Trail is
Avg Rating:   |
52 trail reviews |
Difficulty:  - Intermediate |
|
| Length: 10 miles | Global Rank: #319 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 149 | Wishlist: 66 |
| 46 trail check-ins |
Climb // Descend +1,600 // -1,200 feet |
| Average Speed: 8.5 mph | Average Time: 1hr 18min |
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Description
The trail consists of approximately 7 miles of varied terrain including technical single track. Most of the trail winds through old phosphate mine land therefore the trail has a good mix of terrain. The most unique aspect of the carter park trail is the narrow single track through mine "spoil piles". Hours are approximately 8 to 8.
limescott40 on June 7, 2013
Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve (95%)
Santos (45%)
San Felasco Hammock Preserve (25%)
Markham Park (20%)
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Description
The trail consists of approximately 7 miles of varied terrain including technical single track. Most of the trail winds through old phosphate mine land therefore the trail has a good mix of terrain. The most unique aspect of the carter park trail is the narrow single track through mine "spoil piles". Hours are approximately 8 to 8.
added by stripes 
on December 31, 2002
on December 31, 2002Mountain Bike Trails in the Loyce E. Harpe Park (carter Road) Trail System
- Rollercoaster (
- Advanced )
Trail Reviews [Add a review]
limescott40 on June 7, 2013
1 out of 1 readers found this useful
Review: Ok, I just got back from my first time on this trail, yes most of the trails are "sick", but I must say the rangers group may want to label the trails a little better, tried the easy trails to get a feel, kept getting onto the expert trails, which for a first timer MTB kicked my butt! Need better signage, please, Thanks
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Review: Trail is ridin' fast. New video of Cruddy Buddy, Baby Beast and Horseshoe.
Review: I ride this trail system at least twice a week and it never gets old, actually gets a little more fun each time to tell you the truth. The trails are in excellent shape right now, so come on out and shred them!!
Review: This is my favorite spot in FL. Intense climbs followed up with sweet downhill and tons of speed. The fingers are sick and trail is always in great shape.
Similar Trail: Balm Boyette
Similar Trail: Balm Boyette
Review: Great trails! Overall it all flows together nicely although there are some areas that could use additional or improved signage. But that aside, this trail is a blast. Just be aware that all but the last trails are "in and out". Roller Coaster and the Blue trail next to it are ride throughs to the return trails back to the trail head.
Will definitely ride again and with no entrance fee...will likely ride often.
Similar Trail: Alafia & Balm Boyette
Will definitely ride again and with no entrance fee...will likely ride often.
Similar Trail: Alafia & Balm Boyette
Review: This was my first experience riding a trail. I have to say it was a lot of fun, but some beginner areas were more difficult than I thought they would be. Made it through with no injuries, great place for all ranges of experience. I will definitely be going there often.
Review: First time there today.
Pros:
Close to everything (offSR37), including WalMart (1/4 mile away) and Home Depot (In case you need tools).
Trails flow together nicely and are marked well.
Lot's of great views and challenges. I love the edge riding. Lot's of steep ups and downs. If you ride Boyette and Alafia, it's not that far away. Give it a try.
A really beautiful area.
Cons:
Trash, even 20' away from a placed can. Even the streams had tires in it. Sad to see the locals don't care about their area.
Lot's of roots (wife's not a root fan) and soft sand at (imo) the wrong places (face planted at a stupid easy corner as I turned to go up trail :-p ).
One wooden structure abandoned on it's side, at the beginning of one trail.
I did 2 hours of riding and enjoyed it. I wish my camera hadn't decided to die then, as I would have loved to have taken pics. I hope to convince my wife to come out once, if anything for the vews!
Similar Trail: Balm Boyette, Alafia.
Similar Trail: Balm Boyette, Alafia.
Review: This was my first trip to these trails. Just getting back into mountain bike riding after what was probably an 18 year lay-off. I stuck to mostly the Yellow trails to start with, but found them enjoyable with a good number of challenges. Especially for a fully Rigid Bike.
Review: Had a great ride today on all the trails out at Carter Road... The trails were nice and dry and really fast today...
Review: Rode there today on my lunch break. There was a few big broken limbs on the trails. Besides that the rest was good.
Review: Rode out there today 08-12-12 and a lot of the trails were good, but under some of the shaded area were some muddy wet spots... And the Ridge Riders were out there doing some work on the fingers repairing some of the boarded areas and triming up the trails as well...
Review: I love this place. Great trails and ridge riders seem to really keep them in great shape. Has something for everyone and the facilities are great too
Review: All I can say is SWAMP take some lessons on trail maintenance from Ridge Riders at Carter Park. The Ridge Riders have completely transformed this park to a fast technical nail biter trail system. Too bad poor Alifia can't get some TLC like Carter has received
Review: Rode these trails this past Saturday 07-21-12 and they were all in great shape. A little mud at the start of the trail head, but the rest was good.
Review: Great trail system that has plenty of ups and downs to test your skill level.
Similar Trail: Alafia MTB trails
Similar Trail: Alafia MTB trails
Review: Quality trail, well marked. Shady and good balance of beginner/intermediate/expert trails.
Similar Trail: Alafia
Similar Trail: Alafia
Review: love this trail system! not very long, but plenty of different type of trails for all kinds of skill levels. tight twisty single track and very technical sections, but lots of fun stuff in between. The Ridge riders keep this place well maintained.
Similar Trail: alafia river state park
Similar Trail: alafia river state park
Review: sweet trail with some really tough single track. big red and roller coaster are sick. big red is a must. sneaky snake is awesome too. i see gators along the shore every time i go.. big ones too. fun place to ride. wednesday is wacky "ride the trail in reverse. thats fun too.
Similar Trail: alafia
Similar Trail: alafia
Review: Nice flow, great view! Recommend for all level riders.
Review: Great system of trails! This kind of my home trail, and it holds its own against Alafia, Balm Boyette, and Santos. If you can ride some of the hardest parts on these trails, you should be able to ride just about everything in Florida. There is everything from very calm yellow trails through fields to red trails that have some nail-biter sections. Most (or all) of the reds have some parts where you could pretty easily fall 10-20 feet to the water on either side of the peninsulas. They have quite a bit of some steep hills. The blues are also a lot of fun, quite a few technical spots with some quick up and down parts. One of my favorite things at this place is that most of the reds are out-and-back which allow you to ride them while your family/friends can wait a couple minutes and you'll be able to meet right back up with them. This makes it a great place for anyone. I also love that all the trails are directional. The only thing negative I could say is that as opposed to Santos or Alafia, is that Carter Road is a little bit shorter (quantity of the trails--4 stars, quality of the trails--5 stars). One other thing that really gets on my nerves is that you need to watch out because there is almost always people fishing and walking right on the trail.
* Review edited 5/3/2012
Similar Trail: Santos, Balm Boyette and Alafia
* Review edited 5/3/2012
Similar Trail: Santos, Balm Boyette and Alafia
Review: Nice trail. Very nice scenery. As most good trails go this one has a bit of everything. If you stick to the yellow areas you can ride easily as an intermediate and learn without too much danger as a beginner. If you ride the red areas you will be challenged even if you are a good rider. The trails are narrow and pretty. There is a little bit of climbing on the red areas. Some of the climbs are very steep albeit short. Really neat design with a lot of critters moving about. Snakes, Gators, Tortoises. You see a lot out there. Many riders which really surprised me for a Thursday afternoon with a 100+ degree heat index. Very dry well drained. Sandy in some areas.
Hats off to the Ridge Riders who keep the trails up and provide the map and markings for the trail. The trails were pretty well marked and although there are areas that have a little trash here and there from other users it was a very pretty area and very well kept.
Similar Trail: ?? First FLA trail.
Similar Trail: ?? First FLA trail.
Review: I was extremely impressed with this set of trails. Although the length was not long overall, the advanced trails were extremely challenging. Nice ledges and beautiful views.
Review: I ride this trail almost everyday. I havent been seeing all the trash everyones been talking about, maybe some here and there but nothing major. A little work is needed here and there where some of the trails are being eroded down. However as of about 3 days ago I could tell where the ridge riders had been in and moved a lot of dirt around fixing up some rough spots. Overall its a great trail, lots of varying and challenging terrain (especially the fingers) with some great scenary as well.
* Review edited 11/7/2010
* Review edited 11/7/2010
Review: I rode this trail with a friend on Sept. 6th, 2010 and was a bit disappointed. The yellows and blues are decent for very short sections. Just when you get going and get in a zone, that trail ends and you have to search for the next one. Many of the reds are washed out and in need of some work to make them even worth riding. If you like to get a sweat going and put in a workout, then stick to the blues and some yellows that get you around this trail system. The reds are not worth the time unless they make some improvements.
