Forest Hills

Forest Hills

	Forest Hills
Location:	Mississippi
Nearest Town:	Jackson
Directions to Trailhead:
Trail Description:
Trail Length:	miles
Trail Type:	Unknown
Skill Level:	Unknown
Submitted By:

Jamie from Jackson Date: March 14, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Just like every one else: 55 south, exit Savannah, drive till you see the park Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Holy Crap! I'm still fairly inexperienced to mountian biking, but I had a friggin' blast at Forrest Hills today! The track itself was pretty muddy (which I'm somewhat accustomed to, since before I found FH I did mostly illegal riding along a certian river). I'm too heavy to be a really competative rider, but I still enjoy riding. Though I did feel lost at times, as per the advice on this forum I kept on riding and, sure enough, got spit out right were I put in.	Overall Rating:

Rich from Vicksburg Date: April 27, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I also ride the trail regularly and have NEVER had a problem with anyone there. The trail does have some problems, mostly with the ATV's damaging the trail, but safety has never been a concern when riding here. The park is very crowded during the summer with all the ball games and the police patrol the park regularly.	Overall Rating:

Cary from Jackson, MS Date: April 15, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Lakeland--TCMBA Annual or one day membership(available at the bike shops) required.
Review: I would like to disagree with Adam's review of this trail on 2 points: 1) While not the best, South Jackson is not one of the worst sections of Jackson. I have ridden at Forest Hill many, many times and have never had a "problem" with the locals. About the only other people you ever see on the trails are occasional walkers/dog walkers, and of course ATVs, which technically aren't allowed but many of the surrounding neighborhoods back up to the trails and this part of town has many ATV enthusiasts that frustratingly cause a lot of mudholes and trail damage. Only the hopelessly afraid should be scared to ride alone on this trail at any time of day or night. In the summertime there are usually many baseball/softball games in the park with plenty of people around. 2) Although these trails often go a few months (usually during the winter) without much maintenance, there are a few people (including myself) who have devoted long hours to the maintenance of this trail. It is such a well used trail that it usually only requires trimming vegetation a couple of times a year, cutting out the occasionally fallen trees, picking up limbs, and draining mudholes caused by the ATVs. In fact I drained several mudholes last week in preparation for a race and many others also helped in other ways of getting the trail back in shape. I think you will find that the trail is a lot better than a few weeks ago, but there is no way for us to continually repair all of the damage done by ATVs on a trail that can be notorious for the amount and consistency of mud.	Overall Rating:

Adam from Ridgeland, Mississippi Date: March 30, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: I-55, take the Savannah street exit. Take Savanah street (turns into McClure st., I think) west until you see Baseball Fields on your right. Turn in and go all the way to the back. Once at the Trailhead, left trail is pretty good as it first takes you to this half-bowl with some really steep inclines. Other recommended trails in the same area: For a more advanced ride, go to Little Colarado.
Review: Watch out for ATV'ers. Also watch out for the locals. This is in South Jackson, one of the worst parts of town. Like someone else said, never ride alone, or at night. The trails are virtually unmaintained. I also have never seen a map. Don't worry about getting lost as all of the trails connect to eachother. There is a distinct loop, but there are ALOT of side trails that connect back to it. Bottom Line: Good trail for beginners, can be somewhat technically challenging if you take it fast enough.	Overall Rating:

Rob from BSL MS Date: December 6, 2001 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Every which way. It's just a bunch of interconnecting loops. Go get lost and have fun, you'll eventually get back to the car. Other recommended trails in the same area: Homochitto, aka Clear Springs -- best in the area (4 stars). Bethel Trails, Desoto N.F. near Biloxi (3 stars). Chickasawbogue, Mobile (3 stars).
Review: About 10-15 miles of good singletrack, some dusty powerline crossings, a few wet'n'muddy spots. Lots of very small (10') non-technical ups and downs -- they're not quite hills. Mostly in shady woods. No real sand problems. I've raced it a dozen times or so, and the bottom line is it's a good local trail and a fun race course.	Overall Rating:

Kevin from Cordova, TN Date: July 14, 2001 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: 55S to Savanah street exit. Take this road for about 3 or so miles and the park is on the left..very easy to find. The trail head is right in front of the second black iron gate. The entrance is the first iron gate. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Like the trail but it's approaching the "almost need full suspension" status. Very bumpy and fast...hardly any hills, but somehow, most of the trail is downhill. A good time is two laps in the low 40's.	Overall Rating:

wsgts from Brandon, MS, USA Date: April 23, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Take Savannah street exit off of I-55 South. Take a right in toward Jackson, Forest Hills Park is about 5 miles on the right. Go past the baseball fields and to the back of the park, and you will see the bigger trail entrances. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This is great trail for beginners through advanced. Even for beginner with in-expensive Wal-Mart bike shouldn't have too much trouble. If you can ride a bike, you shouldn't have any difficulty. Most of the trails are marked with trail flags from a previous race. Lots of great shade so not too hot on sunny days, but very humid as this area of Mississippi is. Lots of fun for a large group. Bring lots of water, and as always a helmet, and some sunglasses to keep treelimbs out of your eyes.	Overall Rating:

