TRAIL ELEVATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS

 

WARNING!! NOT TO BE VIEWED BY: PERSONS WITH HEART CONDITIONS; PREGNANT MOTHERS; OR YOUNG CHILDREN WITHOUT PROPER MTB SUPERVISION

Because GPS isn't an exact science the distances shown may differ from actual mileage

 

AVENUE OF THE PINES

 

This is one of the old Jeep roads out here and is used as a connector for return routes. It is scenic and certainly has it's up and downs. This route runs from Tunnel of the Pines to the southern end of West Fenceline.

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BLACK TRAK

 

If you like to climb, you'll like this trail. It begins with a nice gravity ride and then you pay for it as you climb to the top. Ugh! After that you'll get another twisty, rocky gravity ride that leads to The Grind and The Wall, these are two Texas-sized dips in this trail for your entertainment.

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BOTTLE IN FRONT OF ME (an Extra Credit trail)

 

This is the doppleganger to Frontal Lobotomy ("I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"). It is an "Extra Credit" trail you can use to add smilage to your ride. A little history, this trail was built out of shear frustration when after three weeks into a new bike I broke my wrist. So, I had some time on my hands, six weeks to be exact, and so this trail was born. It has a little climbing and a scooting little roller-coaster section. It also allows the rider to bypass a rather boring section of service road. It's a hoot!

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COYOTE RUN

 

This section of singletrack is a nice winding climb up to West Fenceline from Tunnel of the Pines. Trail construction is credited to Henry P. a long-time patron and contributor to Rocky Hill Ranch. Anyone taking the big loop should ride this trail.

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EAST FENCELINE (North and South sections)

 

The name can be misleading. Even though this trail follows the fence it has some great uphill and downhill runs. Combining South, East and West fenceline trails is a way to provide a good aerobic workout and see the perimeter of the ranch. Parts of this trail have been used to add length to events and is a recommended route for folks who are building their stamina and technical abilities.

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EASY PICKENS

 

An often overlooked trail worth a spin. Most folks ride the second half of it after riding Karaway. You can come up Karaway and take it to the right back to South Fenceline, or initially pass Karaway and continue riding the fenceline to take a left and ride it to Off the Lip. Either way it is a fast curvy section that is easy and fun. It can hold water for a while after a good rain.

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EASY WAY UP

 

Now, I've been called names for calling this “the easy way” and let's just leave it at that. It's easier that the other ways up. A little. After you take the road up to the Campground stay to the left to find the trail, cross the bike cattle guard and watch for Grey's Hiway on the right just past the metal sculpture of a mountain biker and Frankie the poodle. Grey's Hiway is bulldozer-wide. Ride up it and pass “The Wall” on the left, then go left onto Mini-Me (sign says “Easy Way” or something like that. Trust me will ya?). Take this 'cross the Carpet Bridge and watch for Super Secret Switchback to “Y” on the left. You'll end up on the Service Road, go right, then left at the fenceline to Water 1. That's where the fun begins! Over this route you'll spread out the mile that is Fat Chuck's Demise to more than 1.6 miles. It's easier, sorta.

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FAT CHUCK'S DEMISE

 

 

Some people are just gluttons fer punishment. This route is 'specially fer you (and those that didn't know any better). From Trailhead enjoy the gentle slope as it meanders up Milk Jug hill. That's the last gentle thing you will experience for a while. The trail will take you up beside a fenceline. Take note of this. This fenceline will be your companion for the trip. Just ride on the left of it for the rest of the mile. You will get to climb one hill after another of loose gravel and rock until you get to Fat Chuck's headstone. Stop, pay yer respects, put that lung back in, and ride on up to Water 1 to gather your friends who had the good sense to find another way up. Nuff said! Have a good time.

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FRONTAL LOBOTOMY (an Extra Credit trail)

 

Not as bad as it sounds, this trail's name just gives another meaning to concept of “threading the needle” as it takes you winding through the pines up and down for a mile or so. There are some surprises, with tight twisting trail, sandy spots and a few Rob Knockers along the way. Say “Hi” to Sally, no longer swinging, but hanging out beside the trail. This is one of the “Extra Credit” trails that returns to Off The Lip a hundred or so feet beyond where it left. It adds mileage to any of the traditional loops beyond the 6 mile bailout.

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KARAWAY

 

Named for the daughter of one of the former operators, this trail is a joy to ride. With mostly a downhill bent you'll test your skills keeping speed as you wind your way. There are a few wooden trail features to clear minor obstacles, and a fun loose rock downhill section just before you reach the end. The trail flows into EZ Pickens which will carry you to Off The Lip.

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LEAPIN' LIZARDZ (an Extra Credit trail)

 

I couldn't stand it. There was this long, downhill section called Lumberjack Road that didn't go anywhere worth goin. So, this trail was born. It leaves Miracle Mile and provides much needed air-conditioning as gravity pays off down Lumberjack. At the bottom the Lizardz trail leaps off to the right into the woods where it takes you on a twisty fun ride up and down hills, around and through trees, across drainages, and, you'll pass the “Saint Pauli Girl shrine,” (as the gal was instrumental in the creation of this trail). It'll bring you back to Miracle mile a hundred or so feet beyond where you left. This is an “Extra Credit” trail that adds mileage to any loop.

