This loop combines a section of gated doubletrack forest road with a section of well-traveled, well-graded gravel road. There’s no true singletrack on the route as mapped, so competent gravel riders could very well pedal this loop on a drop-bar gravel bike. Of course, that would ratchet up the technical difficulty considerably.

After leaving the trailhead, you’ll soon jump on the gated forest road and pedal away from all remnants of civilization. Soon, you’ll find yourself deep in the forest, climbing up short, steep hills and swooping down the backsides. While a few of the climbs on this loop can feel steep, none of the climbs are extended or extremely strenuous.

Some sections of the doubletrack can be eroded, rooty, and rough in places. However, since the trail tread is so wide, true beginners can generally avoid the most difficult portions. And it’s these same slightly-techy portions that can prove challenging on a gravel bike.

About halfway through the doubletrack portion of the ride, you’ll reach a deep creek crossing. At times in the past, bridges have been built across this creek, but they tend to wash away eventually. Whether or not you’ll find a bridge to cross depends on the year. So, anticipate that you will have to wade through the stream—it can often be knee-deep, or deeper. In the winter, this can be hypothermia-inducing, so exercise caution.

Once across the creek, you’ll slowly climb back to the main gravel road. Take a left on the gravel road and finish the rolling climb to return to the trailhead at the church.