I saw another review say that this was every bit as good as Alafia if not better and that could not be further from the truth. Alafia and Balm Boyette are very nice and flow smooth throughout and will be the only trails I visit in the future when I decide to ride in that area.
Similar Trail: If you're riding in this area....I recommend skipping Carter Rd. and going to Alafia or Balm Boyette.
Similar Trail: If you're riding in this area....I recommend skipping Carter Rd. and going to Alafia or Balm Boyette.
Review: Rode here today and this was a great place to ride. I agree with most of the other reviews of this trail so I won't restate what others have said except that I wish the first mile or two was marked better, because it is easy to get lost on the first time out. Nice locals on the trail to help out though. Only did the yellow and some of the blue trails. Great place for a beginner to go looking to improve their riding.
* Review edited 5/8/2010
* Review edited 5/8/2010
Review: The directions above are incorrect. FROM TAMPA, take I-4 to exit 27, the Polk Parkway (SR-570), toll road. Follow 570 East to exit 7, S. Florida Ave (CR-37). Go South on 37 for about 4 miles. Turn left (East) onto Carter Rd by Taco Bell / Wal-Mart. Park is 1/2 mi. on right. FROM ORLANDO, take I-4 to exit 41, Polk Parkway (SR-570) toll road. Follow 570 West 17 miles (3 toll plazas) to exit 7, S. Florida Ave (CR-37). Go South on 37 for about 4 miles. Turn left (East) onto Carter Rd by Taco Bell / Wal-Mart. Park is 1/2 mi. on right.
Similar Trail: Santos, Econ, Reddick
Similar Trail: Santos, Econ, Reddick
Review: This is in the back section of the big Polk County Loyce Harpe baseball/soccer complex. We just rode it for the first time today. My 9 yr old on his new Specialized 24" and my 3 1/2 yr old riding on the back of my bike. We hit mostly yellow (easy) trails and some blue (intermediate). Five minutes into the ride we were lost in a big field of jeep trails... eventually we found some hikers who pointed us to the "Horseshoe" and that's where the fun began. Lots of whoop-de-doos, roots, switchbacks etc. Each hairy section seems to be followed by a couple minutes of easy trail gliding before another rough patch begins. I think we only hit about half the network before sundown. While some parts were unnerving for me with a 40lb kid over the back wheel, both kids loved it! Can't wait to go back again on my FS with no back-seat passenger!
Similar Trail: Santos (Belleview), Soldier Creek (Winter Spgs)
Similar Trail: Santos (Belleview), Soldier Creek (Winter Spgs)
Review: I rode Carter Rd. for the first time today, and I was definitely impressed. I had read other reviews of people complaining how it looked "ghetto", but I honestly encountered nothing like that. The trails are fun, twisty, and fast in sections. A lot of the trails offer an excellent technical challenge. Ridgeriders MTB club does a very good job making sure the trail markers are in place, and it is pretty easy to follow. There are definitely some hairy spots, as a lot of the trails run along ridges with serious drop-offs on both sides. BE CAREFUL HERE! All in all, the parking area is spacious, there is a bike wash area, and I definitely give Carter Rd. a big thumbs up.
Similar Trail: Alafia River, Boyette
Similar Trail: Alafia River, Boyette
Review: Great variety of terrain and technical challenges. There are some super-challenging trails that are narrowly wood-lined with errosion walls. Can be rough on your bike if you aren't skillful & ready. Overall great! The only negative would be the tideness and upkeep of the trails, which isn't too good. (trash, etc.)
Review: Fingers are nice technical challenges. Some of the steepest descents and drops available on a trail in Florida. Prefer the slightly more varied Alafia and Santos, and the ridge line at Boyette, but Carter Road is my fourth favorite FL park.
* Review edited 5/2/2010
* Review edited 5/2/2010
Review: still love this trail!!! lots of progress in the last few years. best when it is dry. a good mix of everything.
if you are in central florida, do not miss this trail. and yes, watch out for the fishermen.
