[Roasted]

I was at Gretna 2 weeks ago and sadly trail 12 was closed due to trees being down. But I was curious - was anybody up there this weekend that could comment on whether or not trail 12 was still closed?

 

[barnold74]

Trail 12 is a foot travel only trail. New trail use rules went into effect earlier this year. Click here for the latest trail map.. Trail 15 was allowed to be built to due to the negotiations from the trail restrictions. I ask all to review the map and please avoid the foot travel only trails. Legal trails are in short supply and we need to protect them. Thanks!

 

[Roasted]

Trail 12 isn't a bike trail anymore?

*biting my lip*

Anyway... has it been cleared?

 

[barnold74]

No joke. Use it and risk loosing the entire place.
SAMBA has dedicated and still spends alot of time working with the land manager so that all riders can still enjoy the privilege of riding at Governor Dick. So I am asking riders to avoid the closed trails.

 

[Roasted]

I also noticed there were no bikes allowed on one of the trails on the back side of it. You see on the far left where trail 2 and 3 are? Well, they're kind of, sort of, the same trail for the most part, yet bikes aren't allowed on one yet they're allowed on the other. It doesn't make sense to me, and quite frankly, I'm not going to spend time trying to make sense of it - I just pick a trail and go.

 

[pspwesty]

I also noticed there were no bikes allowed on one of the trails on the back side of it. You see on the far left where trail 2 and 3 are? Well, they're kind of, sort of, the same trail for the most part, yet bikes aren't allowed on one yet they're allowed on the other. It doesn't make sense to me, and quite frankly, I'm not going to spend time trying to make sense of it - I just pick a trail and go.

You don't have to make sense of it. The only people it has to make any sense to is the land manager. They closed the trails, and that's it. At least use some common sense and don't admit to riding the trails on a public forum. Your attitude is offensive to those that work hard to maintain any open trails at GD. Realize that if you do get caught by the Ranger, or reported by any hikers/equestrians that you are risking the access of other MTB'ers to all trails in the park.

 

[LititzDude]

I also noticed there were no bikes allowed on one of the trails on the back side of it. You see on the far left where trail 2 and 3 are? Well, they're kind of, sort of, the same trail for the most part, yet bikes aren't allowed on one yet they're allowed on the other. It doesn't make sense to me, and quite frankly, I'm not going to spend time trying to make sense of it - I just pick a trail and go.

It's not the long hours volunteers spend building relationships or trails at various places so you can ride that is hard or difficult. The difficult thing is trying to understand people like you that just take with no regards for anything but yourself.

 

[Roasted]

Wow. Calm down here guys. I didn't think it was that serious of a thing that I was on a trail for 10 feet before realizing it was anti bike territory. I couldn't understand why 2 and 3 had different rules (bikes, no bikes, etc) until after I met up with the main stone trail that lead up to the tower. 3 goes straight ahead, and 3 doesn't allow bikes. Okay fine, so basically I was on trail 3 for a few feet when it was an anti bike trail. Or was I... since I WAS on trail 2 which allowed bikes... Not to mention, the marker for trail 12 was down when I went by for the first time this year when I saw it was closed. I had no clue trail 12 is (or ever was) anti bike territory.

So, please, calm the hell down. I was simply asking a question and had no idea that trail 12 was banned from bikers. It's upsetting to see that.

So, let's move the topic of conversation. Since Mt. Gretna has some weird trail rules, as obviously seen above, let's keep the bitter comments to an absolute minimal and generate some ideas of alternative places to ride other than Mt. Gretna. Trail 12 was the highlight of that place. Without it, I'm not all that interested in riding it.

Any ideas? That are... constructive?

EDIT - Has anybody been on trail 15? During further examination of the map, I'm wondering what trail 15 is like. Can anybody comment on it? Perhaps in comparison to how trail 12 is? It looks like it might add some time on the trail there, but that's a good thing in my opinion.

