Started at the West Turtle Rock TH, went clockwise around the loop. Crossed onto Valley Massif Cut-off, to get to Valley Massif trail. Went both ways on Valley Massif, but the trail petered out, and couldn't follow it. (This is a warning on the map, but both directions just vanished.)
Came back to continue clockwise on Turtle Rock Loop. Then went NE on Damn Trail, to 700DA road, to Impalement Tr. Up Devil's Slide Tr. Devils' slide is a "black", but the trail itself was pretty smooth, just some good climbs. Connected to Skeleton Tr, going NW. Finally came back SE on the easy Cow Trail, through the river meadow. Then back to Impalement/Damn. Then completed the Turtle Rock loop back to the west TH.
It's all pretty rideable, except some sections of the Turtle Rock loop.
You MUST take a map, and even then you will not be able to follow all the trails right away. Download one from Pedal House in Laramie.
I strongly suggest you call Pedal House to get trail recommendations before you ride; wish we had. But, still was a good ride.

32 minutes ago

Here is my recent race report on Salidas Big Friggin Loop. if you like these super fun endurance races, this is just for you. My report - http://gimmearaise.blogspot.jp/2013/06/salidas-big-friggin-loop.html Neil

50 minutes ago

Nice job on this blog! I used to ride with a couple friends that started out just enjoying being on the trail and having an adventure. Eventually, that turned into rides that were more of a hammer session to get...

2 hours ago

Rode these trails back in 2010 when I went to Sea Otter. This was my first time ever out of the southeast. Loved these trails. Not used to being out in the open a lot while trail riding. Lots of smooth, fast areas. Wide open, beautiful views. It seemed like the trails went on forever all over the place. Completely different riding experience for me. I will definitely go back if I can ever get back over to that area!

3 hours ago

Also playing into this is the fact that most high-altitude rides are also far removed from civilization. So not only do you need to prepare for the altitude, but you need to be prepared for the wilderness as well.

3 hours ago

"Old Emerald Falls Trail" - not to be confused with "Old Emerald Trail"! Both are steep single tracks and both meet up at the bottom, on Emerald Canyon. Old Emerald Falls Trail flowy single track that also has some rock sections, both bedrock, and loose rock as well as dirt and sand areas. Some of the dirt parts have some nice berms/corners. Unlike Old Emerald Trail, which is up/down, Old Emerald Falls Trail descends into a meadow which it meanders through until it reaches the end.

4 hours ago

Thanks for the additional info. Fortunately HAPE and HACE are very rare at any altitude in the continental US. AMS is rather common, but as you say, usually goes away on its own.

4 hours ago

Great video...Loved it...Truly a great rider!

5 hours ago

Traveling through the midwest, I took the time to ride this trail last Friday 6/14. So glad I did. It is long, very pretty ST, which meanders its way through remote, beautiful Eastern Hardwood Forest. We rode CW from the Berryman CG.

The western portion is fast and flowy and is in excellent condition. It is worthy of the high acclaims this trail receives.

The eastern portion is more technical with small root and rock drops. This portion has great potential, but there are some stretches where the trail is deeply rutted and needs rerouted. The ruts are full of rough cobblestone-sized rock. With a little more trail maintenance this eastern portion has great potential to be a really nice moderately techy ride. It would make a nice contrast to the smoother flowy western portion. Together, due to the contrast (given some further rerouting), this could be 5 star XC route without question.

All in all this is a great midwest ride. There are many nice DHs and all the climbs are relatively easy. Some climbs are long, which was nice, but none are steep. The signage is a little light and the mile markers are few and difficult to spot, but one incurs no real difficulty following the trail.

The Berryman Trail Campground is charming and beautiful. The Brazil Creek CG is a bit beat up. If you are staying the night, stay at the Berryman Creek CG for sure.

The ticks and bugs were out in force for the summer, and of course it was humid. But the constant callings at night of the whip-poor-wills, the chuck-will's-widows and the owls made the summer stay more than worth it. For riding, this is definitely a better fall-winter-spring trail -- no ticks, no bugs, no humidity. I will return someday.

6 hours ago

Don't get me wrong, I probably won't be any less of a gear whore, but it is far from why I ride. The A.S.S. has a great point...I hear people use their bikes as an excuse and it really does...

7 hours ago