MTB Project Logo

A south to north figure 8 loop on the Yellow Trail.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

7.3

Miles

11.7

KM

100%

Singletrack

1,744' 531 m

High

1,385' 422 m

Low

768' 234 m

Up

782' 238 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

The park is closed after dark except for winter night riding by special permit on Wednesday nights. Check in with the local shop The Bicycle Escape for details.

Overview

This is a great introductory loop to the area's technical riding. This trail is one of the quickest to dry out in the area. Several good overlooks along the trail. Except for the far northern part, most of the trail is close to the road providing an easy bail out if you are in over your head or experience a mechanical.

Expect relentless rock riding and occasional steep climbs.

Need to Know

  • Entrance into the park requires a $3-5 fee per vehicle or valid park pass. There is a self-issue payment box in the parking lot.
  • There are several breweries in town that make for the perfect post ride refreshment. Check out Il Forno Pizza on the way back to town for good pizza and beer options.

Description

The ride starts with a gut punch grunt up a rocky bit of singletrack for just under a half mile. You'll cross the road to continue north on the yellow blazed trail. At the intersection with the black trail, cross back over to the east side of the road to continue riding the yellow trail in the counterclockwise direction. Take a brief stop at the North Frederick overlook, then continue on the dual blazed yellow and black trail. Stay left at the split and continue on yellow as the trail points down and the number of rocks increase.

Yellow will hit a gravel a driveway, turn left and continue to follow the yellow blaze for a few dozen yards, then bear right back onto singletrack. Take your choice of optional lines to the top of the rocky knob and continue through thick mountain laurel and rock choked downhill.

After a short climb, you'll briefly exit the hardwood forest and swing left to climb a loose utility cut. This is the crossover point of the figure-8. Continue climbing and take a right on the second yellow blazed trail. You are now on the extended yellow loop riding in the clockwise direction. Climb the twisty loam (referred to as Drunken Sailor) and top out on a rocky spine before descending a series of rocky turns ending with a challenging rock garden.

Continue on yellow (note: there is a new spit for the Headless Hollow trail, bear right to stay on Yellow) and begin the longest descent of the loop, the fast and fun section known as Jedi. Tight mountain laurel and trees, chunky rocks and small hit options will keep you on your toes. At the bottom of the descent gear down and prepare for a long climb out of the hollow.

After the trail levels out you have a minute of recovery before intersecting the utility cut you were on earlier. Hang a right, climb to the intersection and make a left to begin the return south on the next rocky challenge. Cross the road and continue south on the west side of the ridge. You'll be rewarded with large boulders such as the Beached Whale that offer plenty of optional lines. The western side of the ridge generally flows slightly downhill and you'll be able to keep a good pace through this section as you bob and weave through the tight singletrack.

The rocky climb of Stegosaurus Rocks offers a chance to test your technically climbing skills. At the top, you'll intersect the black trail, turn right to stay on yellow and continue south working your way back to the parking lot with a variety of roots rocks and loose descents. Cross the road a final time and you'll be in the parking lot you started.

History & Background

Local MTB group MORE helps maintain the trails along with the hiking club PATC and the local trail shop The Trail House. Additional info at the official park web site.

Contacts

Shared By:

Joe Whitehair

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 24 votes

#732

Overall
  4.3 from 24 votes
5 Star
50%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#5

in Maryland

#732

Overall
40 Views Last Month
9,658 Since Mar 28, 2017
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
9%
5%
86%
0%

Photos

Biking Bad at Gambrill.
Dec 4, 2018 near Braddoc…, MD
JC commit and roll down
Dec 4, 2018 near Braddoc…, MD
Shredding the trails at Gambrill
Sep 3, 2019 near Myersville, MD
A rider cleans the Beached Whale in Gambrill State Park.
Mar 28, 2017 near Myersville, MD
A rider cruises through Gambrill State Park in route to Michaux State Forest.
Mar 28, 2017 near Braddoc…, MD
The IMBA Trail Care Crew joins us at Gambrill State Park!
Mar 28, 2017 near Braddoc…, MD
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Stewarded By

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.