Similar Trail: alafia
Similar Trail: alafia
Review: This trail is designed as a race course. All trails are one way single track. Trails range from fast, tight trails through wooded area to high narrow ridges extending out into the surrounding lake. Any section of the trail considered to be too technical can be bypassed. I don't recommend this trail for beginners because most trails have fairly technical terrain. Trails are well marked and difficulty ratings are accurate. Don't miss Finger 1 and Finger 3. On my most recent trip August 29, 2009 some flat portions of the trail were muddy and sneaky snake seemed to have been tamed down some. This is my favorite trail to ride in Florida, I cannot get enough of the fingers.
Similar Trail: Alafia River State Park
Similar Trail: Alafia River State Park
Review: New rider here, I started up at Santos, then I rode this place twice, and round 1 I felt completely outta my league, round 2, still really tough but of course still fun. For a newbie it feels pretty technical almost all the time so I never seemed to get a chance to recover my flow once I lost it.
Similar Trail: Alafia so they say...
Similar Trail: Alafia so they say...
Review: This trail has a lot to offer everyone....easy to very difficult......up & down hills and sugar sand in spots.....along the water (where the GATORS lay in wait for their next meal) ....lol.....rode this trail a few times and I know I have missed a few trails....maybe next time.
Similar Trail: Alafia River MTB park
Similar Trail: Alafia River MTB park
Review: Awesome trail with something for everyone. If it's not long enough, ride it again...duh.
* Review edited 4/11/2009
Similar Trail: Alafia, Boyette, & Santos.
* Review edited 4/11/2009
Similar Trail: Alafia, Boyette, & Santos.
Review: Loyce Harpe Park
Trail Description Loyce Harpe Park (formerly Carter Road) Trail is approximately 10 miles in length. The trail is built on old phosphate land offering something for everyone from beginners to advanced riders. The trail meanders around scenic lakes up and down ridges with numerous wildlife encounters. Watch out for the notorious 14 foot gator known to the locals as "Big Mamma".
Review: Not bad! Sweet singletrack trail with something for everyone!
Similar Trail: Too many to post, but Alafia & Santos are the bomb!
Similar Trail: Too many to post, but Alafia & Santos are the bomb!
Review: This is a great little trail for this area. The technical single trak in the mine spoils near all the water was awsome. I loved all the fast tight single trak. Just missing long fun downhills - and no grueling uphills either. But this trail was a lot more fun than i anticiapted.
Similar Trail: you tell me...i am looking for more in central florida. i am a mtn boy looking for more riding down here.
Similar Trail: you tell me...i am looking for more in central florida. i am a mtn boy looking for more riding down here.
Review: short ride super challening wish it was longer great ride after work
Review: This trail is a great "after work" ride. The system flows nicely. The trails are tight in sections. There is something for every level of rider here. There are dirt (vehicle) roads that can be a bypass for difficult sections. The park has come along way over the years. Those that remember the unkept Carter should give it another chance. I did & I don't regret it. This has descent singletrack & some technical challenges, which is a God send. Beware of careless fishermen in the trail. This is a good park for the family. Has a nice playground area for the kids & well kept dog park. Thanks to all that the Ridge Riders & others for continuing to be progressive with this park. * Review edited 12/20/2010
* Review edited 12/20/2010
Similar Trail: Alafia, Markum Park, Oleta River, Ft. Clinch or Santos - depending where you are in the state.
* Review edited 12/20/2010
Similar Trail: Alafia, Markum Park, Oleta River, Ft. Clinch or Santos - depending where you are in the state.
Review: People have been working hard on the trails recently and alot of improvment on sections that didn't flow quite right. A great place to ride. Blood really gets pumping on the ridges or near the gators. Challenging
Review: Its Ok....I ride Alafia Religiously and wanted a change, but I wasn't impressed. Trails are a not marked well and need lots of maintenance. This park has a lot of potential, but with no one there working the trails its a lost cause. I would recommend Alafia without a doubt.
Similar Trail: Alafia
Similar Trail: Alafia
Review: Lots of changes. Now known as Loyce Harpe park. Local police are very active at keeping atv's and 4X4 trucks off trails. New signs thanks to local boyscouts. All bridges have been repaired. The trail is flowing better than ever right now and attracting lot of new riders. If you have not been there in a while you are missing a great, much improved trail.
Review: overall the trails are in good shape a very dyverse trail however i ride this trail almost every weekend trails need some attension like at the beggning of sneeke snake and toward the end of big mommas house other than that ahsome trails .
