Recommended Laurel Hill Loop?

[Dirt]

Hey People.

I'm curious about what loops are being ridden when you go to LH. Looking at the map, I'm tempted to just make mostly right turns at intersections and see what happens. Start with Giles Meadow, then get on the CCT and head toward Workhouse Trail (Purple).

When getting on Workhouse, make a right and start the loop in that direction.

Make a right onto Slaughterhouse Loop. When I get back to Workhouse, continue in the direction I was going (It looks like it might be a road section.

When I get to Dairy Barn loop (green), make a right onto that trail. Follow that around till it meets up with the Pasture loop. (Yellow).

Go (you guessed it) right onto the pasture loop. Follow it until I get to Power Station Loop (Blue). That returns back to Pasture. Turn right and keep going.

Cross over Furnace road and ride the Apple Orchard loop. Cut back across Furnace Road to the Pasture Loop. Turn Right.

That links back up to the Dairy Barn Loop. I can turn Right there.

That leads back to the Workhouse Loop again. Turn Right and finish that loop off.

Take the CCT back to the parking lot.

That seems to hit everything out there except for a small section of the green loop that appears to be road.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_mkxTK_Bq4tg/STBTBLO5ovI/AAAAAAAAAik/Z1JLUkOVDCE/s720/LaurelHillMap%5B1%5D.jpg

Does that make sense?

Pete

[toonces]

Everything is getting well ridden there. Your plan will work out fine. The only parts you'll miss are a nice part of Purple to the left of one of the dairy barns and two short sections of Green, one road and one a flowy section back down to where it connects with yellow just out from the woods.

I prefer the Slaughterhouse loop going counter clockwise. Enter at the far side of the skills play area. I also prefer Powerstation going counter clockwise.

[Dirt]

Everything is getting well ridden there. Your plan will work out fine. The only parts you'll miss are a nice part of Purple to the left of one of the dairy barns and two short sections of Green, one road and one a flowy section back down to where it connects with yellow just out from the woods.

I prefer the Slaughterhouse loop going counter clockwise. Enter at the far side of the skills play area. I also prefer Powerstation going counter clockwise.
Sounds like maybe a predominantly left turn ride is called for. :D I can do that. :D

Thanks for the tips.

Pete

[Dr Phil mmkay]

No Power Station loop, Pete? That loop is one of the highlights of LH. I prefer Power Station, Slaughterhouse, and Giles counterclockwise. I think Workhouse is better counterclockwise as well, I'm not too sure, I just know from the CCT coming towards the Slaughterhouse, it's very pump-track-y and lots of fun.:thumbsup:

For Dairy Barn (or Homeless shelter, ask I call it) loop, I always manage to get it backwards, which isn't as fun because it's a long gradual climb up if you head in the wrong way. I also think Pasture is better clockwise but there's not a lot of elevation change on that loop to make it really matter, directionally.

I haven't been on the Apple Orchard loop, can someone fill me in on what that loop is like? It looks pretty tech from the map. Are there any significant markers to note where you come into the loop?

I think mark_w put together a run at LH that's not too shabby, where you hit all the trails in the proper direction without missing anything except for Apple Orchard.

[Dirt]

Thanks Dr.P.U.K.

Yup. Powerstation loop is on my list. I'll need to get my crayolas out to draw on my map to make sure I hit things in the right direction.

I'll let you know about the apple orchard loop when I'm done riding it. Looks to be kinda fun.

Thanks!

Pete

[toonces]

Sounds like maybe a predominantly left turn ride is called for.

Not even close.

Let's see. Left out of the parking lot to the Giles Meadow Trail. Left on the CCT. Left off of the CCT to connect to Purple. Right on Purple. Right on the gravel road to Slaughterhouse. Left at the Slaughterhouse. Right after Slaughterhouse. Right onto Green. Right onto Yellow. Right onto Blue (Powerstation). Right back onto Yellow Right on the connector to Red. Right on Red. Right on the connector back to Yellow. Right on Yellow. Right on Green. Cross road. Right on purple. Right to connect back to the CCT. Right on CCT.

That's 4 lefts and 16 rights. :D

[mkurle]

Hey Dr. Phil -- is mark_w's ride posted anywhere? GPS data or otherwise? I have only been to Laurel hill once about a month ago, and did the Giles Run loop twice and the Red Loop (name?) once. Had to go through a GNARLY patch of brambles to get from Giles to Red. Other than that, it was a lot of fun, but I want to check out all of the other loops and do them in the right direction, if possible.

[toonces]

I haven't been on the Apple Orchard loop, can someone fill me in on what that loop is like?