Rich from Vicksburg, MS Date: April 2, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Take any of the trailheads to the left as you drive into the park. The trails loops back into itself many times, you can make it as long or as short as you want. Other recommended trails in the same area: Go to clear springs or lincoln parish park for a better, more challenging ride.
Review: This trail is not technically demanding. It is a good trail for someone who has never ridden mtb before. I took a friend who had never ridden before, she was on a old rigid p.o.s. and made it through the entire trail easily. This area has a huge problem with moto's and atv's tearing up the trail. Once you cross the powerlines, narrow ruts up to 3ft deep in the middle of the trail are common. The trail is very muddy after rains. Not much maintenance is done here.	Overall Rating:

DrSam from Jackson, MS USA Date: November 8, 2000 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Take I-20 to I-55 south (toward New Orleans). Head west on Savannah, which is the third exit. Go past Terry Road and keep heading west. Not sure about exact distance, but I'd estimate it is about 3 or 4 miles maybe from the interstate. You will see a park on your right with baseball fields, etc. On the far side (west) of the park there is a driveway entrance. You will have to park here at the start of the entrance, because there is a gate blocking vehicle access to the rest of the park (don't ask me why...this is Jackson, and lots of crap makes no sense here!). Anyway get on your bike and head toward the back of the park. You will see numerous trail entrances into the woods (unless you are blind or something, in which case you are an extreme hardcore MTB'er in my opinion.) Enjoy Other recommended trails in the same area: Little Colorado, Pear River stuff.
Review: My new favorite trail in Jackson! Have ridden it only 2-3 times, but had lot's of fun every time. Not muddy and full of mosquitoes like the trails on the Pearl River, not full of ruts from erosion and motorcycles like Little Colorado. Some would say that it is not technical enough. To each his own. I like this trail best. It provides some challenge, fair amount of excitement, without being a nasty struggle. Just my 2 cents, but I like this trail. Keep in mind, I am not a professional rider, and you will never see me on the ESPN x-games. I am 32, a bit overweight and ride for personel enjoyment, not to impress anyone or pose or whatever. If you are a DH/speedfreak/insane extremist, etc...you will probably find this boring. If you are an average joe looking for a nice couple hours of single track, with light duty obstacles, some fun dips/jumps, etc...check this out. BTW, I saw no evidence of any gang activity or anything when I was out there. I did see several other bikers, most of which seemed like friendly gen x-ers and yuppies on mid-range mountain bikes. This is South Jackson however, so I'd take nothing for granted.	Overall Rating:

Rompo from Houston, TX Date: October 26, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Little Colorado is the first place I ever rode off road. I went with Scott Key. I'll never forget that ride.
Review: This trail is really fast. That's what Disco says-- but then he's fast and I'm slow, so I wouldn't know. I have crashed many times at Forest Hill. There was the time I tried to jump those big hills at the front of the park and I just ended up on my side with dirt in my mouth. I destroyed my shin after a race once, and had to go to the hospital. I used to try to ride down the steps on the grand-stands near the softball fields, too. Those were the days. I got seventh in a race once because I had just returned from Colorado, and the air was so thick and full of oxygen I felt like superman. Good ol'e Forest Hill... I raced there with Rasta-man dreadlocks, and sang Frank Sinatra... I was wierd. I don't crash as much any more, and it's not as much fun.	Overall Rating:

Swoop from Jackson, MS Date: July 10, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: you should ask @ the Bike Rack on Lakeland. I can't begin to tell you. I can't remember the roads but just know how to get there...sorry :( Other recommended trails in the same area: Little CO
Review: Great trail for the beginner. Still good for the Intermediate. Advanced stick to LC on Lakeland unless racing. There are winding trails with limited hills and valleys the ruts are only at one entrance. Most all trails connect. Speed can be 20mph+ for Intermediate on these trails. This is a very good ride. Only two issues: 1) people from the neighborhood like to walk on it w/their dogs on the weekends; 2) gang signs on the light poles about 1.5 miles in from the back entrance. I have never had any problems(and hope I don't) but I never ride alone like @ LC.	Overall Rating: