Mohican State Park
Reviewed 6/07 |
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Mohican State Park Land has long been an untapped resource
of land ripe for mountain biking trails. The only thing previously there
was snowmobile trails that were of no interest to mountain bikers. Thankfully,
this has all changed with the building of the new Mohican State Park Trail.
This Trail has more in common with Lake Hope than with its big brother
Mohican Wilderness. About the only similarity to Mohican Wilderness
is that you start off climbing. While Mohican Wilderness is only about 8 miles, Mohican State Park is an epic 24 miles long! Check out the Helmet Cam Video.
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You will begin by gradually climbing for the first mile or
so. It’s a nice gradual climb that is completely doable in middle
ring for most. The trail designers made nice use of switchbacks to wind
up the hill. I found this a much more pleasant climb than Mohican Wilderness’s
initial long brutal climb.
After the climb you will start doing some ridge riding. You will encounter
some roller coaster type terrain and the trail begins to become faster and
the miles start flying by. There are a few rock gardens for all you tech
heads. Nothing as extreme as Dillon or West Branch, but a decent challenge
nonetheless. When you hit mile 4 the trail is very fast and you start encountering
some downhills. Miles 5-7 are the highlight of the first section. You’ll get
into some very fast downhills and hit 2 bridges that are preceded by a 90
degree turn and a short steep drop. Fun Stuff! Towards the end of the first section you will
hit a climb that is a challenge in middle ring. When you reach the top you
will be on a ridge with breathtaking views to your left. This ridge is 400
feet up and drops both sides. |
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The trail continues around mile 8 by turning right at an intersection BEFORE you get to the picnic area. This section is about 4 miles and goes down to the covered bridge. If you have ridden or even driven the road down to the covered bridge, you know there is some serious elevation change. Needless to say I was expecting an epic downhill down to the bridge but instead you'll be going through some grassy areas and even doing some gradual climbs before blazing down a swichback infested DH that drops you off at the bridge. Even with the downhill at the end, it still doesn't seem like you get the full effect of that huge elevation drop via the road.
From the covered bridge go up the road about 50 yards and pick up the trail on your right. Prepare to climb! I hope you like switchbacks as you will be pedaling like a hamster in a wheel. The climbing is all doable however and nothing too steep to break you. Just pace yourself. When you get close to the top you will even be treated to some gradual downhills that you can really scream on. This section is about 3.5 miles long and will cross a road twice leading to the next section.
The next section is a non stop roller coaster ride of pure mountain biking bliss that lasts a whopping 4.5 miles. You'll only have a few slight uphills in this section but most of it is fast and furious. No stops are necessary in this section. Just get in a rhythm and go. You will go through some sweet pine forests and even get a few air miles in. This section has the best flow of any section of the trail. Enjoy it while you can because the next section brings more climbing!
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At last the final section .....Insert Rocky theme music here. "getting strong now....." This is another 4.5 mile section of all kinds of nasty(in a good way) sections and some very fun ones too. By now your legs are getting tired and you just want to coast the remaining miles....Well think again. This is the toughest section of the trail. You will cross the road and start climbing immediately. When you finally do top out you'll be treated to some nice little technical spots and some small DH's. One of the DH's will dump you out at the base of a short but steep climb that is tough to make. Be prepared to drop to the small ring immediately. Some roots, minor rocks, and a couple climbs are waiting for you next. Start going down and you think you are at the final DH, but think again. It's a teaser! Doh! The final DH is wonderfully full of whoop de doos and switchbacks and leaves you feeling refreshed as you cross the last bridge and arrive at the road. Your legs have temporarily forgotten the pain you have just put them through.
From here cross the bridge in front of you and take the final 3/4 of a mile back to the beginning or ride the road back through the campground. Go underneath the bridge to the south of the park entrance to get back to your car.
The trail is very well marked and has a mile marker at every mile so
you know how far you have ridden without the aid of a computer or GPS.
Mohican State Park Trail has some of the best flow and scenery of any trail in
Ohio. I can confidently say that this trail is the new champion for wet
weather riding. The trail was in fantastic shape and very fast after some rain. The trail kept a smile on
my face the entire ride. We can now say that Ohio has an epic trail. We can thank the Mohican-Malabar
club and Ryan O’ Dell. They have done a superb job at designing
the trail after years of battling for access to the park. Cheers!
Moab |
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Right click and hit save target as to download full map.
This is the fully completed trail
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(Click for larger image)
Not including 2 newest sections
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Seasonal riding conditions:
This trail drains better than any Trail in Ohio. Very little mud to be found except after very heavy rains. Almost always
rideable. |
Directions:
From Columbus:
I-71 north to St Rt 97. St Rt 97 east through Belleville and Butler to
St Rt 3. Left or north on St Rt 3 for a few hundred yards then turn right into the gravel parking lot. Do not park inside the park entrance!. You can take the pathway underneath Rt. 3 to get into the park. Trailhead
starts right behind the eastern end of the lot right inside the park. The trail will fork. Take
the right fork. The other trail is a hiking only trail.
Cleveland Area:
I-71 south to US Rt 250 west- exit 186. US Rt 250 west 1.5 miles to Rt
42. Rt 42 southwest 1.5 miles to Ohio 60. Ohio 60 south to Loudonville
to St Rt 3. Rt 3 south to the Mohican State Park entrance on your left
just before Rt. 97. Park at the gravel lot on the left(east) side of Rt 3. Do not park inside the park entrance!
Trailhead starts
right by the main entrance to the park. The trail will fork. Take the
right fork. The other trail is a hiking only trail.
Mohican
State Park Website
Directions to Nearest Hospital |