It's a 2-mile flowing mixture of woods and open trail similar to the Purple and Yellow.

Take the flagged connecting trail from the far side of Yellow through the grass up to Furnace Rd and cross over. Head towards the house and the trail is on your left off the driveway. I think there is a park sign now.

[Dirt]

Okay... Revised loop, then I need to get back to studying.

Giles Meadow CCW

First half of Workhouse CCW

Slaughterhouse CCW

Dairy Barn Loop ??? Dr. Phil said he always does it the wrong way, but didn't specify which way that was. :D My inclination was to do it CCW because that leads us into doing Pasture CW and lets us double-dip on the swoopy section of Dairy Barn.

Pasture loop CW

Orchard Loop ??? No-one has any info on that yet. I'll flip a coin when I get to it.

More on Pasture loop CW

Power Station Loop CCW

Finish out Pasture loop CW

Dairy Barn Loop CCW (thus the coubling up on the swoopy section)

Workhouse Loop CCW

CCT to the car.

Basically that really only differs from my original loop by switching up the direction of Giles Run Meadow and Pasture Loop.

The jury is still out on the Dairy Barn Loop.

Thanks!

Pete

[toonces]

It's all good whichever way you ride it. Enjoy.:D

[dan_hudson]

I'm surprised to read folks like PowerStation counterclockwise. Just so we're all on the same page, this means doing the logride on the way in instead of the way out. Can folks express in just a few words why?

[toonces]

I'm surprised to read folks like PowerStation counterclockwise. Just so we're all on the same page, this means doing the logride on the way in instead of the way out. Can folks express in just a few words why?

Silly me. :confused: I meant clockwise for Powerstation. :bangshead:

On another note. The hobo camp in the woods behind the dairy barn has been removed.

[Dirt]

I'm surprised to read folks like PowerStation counterclockwise. Just so we're all on the same page, this means doing the logride on the way in instead of the way out. Can folks express in just a few words why?
I'll let you know in a day or two. I'll make a point to ride it both ways. (Imagine Craig2 making some kind of off color remark here. Give him red dots for it. He deserves them. ;) )

Pete

[Dirt]

Silly me. :confused: I meant clockwise for Powerstation. :bangshead:

On another note. The hobo camp in thew woods has been removed.
Hmmmmm.... So basically you're saying that I can't trust ANYTHING you say. ;)

[toonces]

Hmmmmm.... So basically you're saying that I can't trust ANYTHING you say. ;)

Pretty much. :confused2:

[Jackson]

Okay... Revised loop, then I need to get back to studying.

Giles Meadow CCW

First half of Workhouse CCW

Slaughterhouse CCW

Dairy Barn Loop ??? Dr. Phil said he always does it the wrong way, but didn't specify which way that was. :D My inclination was to do it CCW because that leads us into doing Pasture CW and lets us double-dip on the swoopy section of Dairy Barn.

Pasture loop CW

Orchard Loop ??? No-one has any info on that yet. I'll flip a coin when I get to it.

More on Pasture loop CW

Power Station Loop CCW

Finish out Pasture loop CW

Dairy Barn Loop CCW (thus the coubling up on the swoopy section)

Workhouse Loop CCW

CCT to the car.

Basically that really only differs from my original loop by switching up the direction of Giles Run Meadow and Pasture Loop.

The jury is still out on the Dairy Barn Loop.

Thanks!

Pete

Pete - if you ride it in the wrong direction or order, your bike is likely to catch fire. You've been warned.

[Dirt]

Pete - if you ride it in the wrong direction or order, your bike is likely to catch fire. You've been warned.
Sweet! I'm gonna ride all of them all in the wrong direction! Just what this world needs... a bike flamer that goes both ways, but prefers the wrong way.

Sorry. I couldn't contain myself. I'm putting myself in time-out. :D

Pete

[Dr Phil mmkay]

I'll need to get my crayolas out to draw on my map

Don't forget to not stay inside the lines.

Hey Dr. Phil -- is mark_w's ride posted anywhere? GPS data or otherwise? I have only been to Laurel hill once about a month ago, and did the Giles Run loop twice and the Red Loop (name?) once. Had to go through a GNARLY patch of brambles to get from Giles to Red. Other than that, it was a lot of fun, but I want to check out all of the other loops and do them in the right direction, if possible.

Mark's routes were a work in progress last time I rode with him. He said he was trying to put in a good ride which included all the correct/more fun directions to take. He just did a run there this morning (I did FH in the afternoon instead) and told me the route he took (I forgot it though, was rushing out the door for FH when I talked to him).

BTW, anyone up for another casual group ride at LH? The last one was pretty fun!

