Loch Raven Conditions

[baltodeac]

Any Baltimorons been up there lately?

[riderx]

5/7/2005 report:
Saturday we did the Tour de Raven, circumnavigating the entire reservoir, including both the Seminary and Merryman's stuff as well as the stuff on the Loch Raven drive side. The trails are sweet as candy right now. A few new downed trees on Merryman's and after Sunday's high winds there might be a few more. Otherwise things are great.

[mgr.pain]

i'm goining to the loch this sat. morn.this will be my first time there i'm from avalon area does any one know where some of the good trails are.someone told me there's some, and the terrain is similer to patapsco avalon area ........

[bikerRob]

i'm goining to the loch this sat. morn.this will be my first time there i'm from avalon area does any one know where some of the good trails are.someone told me there's some, and the terrain is similer to patapsco avalon area ........

5/24/05 >> It's been years since I've ridden at Loch Raven and the map I have is very out-dated. That makes the info I have somewhat sketchy. Most people start from the Seminary Ave. trail head.

Directions: Take the beltway (695) and get off at the Dulaney Valley Rd. exit and head north on DV Rd. (the exit is just east of Towson)...If my memory serves me right you make a left on Seminary Ave (west) and park either on the shoulder or in the church parking lot on the right. From the parking lot: Cross over Dulaney Valley Rd. and you should see the trail head (should be well marked) just off of E. Seminary Ave.

Yes, the terrrain is similar to what you get at Avalon...maybe not as technical but fun nevertheless. There is a kiosk at the trailhead. If you're lucky, maybe some maps will be there, that was where I got mine. The map I have is of very poor quality. The map only shows "approved trails"...there in lies the problem. There are many off-shoot trails, at least the last time I rode there that was the way it was. (4 yrs ago..?) ..and there was no way to tell approved trails from the off-shoots.

You might want to shoot RiderX a PM for a little more info seeing he just rode the whole area just a short while ago. FYI...a great book for more info on rides around Baltimore is called Baltimore Trails by Bryan Mackay. All the Loch Raven trails are outlined in the book as well as bunches of other cool places to ride.

[clarkin]

I rode the Seminary loop last night and the trails are in primo shape, nice and tacky with only a few wet spots! Going to be perfect for the weekend!

[langer]

hmm...loch raven is being neglected with updates...
rode the seminary side today and trails were dry as a bone (as expected). get out there!

[bluronthetrails]

Its pretty sweet out there. Not too dry, just dry enough. You've got your damp spots, creeks, etc,. nothing too dry so far. But GET OUT THERE!!! The riding is AWESOME right now.

[Xterradork]

Just hit it today. Conditions were perfect (except if you don't like tons of leaves
all over the place). The leaves made it a little hard to see some rocks, logs, etc.
But overall it was a great ride.

[rmac]

I rode LR from Seminary on Sunday 12/18 - single track is a mix of slush, light mud, dry spots, & ice down the center of short sections, 100-200 yards at a time. It's ride.able, but a bit dicey on the icey spots. The fire roads looked more iced over, so I stuck to the s t.

I just got back from Merryman's (long lunch) - rode the east side from Warren rd at Phoenix - not bad. Some snow & ice on the fire road, but the single track was nice.

[humin]

Just rode it this past weekend and its in great shape. Some downed trees too high to clear and some spots still covered w/ leaves but otherwise awesome. Does anyone know of an online map of LRR? The place is huge and their must be tons and tons of trails to ride.

[rmac]

Loch Raven trails are all in great shape. Most logs have been cleared - too clear for my taste - or stacked. Typical of Loch Raven, most obstacles have an option to go around with in days of falling. I don't know of any offical maps of LR trails; all are on Baltimore City owned property & not fully documented. I've mapped the trails for friends & could fax or email to you if you want to post your fax or e address here or I think there's an option to just send me a message. I can give you all of Glen-Ellen (seminary loop), the Merrymans loop, & a loop that starts with the Seminary trails & goes around the lower section of the resevoir behind both dams & finishes on the trails behind the Cromwell Valley Parks back to Seminary (about 22 miles with 2 miles of road).

[Xterradork]

Update from last weekend (the 24th of June) prior to the huge amount of rain. Seminary trail was great. A couple of mildly muddy patches. Saw at least a dozen or so other riders out there. Logs are stacked nicely so they are pretty easy to clear. I'm sure right now it's a muddy swamp, but after it dries, well worth riding.

[Xterradork]

Did a walk through yesterday afternoon. Really messed up. Many of the steep climbs/drops have washed away most of the dirt exposing huge rocks/roots and deep cracks. One section of mud, sank to my calf. Would not recommend riding for a couple more days.

[imfastareyou]

rode the seminary and stuff over by the dam on Sat 7/8. the seminary singletrack is a real mess in spots, some thick deep mud holes and lots of new, BIG downed trees across the trail.

[rmac]

seminary loop - the small to mid sized trees have been cleared & the large downed trees have been detoured - thanks to everyone who did some maintenance. there are a few deep mud holes in spots, but the majority of the trail is drying out. there may also be a tree down here or there on some of the connector trails, but most are open.