LHORBA Beginner Ride

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

This 5-mile ride features the easier trails close to the day-use area to provide an introduction to the Yellow Creek mountain biking trail system. The day-use area also provides restrooms, showers, and picnic facilities along with the Park's beach and boat rental area.

This ride starts at the map kiosk located by a couple parking spaces between the two main day use parking loops. Some trails featured in this ride are relatively new and may not be shown on the current (x/20) version of the Park map and/or the kiosk map. An image of this area of the Park map is included with this listing.

The ride begins with one of the easiest trails in the Park; a mile-long section of the Paul Trail between the headwaters of Little Yellow Creek and PA 259. Start by riding the day-use road back towards the entrance. In the brush, just to the right of the gate is the trail entrance. This flowy level section of trail explores the headwaters, following the creek back to the day-use road near the bridge. When you reach the road, return to the kiosk.

At the kiosk, you'll cross over to the dirt road climbing the hill. But rather than following the road, continue along the brushline on the hillside above the parking area. The trail cuts into the woods over a small footbridge and begins a gentle climb on the mountain bike version of the Ridge Top Trail. Unfortunately, this is a duplicate naming that also applies to the multi-use trail in the same area, so check the mapping on the MTB Project mobile app if you are unsure of your location.

As you begin your climb, you'll cross another trail that drops to the pavilion to your right. Continue past this until you come to another trail crossing. Make a sharp left, exiting the MTB trail onto a multi-use one. The other end of Ridge Top MTB merges back into this just before crossing the dirt road that you saw before.

Cross the road and continue your gradual climb on the Simpson Trail until it crests and becomes more rolling terrain. You'll cross or encounter several other trails. The ride generally continues straight but check your app if you are unsure. After a couple stream crossings, you'll dump out onto Campground Road at the perimeter of the Park. The gravel road to your left is a private drive. Your ride will hook around to the right, through a Park gate and onto a grassy section of the road you crossed earlier.

As the road begins to climb, the singletrack "foundation" section of the trail drops into the brush on the right for a more level flowy section that will bring back to this road again on the other side of the hump.

Cross the grassy road and enter the "Blair Witch" section of the trail that slaloms tightly through the evergreens. As you round a curve to your left, exiting the evergreens, watch for an informal social trail on your right. This 20'+/- link connects you to another of the Park's multi-use trails. Follow it to your right back to the dirt road.

Make a left on the dirt road and follow it back down the hill to the kiosk.