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Lowndes County State Park Mountain Bike Trail
Columbus, Mississippi
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
2 trail reviews |
| Status: |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 4 miles | Global Rank: #1077 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 5 | Wishlist: 4 |
Directions:
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Description: If you start the trail from the dam at the far end of the State Park (farthest you can drive after passing through the gate), you ride across the grass dam and up into some logging area. There's a small sign that directs you to the "hiker's trail," and it starts with a pretty steep single track with wooden steps built in. After that, the first half of the 3.6 mile loop is mostly single track, and even though the gate guard said maintenance hadn't been out there this season yet, it was in pretty good condition. There are some bridges built in across most of the brooks, and the riding is moderately easy, with some ups and downs and some tricky sections. After that, the trail starts to open up into a wider, double-track(ish) kind of route that is a lot hillier, with some good ups and downs. At the very end of the trail, it dumps you out onto some horse trails, so be prepared for some loose sand and mud if there's been any rain. There are a couple of places where you can turn right or left, and I always went left, which brought me back to the entry gate of the state park. From there its about a mile and a half on the roads of the park to get back to where you parked your truck/car. It's a pretty quick ride, but as there doesn't seem to be many good trails around here, its a nice little afternoon 30 minute ride. There was really only one place where a tree made me "bushwhack," and that wasn't bad at all. Very pleased!
Description: If you start the trail from the dam at the far end of the State Park (farthest you can drive after passing through the gate), you ride across the grass dam and up into some logging area. There's a small sign that directs you to the "hiker's trail," and it starts with a pretty steep single track with wooden steps built in. After that, the first half of the 3.6 mile loop is mostly single track, and even though the gate guard said maintenance hadn't been out there this season yet, it was in pretty good condition. There are some bridges built in across most of the brooks, and the riding is moderately easy, with some ups and downs and some tricky sections. After that, the trail starts to open up into a wider, double-track(ish) kind of route that is a lot hillier, with some good ups and downs. At the very end of the trail, it dumps you out onto some horse trails, so be prepared for some loose sand and mud if there's been any rain. There are a couple of places where you can turn right or left, and I always went left, which brought me back to the entry gate of the state park. From there its about a mile and a half on the roads of the park to get back to where you parked your truck/car. It's a pretty quick ride, but as there doesn't seem to be many good trails around here, its a nice little afternoon 30 minute ride. There was really only one place where a tree made me "bushwhack," and that wasn't bad at all. Very pleased!
added on July 2, 2006 by 
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by caveman2009 on August 12, 2010
Allow me to clarify a bit of what my fore-goers have said. IT IS IMPERITIVE YOU FOLLOW THE "HIKERS ONLY" TRAIL!!! Otherwise you'll be on a ridiculously hilly, sandy double track route that ends up in a jungle-esque area of mississippi (redundant, i know). there will be no bridges over streams and you will spend more time walking over impossible obstacles than riding. ultimately, the trail will just peter out and you'll be hella lost. i ended up running into a guy who lives near the park's property line and he told me that people get lost back there all the time. I'll probably go back and try the "Hikers Only" Trail, but i know i'll never try the other one again. UPDATE: I went back to ride the "hikers only" trail, and it was actually a good ride. a few times, i had to get off to get around some impassible obstacles (i.e. giant trees across the path, collapesed bridges, etc.). I went the day after a heavy rain, and there was a ton of mud, especially towards the end when the trail merges with the equestrian trail and heads up the hill (when you're already pretty tired). a few places, the trails intersect, but they're pretty well labeled, so getting lost isn't an issue. lots of stairs, but even more roots. maybe not deserving of a "black" rating. this was a much better experience than the last time i tried riding out there, i was just way muddier!* Review edited 9/2/2010
* Review edited 9/2/2010
reviewed by WipeoutDave on November 9, 2009
This would be a great trail if Mississippi ever had a dry season. If you hit it at the right time, the lake is very striking at sunset. Hiking paths/singletrack for most of the trail, giving way to equistrian trails near the end. The hiking paths make for great switchbacks and quick descents. Not the best maintained trail though, and several sections are consistently so muddy that it's impossible to ride through. Bring a towel.
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