 

[Lugi]

I used to love trail 12 as well as most everyone on this forum had, but we all have had to made it work or not ride there. I personally take the following loop from the Pinch Road Parking area: 3(which as you can see runs parallel to 2 for a while) from the parking lot, to 2, to 8, to 1, to 4(Awesome downhill run), to 15 (Very technical and rocky but a blast, more technical than 12 by a mile), to 13, to 5, to 10 (Uphill climb that lasts forever), make a right back onto 2 for about 50 feet, then a quick right onto 9 (Another fun, fast downhill), to 5, to 6, and back to the car.
That loop has everything I could ever want and is just under 10 miles.

 

[Roasted]

I used to love trail 12 as well as most everyone on this forum had, but we all have had to made it work or not ride there. I personally take the following loop from the Pinch Road Parking area: 3(which as you can see runs parallel to 2 for a while) from the parking lot, to 2, to 8, to 1, to 4(Awesome downhill run), to 15 (Very technical and rocky but a blast, more technical than 12 by a mile), to 13, to 5, to 10 (Uphill climb that lasts forever), make a right back onto 2 for about 50 feet, then a quick right onto 9 (Another fun, fast downhill), to 5, to 6, and back to the car.
That loop has everything I could ever want and is just under 10 miles.

Hmm, so you say trail 15 is a pretty nice one then? It makes sense now because I googled for Governor Dick Trail Map before I went to Gretna this year and printed out a trail map. I came here and heard users talking about Gretna and one guy mentioned trail 15. I was like, what the... I had no trail 15 on my map. I even PMed him and have been checking my inbox every day to see if he got back to me in regard to where 15 was. Evidently I just had an old map... Never knew 15 existed.

I'll have to try that loop. When I first saw 15 was also available for horses to ride on, it made me a little nervous. Normally horse trails are pretty wide, flat, and open. If 15 has some slick curves, bumps, and rocks on it, I'd be a fan.

 

[moonraker]

No horses are permitted on 15 :thumbsup:

Yes it sucks that we lost trail 12 and some others, but the awesomeness of 15 makes up for it. I've ridden all over in my 15 years of mtn biking, and trail 15 is one of the best trails anywhere.

Shout out to The Duchess and Matt and everyone who helped clear and reopen trail 15 recently. Thank You! There was several large clusters of HUGE trees that fell from a tornado like storm, I was amazed seeing it firsthand.

 

[mtrostle]

Hmm, so you say trail 15 is a pretty nice one then? It makes sense now because I googled for Governor Dick Trail Map before I went to Gretna this year and printed out a trail map. I came here and heard users talking about Gretna and one guy mentioned trail 15. I was like, what the... I had no trail 15 on my map. I even PMed him and have been checking my inbox every day to see if he got back to me in regard to where 15 was. Evidently I just had an old map... Never knew 15 existed.

I'll have to try that loop. When I first saw 15 was also available for horses to ride on, it made me a little nervous. Normally horse trails are pretty wide, flat, and open. If 15 has some slick curves, bumps, and rocks on it, I'd be a fan.

15 is the shite!!! Very technical and will surprise you. Ride it in both directions because it's completely different. Sometimes I hate it and other times I'm grinning once I clear it!! You can still get a decent ride there with the change in trail access. You just have to be willing to explore a bit.

Look up SAMBA's website, they have an updated trail map. From what I've seen the last time there, the trails aren't marked well because someone removed the signs. I know it's on their agenda to get new signs in place.

I don't think anyone was hammering you for accidently riding trail 12. A lot of users make that mistake with the recent changes. It just puts the entire trail system in jeopardy. I think they were getting on you about the comment, "It doesn't make sense to me, and quite frankly, I'm not going to spend time trying to make sense of it - I just pick a trail and go." This is mtbr and the interdweeb, so comments can be taken out of context !! Flamefests are always around the corner in these fourms.

I honestly don't think it's proper to enforce the trail closures without correct signage, but I'm just a tourist there when passing through. I'm not in a position to tell them how to maintain their trail system. They work extremely hard, with the limited resources and uphill battle with the land managers. It is private land after all.

Seriously though, check out trail 15 and ride the loop as the others have suggested. Mt. Grenta is still a good place to ride.

 

[Roasted]

15 is the shite!!! Very technical and will surprise you. Ride it in both directions because it's completely different. Sometimes I hate it and other times I'm grinning once I clear it!! You can still get a decent ride there with the change in trail access. You just have to be willing to explore a bit.

