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Trail Description:
Outside of Grand Rapids in the southwest part of the state you will find 13 miles of trail. The terrain varies from hilly and wooded to more technical rock, roots and sandy sections. The trails are shared with hikers so use caution.
On the trail, taking the first shortcut will bypass most of the more challenging trail sections. There are several ravines through a heavily wooded area. Many of the trails ride along the tops of the ravines. Yes, this means crashes can end up in a tumble down an embankment. By doing the full trail you will be included to a variety of steep uphills and thrilling downhills with plenty of sand, rocks, logs, and roots to increase the fun-factor. This is not a trail to take beginners on. Riding this trail without dabbing is done by someone with polished skills. Newcomers to mountain biking will likely do some hike-a-bikes over the more technical sections.
How to get there:
Starting from Grand Rapids:
Take 131 to the Hopkins exit (south of Grand Rapids) and go East through Gun Lake area to Yankee Springs Rd. Turn right, continue a few more miles and find Deep Lake Rustic Campgroud on your right. The bike staging and start and finish are located here. Park and enjoy.
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Take US-131 to Exit 61 and head east on County Road A-42 for about 8 miles to the park entrance. Take a right on Gun Lake Road for 3 miles until reaching Yankee Springs Road. Then go north to the Deep Lake Campground Entrance.
| Posted by: Timmay! on 8/25/2009 |
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Trail was really fun. this was only my second trail ever and i brought a friend for his first time. we had planned on taking the short cut back but ended up doing the whole 13 miles! it wasn't impossible for us beginners but it was tiring. the scenery is breath-taking and the workout is great!
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| Posted by: Steve-o on 11/15/2008 |
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Trail is great - no doubt one of the best in West Michigan. Even though some say beginners can ride, get ready to go slow if if you bring a beginner. You should be able to do the main 11.5 mile trial in about an hour. Tough, technical & fast in places. A great place to learn after doing a few other more beginer/intermiediate trails.
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| Posted by: Chris on 9/3/2006 |
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The trail is great,it is a great trail for those who love nature. The trail is completely under the canopey of a deep forest. Yes there are technical areas and steep inclines/declines, however they are very fun. The bigest down side to the trail is the sand traps, they incude these to slow you down to prevent accidents. Although you shold not let this impede you from having a great time.The trail is well worth your time and travel. I live in Lansing and I will be going there today, it takes me about 1-1/2 hours to get there, it is well worth the trip.
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| Posted by: J on 6/18/2006 |
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This trail is great but not as technical as most think. I take beginners out here all the time and they love it. It is a very fast trail.
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| Posted by: Derek M. Schanz on 3/27/2006 |
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mild bigginer trail
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| Posted by: yoli on 2/27/2005 |
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three years ago my boyfriend asked if i wanted to do an adventure race - i didn't have any idea what that was all about but said yes - i knew i had to ride a bike that was about it - the race happened to take place at yankee springs - thirteen miles of pure hell and multiple "ass over tea carts" later i was totally in love with mountain biking - none of us had ridden before and it took us the 5 of the 6 hours of the race to get through this - the next summer i was back on this trail and rode it alone (crazy i know) but this time i got through the trail in less then 3 hours and no falls. this is an awesome trail but beginners should start somewhere else - there really is no real "beginner" part to the trail so if you've never ridden before make sure you have someone along who has and just take it easy on yourself. it's also a great place for camping and if you can get out there in the early fall the feeling you get while riding is unbeatable. HAPPY RIDING!
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| Posted by: bikeamtn on 9/12/2004 |
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It ‘rocks’ when you enjoy a good trail.
Say, have you checked out the Trail Advocacy link just on the left listed under the Trail Guides heading? Please remember it’s only as good as the effort that’s put into making it that way and it can disappear tomorrow. Please do your part. Thanks
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| Posted by: G.R.MTNBKR on 7/25/2004 |
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This trail is GREAT, I recommend it to all, although it may be diffucult for newbies, one of the best trails around, great mix of everything, 13 mile total loop. Intermediate-Advanced
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| Posted by: Eric on 9/21/2003 |
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Awesome trail, technical and steep, lots of roots and rocks, great work-out aerobic and cardio
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