Review: This trail just opened last fall. One way trail. It gets better each time I ride there. This trail has the most climbing in the Columbus area. It is a stacked loop. So you can do around 4 miles. Or do the additional loop for around 7. When it opened I felt like it was all climbing with no flow. But as the trail has broke in. And a couple corners have been reworked. It really is getting more flow to it. You can get some practice with switchbacks here. I believe the plan is to add a little more distance to the beginning. I believe it will be around 8-9 miles when all finished

* Review edited 9/8/2012

Review: I rode the Chestnut Ridge trail today despite the recent rainy weather because I wanted to try it out before the weather got rainier and found the trail to hold up well. When I entered the trailhead and began to ride through the field I wondered if this is all that there is. But the trail turned to singletrack pretty quickly and the uphill switchbacks began. I have to admit that, when going uphill, I pushed more than I rode although I watched stronger riders make it up. After navigating through the woods I came to the junction where riders can turn left for a more challenging and more scenic ride along the crest of the ridge and through extensive rock gardens for a full 7.5 mile ride or turn right onto the green trail for a shorter 4.5 mile trail. It is my opinion that everyone, novice and expert alike, should take the blue trail and ride the entire trail system. Aside from navigating through the rock garden, there is nothing particularly technical or dangerous on this trail. It's just more strenuous. The most dangerous challenge that I encountered was a creek crossing near the end of the green loop that everyone has to ride. The crossing begins with a particularly steep downhill followed by a short level then another quick drop then it shoots through the creek. (I'd love to see others' comments about this crossing. While slick and muddy it looked dangerous. When dry, this should be alot more fun.) Other than this crossing I encountered two narrow wooden bridges and that was all. I'm not a technical rider so that's fine with me. I enjoyed the ride through all of the woods and along the ridges and finally getting to ride a new mountain bike trail. Hikers and horse riders are not permitted on this trail. There are very few roots, quite a few rocks that can easily be ridden around, and the trail is clear of all undergrowth. Some stretches are particularly fast. Watch for riders going the wrong way, though. The trail end is the first thing that you see from the parking lot - the trailhead is not as evident...remember to ride clockwise. This trail is going to become very popular - the park rangers have been told that they may need to increase the size of their parking lot before the Spring.

Similar Trail: This trail rides like Dillon and Great Seal. It is an entirely different ride than Alum Creek.