2019 Big Woods Epic Back Country Only Ride (50 Miles)

Race - Oct 12, 2019

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Commonly Bikepacked · Drops/Jumps · Views

This route starts at the Group Camp Parking Lot, but you can also park at the Park office or Nature Center. The route uses back country trails in Yellowwood State Forest, Hoosier National Forest, and Monroe Reservoir.

This route goes through areas that are open to hunting and some trails are shared with horses.

This is a short option for riders who want to ride all the back country trails on the Epic Core Route. Riders can park at the Main Park Office, The Limekiln trailhead, or the Nature Center. Riders start with a few miles of pavement to recover as they head through the campgrounds towards 10 O'Clock Line. This trail is shared with horses and is a wide doubletrack. Please stop completely and ask for direction if you encounter horse riders. Next us it the Crooked Creek Trail in Yellowwood State Forest. This is a rocky ad rooty expert level trail. This trail can be skipped by using Miller Ridge and taking a doubletrack down to the lake. Riders can start heading back to the park at this point, but the 75 mile route continues South. This section of the rider goes deep into the Back County and uses double tracks and rugged singletrack trails. Trail D will bring riders back to Crooked Creek Lake, where they can again skip the Crooked Creek Trail or follow the official route and ride the South Side of the rugged Crooked Creek trail. The route heads back into the State Park.

Some of the old road beds used where once roads that lead to towns flooded in the creation of the Monroe Reservoir.