parking lot of the Lewis and Clark Monument. Road it counter clockwise.
Other recommended trails in the same area: 1st time in this area
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Summary: This trail was the first bona fide mountain bike trail I rode when I bought my entry level mountain bike in May 2003. What a rude and powerful rite of passage into the sport! I must have crashed four or five times the first time I rode at Lewis & Clark. The downhills are ever challenging and best suited for full suspension rigs. The climbs and switchbacks are mostly middle ring, but a few sections require a switch to the granny. Especially is this so with the last climb known more affectionately as “Neverest.” This is one of the cruelest climbs around. I am a beginning racer and, as such, I am only able to squeeze out two laps on this trail. Every time I ride this trail a surge of terror enters into my soul. The reason for this is that I separated my shoulder on the big log pile in October 2003. Too much speed and a lack of control put me too far to the left of the pile and I endoed badly. I have heard other stories of nasty crashes on the log pile. The secret is to get momentum working for you, but not too much. Going too slow over the pile also invites disaster. In a word, if anyone from out of state is looking for a challenging trail in the Omaha area, it is my humble opinion that Lewis & Clark is the place to go. I have learned that the term “technical” is relative to where you live. What we would call “technical” here in the Midwest folks in Colorado would call “intermediate.” By Midwest standards Lewis & Clark is a technically challenging trail. I hope to see you out there!
Recommended Route: Enter trailhead just east of the restrooms and follow the signs.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Platte River, Swanson Park, Lake Manawa Trails, and Tranquility Park
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Summary: All I can say is DON'T BREAK YOUR SEATPOST HALF WAY THROUGH THE LOOP...the walk/ride sucked! The part I got to ride was challenging and fun.
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Review Date August 3, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 5 of 5
Technical Difficulty 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Wardo
,
Cross Country Rider
, from Omaha
Summary: I've been riding this (these) trail(s) for over 10 years, and it can't get the credit it deserves. Too many excellent trails were lost when the main loop was put in. Before this, there many many offshoots that would get you cooking to 40mph on tight single track and drops that are too dangerous to put back in with the number of riders it now gets. Plus, if you're not a marathon conditioned rider, you could take short, but very steep trips back to the top to start all over again (of course, you wouldn't be allowed to do this if you couldn't stay on your bike), but I like the sadistic souls who made the climb what it is, they did a great job. Because of the unique Loess soil, the hills exhibit many characteristics of big mountains with triple fall lines and erosion shoots that can launch you for some spectacular air (very few I've witnessed have landed these, but it has been done ;-). For those of you who wonder about the lack of air, I think this is intentional since the riders want to keep riding it and not lose the trails like motorcyclers did in the 70's from too many injuries/deaths.
Recommended Route: The loop, it's black and white, your either on it or not.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Nothing else in it's class for at least 80 miles.
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