Deerfield Lake Loop #40L

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Views

There are several access points to this trail. This route is mapped from the Gold Run Trailhead (no restroom) off of Deerfield Road, which was free at the time of this writing. It would also be easy to access this trail from Mountain City Picnic Area, the Whitetail Campground, the Lakeshore Picnic Area, the North Short Trailhead (the path from the trailhead to the lake loop trail was faint to non-existent), or the Custer Trail Campground, all of which require a day fee (some have restrooms).

Make sure to stop by the Mt Meadow Store and Campground for snacks/beer to go or a post ride meal and beer on their patio.

This trail has a little bit of everything; steeper climbing/descending intervals in a nice forest to start, some rolling singletrack through the NW corner of the reservoir with nice views across the lake, some riding through open plains, a nice climb up from the dam (bring a fishing pole!) on an old roadbed, and a moderately chunky downhill finish. Kind of a mini epic for only being 12 miles long.

This trail is rated blue/black for somewhat frequent short/steep/loose uphills and some rocky features at the end, although most of the trail is pretty smooth.

Expect to see almost no one outside of the developed areas. It was easy to follow permanent signs in the few places where there were turns, etc. There were some cows to deal with on the SE part of the trail. Happy trails!