Briar Patch (3 miles): Well shaded trail that snakes and twists through a region thick with trees. Tree roots lay exposed across the trail with tree trunks growing right up to the single track trail to dodge as you pass. There are slight climbs and descends.

South Bethel (5 miles): On this trail there is no longer thick shady tree cover as with Briar Patch. The trail snakes through the patchy forest with sun beating down on you. There are few trees near the single track trail to dodge past. Not as many tree roots to negotiate as Briar Patch.  Occasional sand traps.

Bethel (4.6 miles): Similar to South Bethel with occasional sections of overgrowth encroaching into the trail to dodge and plow through. The trail goes through an area recovering from a past forest fire. Occasional sand traps.

Rattlesnake (3.8 miles): Often the most poorly maintained section of trail with overgrowth encroaching into the trail; duck your head down and plow through. Some sand traps that can soak up your energy likes sponges and the most (although gentle) climbs and descends in Desota.

Lost (8 miles): Similar to Rattlesnake but cleared of annoying overgrowth. Some sand traps and slight climbs and descends. More tree cover and shade than Rattlesnake and Bethel.

Badlands (9 miles): The name is misleading for this rather tame, fairly shady, very flat and uneventful trail that pretty much parallels the gravel access road.

A year later I found myself headed back to the area on business and knew my bike would have to make the 1000 mile journey with me!

This trail system is extremely fun and offers something for just about everyone. Not alot of elevation gain/descent to be had here (but what do you expect from an area along the Gulf Coast?) but what it lacks in elevation it makes up for with other fun stuff. Tight single track along the Couch and Briar portions, and a combination of single/single and a half over Badlands. Watch your bar-ends in some sections of Couch/Briar. There is enough variation along the trail to keep things interesting: slippery roots, loose sand, tight turns, wet spots (after a rain,) and the sweet smell of pine filling the air. Great scenery and a fair chance of spotting armadillos and lots of cool birdlife along the way.

There was only one true uphill section at the end of Couch, and watch out for the roots there or else they'll make you lose steam and end up walking up. There was a few occasions on this part where I ended up hopping off the bike and going back down to the bottom, only to tackle it on the second attempt! That's just my stubborness though.

This is a great trail for riders of all skill levels as nothing is too technical to pose to much of a challenge for any rider with basic skills. I would consider myself an average rider, and it never winded me or knocked me out. For the advanced riders I am sure you could crank up the speed a notch and have a good time on these trails as well. Tight twisty singletrack when combined with blistering speed is a fun thing.

As a previous reviewer stated, bring plenty of water as it it can get extremely muggy in the summer months. There is no water source at the trails, so if you don't bring it with you you will be in a world of hurt.

There is however a bathroom at the trailhead, so that is a plus.

I would give these trails an overall rating of 4, however due to the fact that this was the trail to re-introduced me back into the fold, I will give them a 5 and be content with that rating. An excellent way to spend the day.

Many thanks to those who keep these trails clear!