Look up SAMBA's website, they have an updated trail map. From what I've seen the last time there, the trails aren't marked well because someone removed the signs. I know it's on their agenda to get new signs in place.

I don't think anyone was hammering you for accidently riding trail 12. A lot of users make that mistake with the recent changes. It just puts the entire trail system in jeopardy. I think they were getting on you about the comment, "It doesn't make sense to me, and quite frankly, I'm not going to spend time trying to make sense of it - I just pick a trail and go." This is mtbr and the interdweeb, so comments can be taken out of context !! Flamefests are always around the corner in these fourms.

I honestly don't think it's proper to enforce the trail closures without correct signage, but I'm just a tourist there when passing through. I'm not in a position to tell them how to maintain their trail system. They work extremely hard, with the limited resources and uphill battle with the land managers. It is private land after all.

Seriously though, check out trail 15 and ride the loop as the others have suggested. Mt. Grenta is still a good place to ride.

Well the only reason I "picked a trail and went for it" was because I could see the T in the distance of where I needed to go, so I just went for it since I was already hammering down the path. Later I realized (according to the map) that when I hit the Y, the left was no bikes, the right was bikes, yet each path was within baseball-throw's reach away from the T I was going to. At which point, both trails continued further down, yet like I said, once I hit the T I was already heading up the hill instead.

About 12 - there was no sign. I just happened to know it was 12 because of how many times I've ridden it before. I can only imagine the marker was taken down due to the trees being down, however, at the entrance where I entered 12 there was no sign saying it was closed. I didn't realize 12 was officially closed until I got to the other side, since there was a sign at the other side saying it was closed. I was like, oh, woops...

I'll definitely have to check out 15. If you guys say it's as good as it is, that's getting me kind of anxious. Plus considering how long it looks on the map... that's pretty nice...

 

[dietz31684]

I have a love/hate relationship with trail 15 as well....mostly love, but sometimes it just kicks my butt so bad.

 

[Roasted]

I have a love/hate relationship with trail 15 as well....mostly love, but sometimes it just kicks my butt so bad.

Is there a better way to go on 15? You guys say go both ways on it, but is there one way that's more uphill than downhill, etc?

 

[mtrostle]

map here:

http://www.sambabiker.com/attachments/045_Gv Dick 1 Jan 2010 (new tr designations).jpg

Coming from Trail 13 and heading west is a slow, gradual uphill ride, but doesn't start up hill till the end. At that point you're at the environmental center. From there you would ride uphill to get to the parking area on Pinch Road.

The trail changes elevations in either direction and it's nothing drastic. Just the trail features themselves that will keep you on your toes!!

 

[moonraker]

I usually hit #15 coming off the #4 downhill, which is killer! Go down 4 till you hit 15, turn right, then head up to possum lodge, turn around and ride the entire length of 15 from the start there, the first mile is more-so downhill from there. When you get the end of 15, take a left on 13, go to the end of 13 turn around and ride 13 and 15 the other direction. Just as good both directions!

 

[Lugi]

I like going from trail 4 direction the best.Seems to mostly downhill in that direction.
Been riding trail 15 for well over a year now, and have only made it through once without coming off the pedals(which is near impossible in my opinion). It is by far the most technical trail I have ever ridden, but is awesome!! Not to mention the little "play" areas that seem to pop up every time I ride it keep a smile on my face.

 

[Roasted]

Now I have a difficult decision to make.

My new fork and wheel come friday, which means it'll probably take a day for the LBS to install, which means saturday morning riding is out.

Do I ride saturday on current gear and get fork installed later in week, or do I get gear installed fri/sat, avoid riding this sat, and go next saturday with my buds...

 

[2004sahara]

Now I have a difficult decision to make.

My new fork and wheel come friday, which means it'll probably take a day for the LBS to install, which means saturday morning riding is out.

Do I ride saturday on current gear and get fork installed later in week, or do I get gear installed fri/sat, avoid riding this sat, and go next saturday with my buds...

uh its not that hard to install a fork or a wheel unbolt stem slide spacers off, disconnect front brake slide old fork out tap off crown race and install it on new fork...plenty of vids and tips on how to do it without special tools...save money and time...all this will take no more then ten min.