Stony Valley Trail

Ok so here's what's confusing about these reviews from years ago.If you want to ride the rail trail either park in the large circle where you will see mail boxes and go down the gravel ride past houses until you react the rail trail, or you can drive down that gravel rode until it stops and you will see the gate to the actual rail trail. But you can take this rattle snake trail run by turning left off of the gravel road where you will see a red gate and climb up the mountain on this road. Once at the top you can split left at the second Y and see the fire tower or continue right on the main trail slowly working your way down the beaten path to connect to the real rail trail. Here's my problem with these reviews once you are descending down the mountain (rattle snake run) the trail gets rockier and rockier and is no longer an EASY skill level route. So if you don't have a well equipped bike I would stick to using just the rail trail. It took me two hours to climb and descend back to where my vehicle was parked and luckily STAVA saved me. This app is trash for even locating where to park.

First, thanks to the other reviews. They were very helpful. This is a excellent exercise route with some good vista's; nothing really technical about it. The only thing I can add to the other reviews is if starting on the Ellendale side (recommended), the start point is a left off shoot (Rattling Run Trail) off Ellendale Road. You can identify it by a state games hunting area sign (SGL 211) right in front of the trail. There is a small parking area by the sign but I recommend going a half mile or so past to a decent sized parking area. Be prepared to pump up a decent grade for just over 3 miles before reaching the top. You'll know your there when you see a gate and a road to the left (radio towers). Go through the gate flow the trail. Recommend making a left at the first fork and heading to the fire tower, great view worth the mile down and back. From there it's literally all down hill from here. Enjoy it, small stones and downed trees keep it interesting until your hit the road and a right back to your car.

This is a terrific ride on a very historical trail. It is well kept and the grade is fairly easy. We could not do the entire run on one trip, so we will be going back again.

If possible, start on the Ellendale side. The road up is not well marked but it is direct, basically just keep going until you meet the trail-head. From here, the trail is an incline, which means and easier ride back to the vehicles.

The trail was a little soggy and they have not done the spring maintenance. However, it was an easy ride on average. Most of the trail is the original rail-bed which is fairly hard backed. In some places, small and large gravel has been placed to make the ground more solid. These may be more difficult for new riders, but they are not dangerous.

You can see the reason this is called Stony Valley, as there are many stones along the trail that the railroad would have had to move. There are a few reminders that this was a railroad, including old trestles for a bridge and concrete pillars. I suggest you read the history before and after the ride.

Have fun!!!

Park at the turnaround area (you'll see all the mailboxes on the left). Go in about 5 minutes and make a left at the yellow gate to start the climb. Nothing technical about this ride and you could rate it very easy except for this 35-45 minute climb at the start. It's long and steady with 3 steep hills that will get your heart pumping and legs burning. After that it is rather easy and can get boring. There's a nice little rocky downhill that can be fun. Once you hit the Rail Trail I'd advise pumping it out in your 3rd ring of gears. At that point I just like to see how fast I can finish up.

Rode this trail this past weekend. Drive all the way to the parking lot then ride back 1.**miles to the trailhead (on your right). 2.8 mile climb to the top (watch out for snakes...almost ran over one!). Like said before, 3 radio towers at the top but go through fence at top and continue on trail to fork. Take (R) to head back towards the railtrail (Rattling Run Trail = 10miles total). You'll hit a nice downhill before getting back to the railtrail. I turned left and rode all the way to the end of the trail then turned around and rode back to the parking lot. 39 total miles for the day.

Trail begins with a short peddal down the rail trail to a yellow fence. Once through the fence you will climb about 6-7 miles (arrrrgh) we you think your there, keep going. It continues to get steeper as you gain elevation. Once on top there are 3 radio towers, from there continue until the fork. At the fork you can choose to visit the fire tower by going left (7 story tower that has a 360 degree view, really dope!) or you can continue on the main trail. From here there is a bit of a climb but its rather chill, as it mellows out the descent kicks in. Rock Garden!!! For those of you wanting to know when the fun begins, well here it is. No breaking in the rock garden down hill, go fast. When it ends it will come to a "T" go right and your on the rail trail back to your car. Total distance including visiting the tower is about 20 miles. Good excersize, s***ty for technical riders!!!