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The faster, more open side of the North Sycamore Trail.


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Map Key

3.6

Miles

5.7

KM

Singletrack

854' 260 m

High

798' 243 m

Low

246' 75 m

Up

253' 77 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

16%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

When riding from Sycamore South back to the northern parking lot, cross the bridge over Beaver Creek on the Trestle to Trestle paved trail and then turn right (east) about 20 feet north of the bridge and make the steep drop down to the trail (There is an easier option by riding about 50 feet further north). The trail follows along the edge of Beaver Creek for about 1/3 mile before going under the bridge at Beaver Road.

After going under the bridge, the trail splits. Follow the trail to the right and stay adjacent to Beaver Creek. This section is fun as you dodge through the trees and pass over two narrow bridges. Make your way up a small hill with some broken asphalt chunks in it, then back down and through the trees again after turning north along the Des Moines River. There are some rolling up and down areas here and one old concrete mosaic porch you can jump if your skills are adequate.

Just after this section, the trail splits again and you can take the shortcut by going straight. The shortcut includes a huge log over with ramps on each side, or you can turn left and head through a very fun section of rollers and twisting tighter turns. Heading north, you'll come to an open section where the east side and west side trails share the trail. Ride through this and when the trail splits again, take the right trail down a fun sandy grade. This section is very fun with a few uphills and a small rocky drop. There are a few more trail splits, but if you always turn right you'll work your way back to the north parking lot.

Contacts

Shared By:

Gary Barber with improvements by Corey Philips

Trail Ratings

  3.6 from 9 votes

#19681

Overall
  3.6 from 9 votes
5 Star
11%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
56%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#165

in Iowa

#19,681

Overall
4 Views Last Month
570 Since Mar 22, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

38%
38%
25%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Scenic fall riding
Oct 26, 2019 near Johnston, IA
Lake Loop trail
Mar 24, 2015 near Johnston, IA
Sycamore North trail Johnston Iowa
Sep 26, 2020 near Johnston, IA
High ground near Top Shelf
Mar 22, 2015 near Johnston, IA
West from North parking lot.
Mar 22, 2015 near Johnston, IA
Small bridge
Mar 22, 2015 near Johnston, IA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 1, 2022
Darren Price
Trails are dry and in great condition.
May 7, 2022
Simon Duster
Dry and in good condition
May 8, 2021
Justin Maxfield
Jan 4, 2021
Philippe Meister
Jul 31, 2017
John Arick
Started at the house so rode a lot of asphalt trails to and from. 13.5mi
Apr 13, 2016
BFreeze Friestad
Lots of fun, it was a great day out. Trail was good, rode it backwards according to the site
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