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Lebanon Hills Mountain Bike Trail
Eagan, Minnesota
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
10 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 9/13/08 by Danmonson |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 8 miles | Global Rank: #388 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 50 | Wishlist: 9 |
| Avg. Speed: 9.11 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 2min |
Directions:
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Description: Plain and simple: This trail has developed into the best trail in the Metro. MORC has taken the initiative in working with Dakota County to turn a really marginal doubletrack XC ski loop into the best riding in the Metro.
In 2002 we added a new beginner (warm-up) loop directly out of the parking lot. It heads off from the southwest corner of the parking lot and wanders through the pine trees and grass fields of the north end of the park. Look for a new double expert loop to open up sometime early 2003!
The rest of the trail loop starts at the same place, but heads up the gravel doubletrack. After a good climb and some rolling descents there is new singletrack heading off to the left. This dives into existing trail removing a few hundred yards of wide open field riding.
This singletrack is really fun. It's fast, it's smooth, and it's winding. There's a good mix of everything... trees, rocks, roots.
Where the old 'new' singletrack used to end and rejoin the XC ski trail, there is brand new singletrack that heads out straight across the doubletrack. This is one of the best areas of the entire park. It's wide open rolling singletrack. Once you get an idea of what the corners are like, you can really fly. This is a great intermediate singletrack section that would be fun for people of varied abilities.
At the end of this new singletrack section you hop back onto the gravel doubletrack and start immediately into a new bypass climb. This climb last about a quarter of a mile. This bypass replaced the real steep gravel climbs that are now closed and being re-claimed due to erosion.
The next section you come to is the expert/advanced singletrack. The trail is still really fun, but not nearly as insane as it used to be. There's still one log crossing in there that's steep enough that it gouges your big chainring despite lifting your wheels as you ride over it.
The advanced singletrack section is much tighter than the rest of the singletrack at Lebanon, and has quite a few rock sections. The rocks are a ton of fun, and really well situated.
Where the advanced singletrack section ends, you hang a right on some dirt doubletrack and head for the tree line. Just before you go into the trees, there's a new section heading off to the left. This new section replaces some older eroding XC ski trail. We did a lot of work to seed old trails back into nature last year and hope everyone enjoys the new routes that have been created. This last section is really a ton of fun as it has some fast winding descents.
When you finish this, you're on the home stretch. Head back to the parking lot on double track, and start another lap.
added in 2003 by guest
Description: Plain and simple: This trail has developed into the best trail in the Metro. MORC has taken the initiative in working with Dakota County to turn a really marginal doubletrack XC ski loop into the best riding in the Metro.
In 2002 we added a new beginner (warm-up) loop directly out of the parking lot. It heads off from the southwest corner of the parking lot and wanders through the pine trees and grass fields of the north end of the park. Look for a new double expert loop to open up sometime early 2003!
The rest of the trail loop starts at the same place, but heads up the gravel doubletrack. After a good climb and some rolling descents there is new singletrack heading off to the left. This dives into existing trail removing a few hundred yards of wide open field riding.
This singletrack is really fun. It's fast, it's smooth, and it's winding. There's a good mix of everything... trees, rocks, roots.
Where the old 'new' singletrack used to end and rejoin the XC ski trail, there is brand new singletrack that heads out straight across the doubletrack. This is one of the best areas of the entire park. It's wide open rolling singletrack. Once you get an idea of what the corners are like, you can really fly. This is a great intermediate singletrack section that would be fun for people of varied abilities.
At the end of this new singletrack section you hop back onto the gravel doubletrack and start immediately into a new bypass climb. This climb last about a quarter of a mile. This bypass replaced the real steep gravel climbs that are now closed and being re-claimed due to erosion.
The next section you come to is the expert/advanced singletrack. The trail is still really fun, but not nearly as insane as it used to be. There's still one log crossing in there that's steep enough that it gouges your big chainring despite lifting your wheels as you ride over it.
The advanced singletrack section is much tighter than the rest of the singletrack at Lebanon, and has quite a few rock sections. The rocks are a ton of fun, and really well situated.
Where the advanced singletrack section ends, you hang a right on some dirt doubletrack and head for the tree line. Just before you go into the trees, there's a new section heading off to the left. This new section replaces some older eroding XC ski trail. We did a lot of work to seed old trails back into nature last year and hope everyone enjoys the new routes that have been created. This last section is really a ton of fun as it has some fast winding descents.
When you finish this, you're on the home stretch. Head back to the parking lot on double track, and start another lap.
added in 2003 by guest 
NEARBY TRAILS
- Terrace Oaks East Park in Burnsville (2.5 miles away)
- Murphy Hanrehan in Savage (8.8 miles away)
- Bloomington Ferry Trail in Bloomington (9.8 miles away)
- Battlecreek Park in St. Paul (14.2 miles away)
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by mnetz on July 31, 2010
Honestly, my new favorite trail! Rode it for the first time today and am in love!
reviewed by roachman on July 28, 2010
Best trail in MN. Great rock sections, a few drops and jumps, well built single track! If you live anywhere close make te trip, its worth it, i drive an hour each way atleast once a week to go here.
Similar Trail: Memorial Park in Redwing
reviewed by kingerik on May 16, 2010
Great singletrack throughout - the trail is now 100% singletrack. Several integrated loops of varying difficulty, with more coming all the time. I must give kudos to MORC for doing such a great job with these trails. Bottom line: a must ride in MN. If you're coming through the area or making a trip to MN, make sure to bring your fat tires, and we'll give you some great rides.
Similar Trail: Theo Wirth, Murphy Hanrehan
reviewed by Danmonson on September 13, 2008
This is a very addictive trail. Right when you leave you will be wanting to go back. Lots of difficult parts to test your technical skills. Towards the end there is a pretty fun part that winds you downhill through the woods. Lots of banked turns in this area that allow you to carry speed really well. Definately hit this place up. Overall best trail in the metro area in my opinion.
reviewed by Krid on August 13, 2008
Awesome trail! The new section of the More Difficult trail is AMAZING.
reviewed by Dan_Borgos on June 10, 2008
Excellent 'flagship' trail of the Twin cities metro area. The trail is now completely singletrack and includes a XX loop as well as the the X and beginner/intermediate sections.
Similar Trail: Murphy, Battle Creek
reviewed by aaronschueller on February 21, 2006
Semi smooth with constant cornering through semi-dense forest with occasional rocks and some fun obstacles and alternate trail options to avoid those obstacles. Parking lot gates close when wet (save those trails!!).
Similar Trail: Battle creek
reviewed by bethz21 on September 1, 2005
This is a great trail to ride in minnesota. I enjoy it because you never feel like you are pushing uphill for a length of time. Lebannon Hills has somthing to ride for all abilities.
Similar Trail: Minnesota River Bottoms, Bloomington
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