I'm surprised to read folks like PowerStation counterclockwise. Just so we're all on the same page, this means doing the logride on the way in instead of the way out. Can folks express in just a few words why?

Actually, it might be on the way out (clockwise, I think). Which ever way puts the log on the left side of the trail (which bends left). Coming into the log ride, you're on a downhill. Which ever way is the proper direction to hit those three sequential table-tops (:D). Sorry for the confusion.

Sweet! I'm gonna ride all of them all in the wrong direction! Just what this world needs... a bike flamer that goes both ways, but prefers the wrong way.

Sorry. I couldn't contain myself. I'm putting myself in time-out. :D

After more than a year on the forum, I'm not entirely surprised or shocked at your comments anymore. :thumbsup:

[mark w]

The loop i did today was fun and hit everything out there except for the extra stub of the workhouse loop from the slaughterhouse out to the second CCT entrance.

We did:

Giles Run CCW to just before the stream crossing then climbed out the Disc Golf course to the "Central Green" and rejoined the CCT (left turn).

CCT to right fork on Workhouse (CCW) to the gravel road and Slaughterhouse Loop

Slaughterhouse Loop - CCW is best to avoid blowing out the switchbacks coming down them

Continue up gravel road on Workhouse Loop to a right turn onto the Dairy Barn Loop

Dairy Barn CCW to 2nd (right turn) entrance to Pasture Loop

Pasture Loop CW to a left on the stub trail to the Apple Orchard Loop across Furnace Rd

Apple Orchard in either direction (CW = long mellow descent to switchbacked climb out, CCW = easy spin to steeper descent through switchbacks and then long steady climb out) then back across street to rejoin Pasture Loop

Pasture Loop (left turn) to Power Station CW ( I haven't ridden it CCW yet but flow and elevation change is in favor of CW IMO), rejoin Pasture Loop heading CW (left) to left turn onto Dairy Barn Loop

Dairy Barn CW all the way back to the gravel road and cross over to finish Workhouse Loop CCW

Workhouse Loop to Right on CCT and back over to entrance to Giles Meadow CCW

Giles Run Meadow Loop back to Parking Lot


I don't know the mileage yet but will compile the lengths of the segments at some point unless someone already has.

[soreback]

glade this thread came along. ive never been able to translate the map to the actual trails there... other than the purple. thanks

[tsunayoshi]

The loop i did today was fun and hit everything out there except for the extra stub of the workhouse loop from the slaughterhouse out to the second CCT entrance.
.......


Sweet, thanks for that route.

[Dirt]

I rode the MW loop today... with MW in fact. It was a great loop. It came out to be a hair over 12 miles.

If it warms up much, it will be sloppy. There is a frozen creek on the orchard loop that kind of has a blind entry. Just be careful.

I'll post up the GPS plot tomorrow morning.

Pete

[crashmore]

Attached is a garmin course I just created from our ride today.

[mark_cox]

The apple orchard loop is about 2 miles, mostly meadow, some woods, rolling non-technical. One patch of ice at the creek crossing. I just came back from riding the entire thing. The ground was frozen and the trails were fast. Great ride!

[sourceofdenial]

I'm going to hit it tomorrow morning, probably 9ish, if anyone is interested.

[Dr Phil mmkay]

I'm going to hit it tomorrow morning, probably 9ish, if anyone is interested.

If I don't sleep in I might join you out there. Might even see a bit of light snow in the morning. Will be below freezing so tread should be rideable.

[sourceofdenial]

I'll be on a flat black cross bike with a blue thermal jacket.

[Dr Phil mmkay]

Right on, I'll be on a black hardtail.

[rgb3]

My typical ride is:

Giles Run: Clockwise from the parking lot
CCT to Workhouse
Workhouse: Clockwise to the fireroad
Dairy Barn: Counter-clockwise to Pasture
Pasture: Counter-clockwise to Powerstation
Powerstation: Clockwise back to Pasture
Pasture: back to Dairy Barn (whichever way depending on how tired I am)
Dairy Barn: Clockwise to the Northern connection with the Workhouse
WorkHouse: Clockwise back to CCT
CCT to the parking lot
A loop around the prison for good measure


Agreed with others that you can't really go wrong, but I I think that you get a much better rhythm on Giles Run and Workhouse heading clockwise - especially Workhouse. And the Powerstation seems to be built primarily for Clockwise traffic. But yeah, it's all good.

[pmart15]

Yesterday I rode everything except for Slaughterhouse and Apple Orchard. I couldn't find them, first time there and didn't take a map. I really liked the short but sweet Power Station loop!

