Review Date
December 14, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: boisebomber ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
this is one of a kind.....combining riding and canoing.



the ride is mostly on level jeep/gravel road that navigates the park. you have to walk or ride down to the river. no cars allowed. 1-1/2 mi to river.

8 mi. jeep/gravel road within park.

there is also 22mi. of DR leading to park.



in addition, beginning at camp 7,on east canyon road , you ride up a 500' climb over 1/4 mile on a loose/consolidated rock jeep trail. it is a tuff, grueling climb. at the top you steer rt. on a ST that runs along top of escarpment to a windmill. about 4.5 mi. O/W from camp 7.



the ride along escarpment is intermediate and fairly level. you must navigate by signs, cairns and faint trail across limestone escarpment which is covered by soil. you can achieve a fairly constant pace. not too bumpy riding. you can't get lost as you are bordered by a fence and canyon on either side. you have to ride more or less on the trail.



you will pass marker A and head to marker B. in and around B and beyond the trail is harder to follow. you will test your navigation abilities. futhermore as you pass B on way to windmill, there is considerable amount of mesquite bramble, no taller that 12", that will tear at the very fabric of you soul. I suggest gaiters or plain ole tuffness.



park map suggests the trail loops down off escarpment down to river road. however at windmill there is a sign telling you to proceed at your own peril. i proceeded only to be rebuffed by an impenetrable bramble barrier. i was shredded to cole slaw and retreated.

pity because i was only a mile from river road.



i do not know what happens on ascent coming up from river road as it was after dark when i got back and there were no rangers to advise. perhaps the bramble barrier is brief.



the ride requires grit.......and a sense of adventure.



YOU SHOULD DO THIS RIDE BECAUSE ITS THERE



i'll give it 5 just to generate some interest.



the canoe trip is either a day trip with take out 10 mi. downstream or 3 days down to Lake Amistad.



check with TPWD because OF the restrictions on canoing.



but i most say the canoe trip is nothing short of wonderful.

constant level spring fed river runs cool and clear all summer long.