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LONGHORN LOOP

 

As part of the traditional loops this trail will take you to both the 9-mile and the 10-mile bailouts. It begins across the road from Water 2 and winds slightly uphill across roots and through tight trees until you reach Bli-Bli-Station Bridge where the trail drops into a drainage with a pair of ladder bridges and a skinny board-ride that leads to a ladder climbout (built by Boomer and son). After the 9-mile bail you'll find rooty climbs, sweeping sandy turns, logs, and several steep creek crossings until you climb up to the 10-mile bailout and enter Tris Cross.

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MIRACLE MILE

 

This trail is a piece of sweet singletrack as an alternative to riding the West Fenceline at it's southernmost end. It is also the return route for all the traditional loops. It has good flow and mild grades with rooty climbs and short descents as it takes you from Water 4 to the Service Road near Water 1. Two of the “Extra Credit” trails (Leapin' Lizardz & Y-Knot) originate and return to this trail. Pick them up to add mileage without missing much at all.

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OFF THE LIP

 

Not sure of the origin of the name, kinda thought it might have something to do with where I'd lose skin if I miscalculated an approach vector. Maybe it's just the fact that the trail is comin' off the lip of one drainage after another as it takes you to the 6-mile bailout and beyond. I've been askin' folks fer years what their favorite trail is and hands-down it's been this one most of all. It is one fun roller-coaster of a ride once you get the flow workin' in your favor. As you can see by the profile below it has it's ups and downs. It also has turns, roots, gravel and trees that seem to move in front of you if you don't pay close attention. RHR's first two “Extra Credit” trails are on this trail, so you can add more fun to the ride.

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OMAR'S HOWL

 

This one takes you on the 16-mile loop and starts out climbing after the 12-mile bailout. Then, you'll maintain a downhill trend with plenty to keep you amused along the way. Eventually you get to the creek crossing. This used to be a wet endeavor nearly year-round, until Boomer and Skid built “The Shannon” bridge (named after another former operator's daughter). The bridge has a banked turn at the end that lines you up for a short climb out of the creek bed. Another dance through the woods and you'll be deposited on the Service Road leading into the Hay Meadow (which is incredible when the flowers are in bloom!), then on to Tunnel o' the Pines.

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PINE PIN

 

Coming from West Fenceline, you'll have a short downhill run, a climb and then a twisty downhill through the pines with tight turns, logs, a surprise dip and more tree dodging until you reach Avenue of the Pines. The beginning of this trail is one of the highest spots on the ranch. Across the fence from that point the stands of trees you see are carved to spell out the neighboring land-owner's last name, and can be seen from space. Zoom in to the Rocky Hill area and check it out on Google Earth.

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TRADITIONAL WAY UP

 

By taking Trailhead – Drop Zone – Grey's Way – Fat Chuck's you'll be riding the route that most have ridden for years to begin their loops. (at least until Super Secret Switchback was built) This way allows you to taste the last bit of Fat Chuck's Demise without suffering through swallowing the whole buffet table.

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TRIS CROSS

 

Named after Kara's (Karaway) brother, Tristan, this is one fun trail that runs between the 10-mile and 12-mile bailouts. After a short climb you get a long downhill run with turns, loose gravel and sandy spots. It'll test your handling skills at speed as you dodge trees, negotiate turns and thread your way on a gravity ride that always ends too soon. You'll find more than a few creek crossings along this route (rarely wet) with short steep climbs out of them. The last half of this trail will be a steady climb up to the bailout, or, onto Omar's Howl to ride the big loop.

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WEST FENCELINE

 

Heck, a little ol' fenceline trail doesn't sound like much, does it? Remember, Fat Chuck's Demise? It's a Fenceline trail too. Don't be fooled into relaxing for this one. Even though it takes you from the highest corner of the property, somehow you manage to be burning up the legs climbing. The payoff is some screaming fast downhill sections with good visibility and only a few trees and dips to gather skin and blood should you make a mistake. Most often ridden in part as the way to Pine Pin on the 16-mile loop, it can be taken on to Avenue of the Pines. Toward the southern end you may find a little standing water that seeps out of the ground. Definitely worth riding every now and then, so if you miss the turn for Pine Pin, enjoy.

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Y-KNOT (an Extra Credit trail)

 

“Why not?” That's the attitude! This is an “Extra Credit” trail that has become one of the new favorites on the ranch. It meanders back and forth across a creek and up and down the hillsides that feed it. Along the way you find shaded singletrack that makes you smile as you are challenged by a few “Rob Knockers,” the three “Y” trees, and quite a bit of gentle, steady climbing until you are dropped back onto Miracle Mile.

 

 

The End