Similar Trail: allafia
Similar Trail: allafia
Review: Not being an "expert", I enjoy riding at Carter road for a good quick cardio workout. I can't stay on my bike through some of the more technical parts, but keep a steady pace and carry my bike through the sections I can't ride. The sand in parts is annoying, but for the most part the trail is maintained very well and has a nice flow to it. As someone mentioned, the more difficult parts can be skipped for a more constant ride.
Similar Trail: Have been to Alafia, Croom, Morris, they were all different than this one but all were fun.
Similar Trail: Have been to Alafia, Croom, Morris, they were all different than this one but all were fun.
Review: Well worth the ride. Also it is not terribly unorganized nowadays. Everything these guys say about the 30 foot falls are a bit exaggerated. I would say on the Rollercoaster, Beast, and The Moe you could fall and slide down a ridge for about 20 to 25 feet. But most of the other fingers also have decent falls into the lakes. My advice to anyone who goes out here is to ride off the sand cliffs. It looks terrifying, but its worth it!
Similar Trail: Still haven\'t found one.
Similar Trail: Still haven\'t found one.
Review: A real mixed bag. The trail network is basically a series of small loops (they call them fingers) that run along ridges with different levels of difficulty. Not too much easy stuff at Carter. Most of the riding is made up of off-camber rooted and rutted trail that is very challenging. A few newer sections offer very technical drops. Overall, very challenging and a little unorganized (but getting better) worth a look.
For more information, pictures, maps, etc. see: www.outdoortravels.com
Similar Trail: Alafia State Park, Reddick/Razorback
Similar Trail: Alafia State Park, Reddick/Razorback
Review: Fun trail, especially if you do it at high speed. Not as good as Reddick or Hard Rock because of lack of sustained ups and long downs. However, your heart and legs will pump going up and down the rollercoaster ride of roots and ridges. You can bybass some of the harder "fingers" (everything is oneway) if your skills are not there yet.
Similar Trail: Hard Rock
Similar Trail: Hard Rock
Review: this trail is not as good as i expected but fun...the trails in gainesville are much better and varied than this. also-i wouldn't say the drops are 30ft. they are more like 10-15ft. and highway 37 is south florida ave. while 98 is not the same road. alas, i did like the park but would not rate it very high.
Similar Trail: i would recommend the powerline trails in gainesville, but go with someone who know the area because the best parts are hard to find and getting lost is easy.
Similar Trail: i would recommend the powerline trails in gainesville, but go with someone who know the area because the best parts are hard to find and getting lost is easy.
Review: The trail has alot down and up single track. With names of the section such as, the Beast, the RollerCoaster( you feel like your on a coaster ). It is like your not even in Florida. There is great jumps and downhill section. Some parts of the trail are only about 18 inches wide, while you look over the side and the water is about 30 feet below. Keep in mine this an old phosphate mine. Some of the track is on top of 30 foot dirt piles all packed down hard.
Review: This trail starts out pretty easy except for some deep sand, but it quickly turns into a wicked balancing act on some nice ridges that run along the small lakes. These ridges are trail width at best and drop off 8-10 feet on both sides into the water. They have roots on the ridges too, making it really interesting.
Similar Trail: This is the only S. Fl. trail I've done, although I'd imagine there are some other trails in the Lakeland area that provide a similar experience. I do reccommend the Razorback MTB Park in Reddick, FL, although I have yet to do a review on it yet.
Similar Trail: This is the only S. Fl. trail I've done, although I'd imagine there are some other trails in the Lakeland area that provide a similar experience. I do reccommend the Razorback MTB Park in Reddick, FL, although I have yet to do a review on it yet.
Review: BEWARE! of car thieves! After my ride I came upon 4 teens attempting to steal my 2003 truck from the parking area at the trailhead. DON'T park at the trailhead, park over by the park office! Otherwise this was a decent ride for central FLA the drops to the water ARE 10-30 ft and the trails ARE 18 inches wide. Have fun, but be careful!
Recommendations
Alafia River State Park (100%)Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve (95%)
Santos (45%)
San Felasco Hammock Preserve (25%)
Markham Park (20%)
Tags
alternative-alafia bridges carter loyce trail road rooty sandy treesFlorida Outdoor Lists
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