The Lost Trail

The Lost Trail

	The Lost Trail
Location:	Mississippi
Nearest Town:	Biloxi
Directions to Trailhead:	From I10 take the Keesler AFB/ Biloxi exit north. You'll be on Old Hwy 67, stay on this road for about 2 miles. Turn right at the first large intersection onto State Hwy 15. Head north for about 12 miles look for a sign on the left hand side of the road that says Bethel Bicycle Trail. Turn onto this road and go 1.5 miles the trailhead and parking area are on the right.
Trail Description:	The Lost Trail is part of a 40 mile loop in the Desoto National Forest. Lost is the fastest and most diverse of this loop. Lost isn't too technical but knowing how to ride over downed trees and through sand are a must. Warning-This trail is open to hunters and closed to bikers during deer gun season ( Nov.22-Dec.19 I think call the ranger for info). The trails are open to bikers on Sundays during this time.
Trail Length:	7.5 miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Submitted By:	Casey

Rob from Bay St. Louis Date: December 7, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: All of the other Bethel bike trails.
Review: The Lost Trail is only one of the trails in the Bethel bike trail network in Desoto N.F. It's in pretty good shape now (fall '02) after extensive work by the GCBC, and is an OK trail with a few hills and fast sections through pine woods. But with only 6 miles, it ain't the whole story! The rest of the Bethel trails are reviewed at http://www.mtbr.com/trails/Mississippi/BethelRoadTrails.html	Overall Rating:

Alain from Biloxi Date: June 12, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Lost Trail. Start from the old trailhead and ride it down toward East Badlands. Other recommended trails in the same area: Couch, Briapatch, Badlands Extension (a 12 mile loop). Fun either direction, and always changing with conditions.
Review: This trail does have a lot of sandy patches, and it does have to put up with Motorbikes. However, I think it is a pretty decent, fun trail to ride. Not as fun or challenging as the Couch or Briarpatch, but fun. Fast in places, with one downhill section of fairly closly spaced stairsteps. A lot of sandtraps, but manageable if you pay attention to setting up your bike (at least, my Sugar responds well to tire pressure adjustments). Definitly do not ride it from East Badlands up toward the old trailhead--this trail does indeed suck going that way.	Overall Rating:

Chris from Biloxi Date: June 25, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: This is for part of Badlands trail. Start at the first big trailhead on the left. The one that leads to the couch. Take a left where it splits into the couch, briarpatch, and badlands. Other recommended trails in the same area: couch
Review: Narrow trail with plenty of vegitaton and packed sand. The only thing that I liked about this trail was a few small down hills. As far as I can tell they are the only decents in the area. If anyone knows of any other downhill please write.	Overall Rating:

Chris from Biloxi Date: June 12, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: couch, briar patch, and badlands
Review: I have not ridden all the trails in the DeSoto Forest area, but so far the lost trail is by far the worst. 6 miles of sand. If you want to ride in this area, head down the couch, briar patch, or Badlands. Out of the 6 miles of trail there is only about 300 yrds of decent riding.	Overall Rating:

Di Anna from Gulfport Date: March 29, 2000 Trail Ridden: Please Select
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area: Couch, Briar Patch
Review: The Lost Trail is definately not the best trail within the 40 mile network of trails located in the Desoto. It is a multi-use trail shared by MTB's and Moto-Cross, the later of which contibutes to the poor conditions of the trail. (SAND!!!!!!) The Gulf Coast Bucycle Club is doing a lot of work to improve other trails inthe same network, such as Couch, Badlands, & Briar Patch and hopes to host a race late summer. So, if the idea of washing out in sand every 5 min. is not your cup of tea, then give the others a try!	Overall Rating:

Richard from Gulfport Date: December 31, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Follow the directions in the trail description. For a printable map, visit www/thewheelhouse.com and click on the trails button. Other recommended trails in the same area: There is a little known trail in Waveland right on HWY 90. Park at the Taco Bell on the west end of town and ride your bike down the shoulder of the road about 50-75 yards. Look for the small gap in the trees and take off. The trail is tight and fll of 10-12ft ditches. Its not long but it's very technical.
Review: All of the trails are open. The lost trail is still the most popular and is in excellent condition. We are currently working on the couch trail and exploring the possibility of moving the trail head there. Trail maintainence was recently done on the Briar Patch trail and it is in great shape as well. We are currently riding on Sundays only as no hunting is allowed on Sundays in the wildlife management area. We are constantly in search of volunteers to assist with trail maintainence. Work days are the first Sunday of each month and will pick back up after the New Year. (make sure someone records any labor hours for the forestry service)	Overall Rating:

Casey from Ocean Springs Date: February 4, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: None thanks to the U.S.F.S. Other recommended trails in the same area: Chicksabogue, Oak Mountain. My rating below is for the U.S.F.S. tatics not the trails.(It would be lower if allowed)
Review: Mike's exactly right the U.S. Forest Service is holding all the local trails hostage in a thinly veiled grab for more money. The Forest Sevice claimed the trails were hazardous from debris left by Hurricane Georges. They closed the trails without even giving the local bike club advanced notice. The trails may open sometime in the future after the Forest Service hires a private contractor to survey the trails for possible hazards(hazards are what make mtbing fun). But this was B.S. anyway I've ridden these trails for two years and they were clear as ever-Thanks G.C. Bike Club.	Overall Rating:

Mike from Saucier Date: January 22, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: US Forestry service SUCKS! Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This entire trail system is being closed down for ploitical BS. The forestry service decided they want to scam more money in hurrican relief, so they manufactured this story about how bad the trails are to get money to fix them (our club already spent many hours getting them in great riding shape). They claim it's a liabilty hazzard to have them open with some limbs down on the trails. What BS!! If any of these dickheads (sorry) cared about the sport, things would be different. These trails are basically in my backyard, and now they will be ticketing riders for many months! When it's open I give the whole trail system a 4 star rating. If it had better scenery and some downhills, it would get a 5.	Overall Rating:

DOC from OCEAN SPRINGS MS Date: December 31, 1998 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: LOST TRAIL IS CLOSING. HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER TRAIL OPEN. COUCH TRAIL. Other recommended trails in the same area: CHICKASABOGUE PARK IN MOBILE AL
Review: COUCH TRAIL IS GOOD SINGLETRACK ABOUT 6 MILES IN LENGTH. LOCATED IN THE SAME AREA AS LOST TRAIL. SAME CONDITIONS AS LOST TRAIL. CONTACT WHEELHOUSE IN BILOXI FOR MORE INFO. GULF COAST BIKE CLUB.	Overall Rating: