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Through the trees, in and out of the ravines, the long way around the Star Field you go.


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Map Key

3.0

Miles

4.9

KM

Singletrack

1,251' 381 m

High

1,116' 340 m

Low

300' 91 m

Up

300' 91 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Closed when wet. For trail updates, check the website: whiterockconservancy.org/

Bikes and hikers only. Rider fee ($5/day) payable at multiple self-serve stations. Camping and other activities available.

Description

This trail starts off the Little Dipper and finishes on the other side of the Little Dipper. Use this trail to connect to Shooting Star Trail or to make a quick loop around the Star Field. This trail is plenty fun in both directions, but might be just be a bit better when riding counter-clockwise.

When starting on the east side of Little Dipper, take a right onto Big Dipper and follow it down into a switchback followed by a creek crossing. After crossing the creek, start climbing back into the trees and follow the trail in and out of the ravines. After the first few ravines, the descending starts to pick up.

Almost half way through, you'll descend a sandy section with some exposure and then cross another stream. Begin climbing slightly into a quick push up a 50-yard steeper section, before you get a break through the flats. At this point, you'll come to the intersection with Shooting Star Trail.

Take Shooting Star Trail at this point if you would like to link up with the other trails like Riverside Trail and Bobcat.

To continue on Big Dipper and head back towards Star Field, take a left and go up the switchback. Continue sweeping through the trees, riding in and out of the ravines, descending and climbing along the way. You'll then run into a T intersection with Little Dipper. Take a right to get back to the shower house at Star Field or take a left to have a bit more fun and ride Little Dipper back around the Star Field, bringing you back to the shower house with just a bit more riding.

This trail is fun ridden in either direction, and is a great addition to the other trails at the Conservancy.

Big Dipper was completed in 2015 by Singletrack Trails Inc.

Contacts

Land Manager: Whiterock Conservancy

Shared By:

Aaron Cholewa

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 5 votes

#7141

Overall
  4.6 from 5 votes
5 Star
80%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#66

in Iowa

#7,141

Overall
1 Views Last Month
797 Since Apr 26, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Dipper Trail, Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapid, IA
<br>
Photo Credit Greg Mazu, Rider Ryan Steele
<br>
Singletracktrails.com
May 27, 2016 near Coon Ra…, IA
Whiterock Conservancy trails
Sep 26, 2020 near Coon Ra…, IA
Big Dipper, Whiterock Conservancy
<br>
Photo: Greg Mazu
<br>
Riders: James Flatten, Aaron Cholewa, Stephan Adams
May 27, 2016 near Coon Ra…, IA
Smooth curves through the trees in Iowa!
Apr 25, 2016 near Coon Ra…, IA
Big Dipper, at the creek
May 22, 2016 near Coon Ra…, IA

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Nov 8, 2021
Brian Dilger
Beautiful place to ride in west central IA. Nice campground.
Jun 24, 2021
Justin Maxfield
Apr 17, 2021
Thao Larson
Sep 20, 2020
Patrick Jensen
Sep 5, 2020
Joshua Winkelmann
Aug 2, 2020
Tim Andersen
Rode this again after riding for 3 days in a row at Whiterock, fun trail with lots of good connecting flows. 4.2mi — 1h 00m
Aug 1, 2020
Tim Andersen
Rode with 11yo son, terrain too difficult for my 8yo daughter. Started raining on our way back.Canopy kept trail dry, but slick on switchbacks & turns 4.2mi — 2h 00m
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