HOWEVER! I was not too happy when I looked down at my arms and legs at the end and noticed that everything was red and swollen. It looked like I rode through poison ivy but I firmly believe that it was just all of the grass from Giles Run and through the meadows just raking my skin and causing this bad rash all over. My buddy had it too but not as severe. I'll either wait for winter, wear tights and long sleeve shirt (and cook to death) or refrain.

Anyone else have that experience with the long grasses irritating the heck out of your skin?

[rgb3]

Yesterday I rode everything except for Slaughterhouse and Apple Orchard. I couldn't find them, first time there and didn't take a map. I really liked the short but sweet Power Station loop!

HOWEVER! I was not too happy when I looked down at my arms and legs at the end and noticed that everything was red and swollen. It looked like I rode through poison ivy but I firmly believe that it was just all of the grass from Giles Run and through the meadows just raking my skin and causing this bad rash all over. My buddy had it too but not as severe. I'll either wait for winter, wear tights and long sleeve shirt (and cook to death) or refrain.

Anyone else have that experience with the long grasses irritating the heck out of your skin?

Nope - and I rode all of the same three days ago.

The guy I was riding with did, however, fall into a patch of ivy and started swelling up within about 10 minutes. Sucks...

[pmart15]

Son of a ....... I knew I had the skin of a peach! :(

[lilray84]

I've just started to get into riding, and had a blast at this place today!

I took the normal loop and went around everything clockwise pretty much. looking at the map it seemed to be the right choice with the elevation changes. I'm surprised people suggest taking Giles Run CCW. That would mean you go down the CCT and enter then come pack out at the parking lot. I actually thought CW Giles was the funnest route there.

My skills are definitely not attuned to what is needed for Slaughterhouse. I walked most of it. Though I believe I took the wrong way. I took it CW, since when I got there the CCW path looked like a steep climb. But actually most of the step ups/down were oriented for the opposite direction. Can people really bunny hop up those 1-1.5' step ups going up hill? Haha.

I too ran into a lot of grass lashing, and like others developed rashes all over. But I already know I am highly allergic to grass, that may be the case for you guys as well. Some of the sections ought to be renamed with "Tick" in the names! It got to the point where after every loop, I would get off and pull 2-3 ticks off my legs and arms. If you get out and look at the grass around you, you will see them all over!

During the week is an awesome time to go. I only saw two other people the entire time, and they were both on the CCT. All the trails were completely empty! I will definitely return here next week.

[mtbmore]

I will start in the parking lot and ride Giles in a CW and then after I do all the loops I will end CCW. I do like Slaughterhouse in the CCW but yes all those drops/ledges are rideable in both directions. There will be at least one work day this summer to reduce the grasses.

Scud
PS
Since you really liked this, join MORE so we can can do more. LH was about 6 years in the planning and 2 years in the building. All with MORE members taking the lead. IMBA Trail Solutions did the building but without the constant care and feeding of MORE members like Chris Morin, Nancy Devore, Anne Mader, Frank Raiti, Mike Bender, Larry Cautilli and many more...the list could continue. This would probabley not have been built at all and if built bikes would have been excluded.

[PowerSeen]

I've heard great things about these trails and will head down hopefully sometime this week. I've noticed all the discussion about which direction to go, yada yada. Now that they've been open for a few months, are there any direction markers when approaching the loops or should I just use the force to pick a direction?

[mtbmore]

:):)I've heard great things about these trails and will head down hopefully sometime this week. I've noticed all the discussion about which direction to go, yada yada. Now that they've been open for a few months, are there any direction markers when approaching the loops or should I just use the force to pick a direction?

The trail system was clearly designed for 2 way traffic. People will certainly have their opinions on which way they prefer a loop. I have been out there probably 10 times and I do not have a preferred route. It is all fun in either direction.

Scud

[atlantis]

Watch out for Ticks! LH is a blast other than that.

[soreback]

Watch out for Ticks! LH is a blast other than that.

agree! even tho the vegetation has been trimmed back recently, plenty of spots where its still hanging over on 1 or both side of the trail to brush against and pick up ticks.

[PowerSeen]

Awesome. I went there yesterday and was blown away. While most of it isn't specifically technical or overly challenging, but it was a ton of fun. I didn't find two of the loops, but now looking at the map I have a much better idea of where I was and where to go. I didn't really want to get locked in and attacked by ghost zombie prisoners if they closed the gate on me! That blue powerhouse loops is awesome. The suggestion that it is a challenge to "stay on the ground" with those rollers is definitely true and was a blast to ride.

I thankfully didn't notice many ticks on me, but made sure to keep an eye out.