Crystal Creek has been the focal point of much of the recent trail construction at Hiawatha Highlands, and thanks to the concerted trail building efforts over the last few years, it's now home to a bevy of top-tier jump lines and flow trails. "We built some big-ass jumps, and it goes," said Anderson. The trails at Crystal Creek offer "some really nice berms, some smaller tabletops, rollers, what have you, and then expands all the way up to what we call Big Kahuna and Jaws, where we've got 20-plus-foot-long tabletops, some big step downs."
One of the continuous jump runs at Crystal Creek, which connects two different trail segments, "is over 900 [linear] meters, which is one of the longest descents in all of Ontario," said Anderson. That includes all lift-accessed descents in the province. Anderson went on to note that Crystal Creek features professionally-built jump lines and flow trails that are bike park quality, but unlike many other trail systems and bike parks in Ontario and Quebec, the trails at Hiawatha Highlands are free of charge.
While Crystal Creek is home to the biggest jumps in the region, it also offers one of the most accessible beginner-friendly flow trails, making this cluster a true crowd-pleaser for riders of all ability levels. Several of the locals I spoke with named Crystal Creek as their favorite trail cluster.
Nicely maintained but very twisty so don't expect to fly through here. Very little climbing, not very technical, except maybe Nemesis trail which is short and rocky. Fun if you're in the area but not worth travelling far to ride it.
| ThankGood flow, lots of ups and downs. Keeps you on your toes with tons of winding, ups and downs, roots and rock.
| Thank