where do you drop in?

[kdweb]

Guy I work with says this is a good ride but I can't see any trailhead at the end of Potsprings? WTF? Is this the right place to drop in on that side of Loch Raven?

[Brizn]

I'm interested to know as well, though I've never even been there to scout it out. Maybe someone'll lead a ride there...?

[Xterradork]

Here's some general directions:
Baltimore beltway (695) north towards Towson, take Delaney Valley Rd north. go approx. 4 miles there is a John Deere retailer on the left. park along the road here. the trailhead is on the right side of the road. (there are many other starting points for this trail system)

What most folks do is from the Delaney Valley exit, turn left at the light on Seminary Rd. and immediately park on the side of the road. Grab your bike, cross Seminary and on the left is the trailhead.

[rmac]

There are 2 major sections that people refer to as Loch Raven: Seminary AKA:Glen Ellen - this is the area between Dulaney Valley rd / Seminary Rd / Providence Rd. Most people park in the church lot on Seminary just west of Dulaney Valley (1st light N of 695) - pls do not park here on Sundays - (the Church has been really cool about us using their lot on all other days). To get to the trailhead - bike east through light staying on Seminary, go 200 yrds or so, trailhead goes in on left at chain rail. Take the first left off the fire rd to hit the single track. You'll get in about a 16 mile loop w/out crossing roads if you hit all of the st. This is the section that includes Sam's trail, logs trail, fatboy's... There is additional trail on the far side of Providence & on the Pines side of loch raven drive. 26 miles if you ride one big loop. You can also park on Providence opposite the John Deere & enter trail on left as xterraD mentioned, or on the right for a change of scenery.

The second area of loch raven is the Merryman's loop. This is the area you can ride from the very end of Potspring rd. Parking is very limited there & the residents may get restless if it's overused/abused. Drive to the N end of PotSpring & park. Enter trail at guard rail & bomb down the gravel rd. At the bottom you can go straight, left, or right. Enjoy. There are about 12miles on this side & another 10 on the far side of the resevoir. More popular place to park is on Dulaney Valley just before the bridge over the resevoir (dirt lot on the left - very limited - trailhead here), or beyond the bridge near the blinking lights. Access the far side of Merrymans by riding a few 100 yards N up J Pike from Dulaney V & going in on the left just beyond the guard rail. stay left at intersections to ride the single track. This is as technical as LR gets. Good Stuff. You can loop the entire ride by popping out on Warren Rd. & crossing the steal bridge over the resevoir.

I live off Providence & ride these trails a few times a week. If there is interest - I'll lead a ride sometime, let me know here. I'm headed to Warren now to get in a lunch ride. Will most likely ride LR again on Monday, unless we decide to hit Avalon, Fairhills, or Redman. I like a good, steady pace, & welcome all & will leave no one behind - unless you're annoying.

[rmac]

oh, if you're looking for conditions - trails are super dry, fast, & a little dusty. The bit of rain we had helped settle some of the dust, turns are loose in a few spots. Seminary is clear sailing w/ recent stacks & detours at deadwood. There are one or two trees down at Merryman's that could use some work.

[kdweb]

Rmac, Thanks for the directions, I scoped it out earlier this year and saw a bunch of signs posted no trespassing...no MTB!
I may take you up on the offer. What's your early evening schedule like? This weekend looks like a lost cause... rain and I usually hit McKelden or Liberty on the way home from work so this is sort of on the other side of the beltway but I have heard such good stuff about the place, I would really like to check it out.

[rmac]

Not sure about the signs. This is a less popular entrance to Merryman's, but I've had no issues. Respect the residents, park under the first tree where there isn't a house or further up the street kinda between houses - watch for nparking signs by trail entrance. Many of the neighbors walk their dogs in or hike in this way with the kids, so just be aware & considerate. Once down the trail, there's room for everybody & the people I meet back here have always been cool. Park on Dulaney Valley if you have a big group or up at the park on Old Bosely.

I'm riding Monday (day) if it's dry. Tuesday & Thursday nights are best during the week. I work in HuntValley & can be at the trail around 5:45. I don't mind starting later & riding with lights or keeping it short. Which ever works. The other good thing about this section - it drains better/faster than Seminary, so Tuesday could be good.

[kdweb]

Well now I understand the all the hubbub! Nice place to spend a few hours! Kinda a last minute thing, I wound up over that side of town yesterday with a few hours to kill and had a blast! I blew past the map at the trailhead and jumped into the single track just off to the left there for a couple of miles of nice flat rolling along the water then went back to the trailhead via the fire road to get my bearings and do a time check since I hadda schedule to keep. I need to check that map again! Is my photographic memory failing me or does the firetrail ( white blazes but red lines onthe map) have a loop at the end? Thinking that it did, I just kept to the right as I headed deep into the woods but after about a 1/2 hour of riding, I ran into a couple of folks that recommended another route that put me back on that first single track I got on. No regrets there! :D And speaking of ROOTS! :eek: Must be all that water! It made McKelden look like a desert!

There is a return trip in my future! What's it like in the off season...cold, no leaves on the trees....Ice in the streams time? Also...any on line maps of the tract??

Thanks for the tip Mac!

[rmac]

Yeah - it's great local riding. You're talking about merryman's section or seminary? Merrymans- The fire road does not loop back - single track runs water side & top side on & off along the fire road. The far side of Meryman's is rockier & rootier. Seminary - the fire road Y's off a few times, but never truely loops back. Same deal with single track, mostly water side, but good stuff to be found on all sides. Seminary is more flowy.
Seminary is great in fall & winter, it stays wet for a day after heavy rain, but clear of leaves due to all of the riders. I've riden it in the snow as well. Merryman's is less popular, so leaves build up. I've tried to plow through leaves over a foot deep on the far side of Merrymans in late fall. The trail gets a little hard to follow, but if you know it, it's fine.

I just got back from a 20m+ loop starting from my drive way - about 19 on trail & 2 or 3 on road - there's a lot out there. Send me a message next time you're headed there. My small group will ride this week, most likely wed night.

[rmac]

kdweb, I just re-read your post. You were in Seminary starting from Dulaney near the church lot (past map)? I was back there yesterday as well - quick ride with the dog, so I went in from Providence - no intersection. From where you were there is plenty more single track - top side, further up, down lr drive, or across Providence - you can go for hours.

[SuperClyde]

I'm happy to see there is interest in Loch Raven - it's a great place to ride, and is a really nice alternative to Patapsco, especially if you live in Northern Balt county.

To keep it simple for newbies, I've broken LR down to two places:

1. Seminary Loop - take Dulaney Valley Road approximately 1/2 mile north of 695. Make left at Seminary Rd and park near church. Bike on Seminary for about 200 yards, and enter fireroad on left. Make immediate left onto singletrack. Explore.

2. Merryman's Loop: Take Dulaney Valley approximately 4 miles north of 695, cross Loch Raven Reservoir bridge, and park car on side of road. Enter singletrack where the bridge guard-rail ends on left. Explore.

Both loops are very nice, and hold miles of singetrack. A truly great place to ride!

[rmac]

Both sections are in good shape. Thank you to who ever rebuilt the small bridge - nice job. . Seminary is clear & drying out well. There are still one or two large trees down in Merrymans. See you out there this w/end.