Rugged Trail

Near entrance to Rugged Trail from Stone Cabin Trail. Most bikers continue on Stone Cabin Trail approx. 0.4 miles to the far entrance to Rugged Trail and run the trail in a counter-clockwise ...

2009-02-21T15:08:32Z

Rick N Jill
Near entrance to Rugged Trail from Stone Cabin Trail. Most bikers continue on Stone Cabin Trail approx. 0.4 miles to the far entrance to Rugged Trail and run the trail in a counter-clockwise ...

If you continue on Stone Cabin Trail for approx. 0.4 miles you will come to the far entrance to Rugged Trail and turn left onto Rugged Trail.

2009-06-05T14:37:22Z

Rick N Jill
If you continue on Stone Cabin Trail for approx. 0.4 miles you will come to the far entrance to Rugged Trail and turn left onto Rugged Trail.

Here looking down the far entrance to Rugged Trail

2009-02-21T15:05:50Z

Rick N Jill
Here looking down the far entrance to Rugged Trail

Rugged Trail starts to decend, at times rather steeply over numerous short sections thru the first mile or so.

2009-02-21T15:07:53Z

Rick N Jill
Rugged Trail starts to decend, at times rather steeply over numerous short sections thru the first mile or so.

Winding between rocks and small pines along the way.

2009-02-21T15:03:37Z

Rick N Jill
Winding between rocks and small pines along the way.

The short steeper sections make for a fast ride for those that like speed.

2009-02-21T14:59:48Z

Rick N Jill
The short steeper sections make for a fast ride for those that like speed.

Here a steep side slope was bench cut and built up with a stone crib wall to create some exposure.

2009-02-21T15:06:15Z

Rick N Jill
Here a steep side slope was bench cut and built up with a stone crib wall to create some exposure.

A nicely bench cut section along this rolling terrain

2009-02-21T15:07:34Z

Rick N Jill
A nicely bench cut section along this rolling terrain

Another section of steeper grade in the first mile of the trail

2009-02-21T15:08:23Z

Rick N Jill
Another section of steeper grade in the first mile of the trail

Rick N Jill's photo

2009-02-21T15:01:34Z

Rick N Jill

Another short steep bench cut section of trail

2009-06-05T14:30:47Z

Rick N Jill
Another short steep bench cut section of trail

The trail starts to roll up and down thru the middle sections

2009-02-21T15:06:57Z

Rick N Jill
The trail starts to roll up and down thru the middle sections

Rick N Jill's photo

2009-02-25T06:32:53Z

Rick N Jill

Rick N Jill's photo

2009-02-21T15:03:17Z

Rick N Jill

Many nice rolling grade reversals and turns make this a great ride.

2009-02-21T15:03:52Z

Rick N Jill
Many nice rolling grade reversals and turns make this a great ride.

A couple of nice rollers near the midway point

2009-02-21T14:57:47Z

Rick N Jill
A couple of nice rollers near the midway point

Another roller

2009-02-21T15:06:04Z

Rick N Jill
Another roller

Rollers near midpoint

2009-02-21T15:05:47Z

Rick N Jill
Rollers near midpoint

The rollers end with a nice benchcut decent to a 'sometimes wet' crossing and up a short steep, rocky up to what we call the rock bridge about midpoint on the trail.

2009-02-21T15:06:05Z

Rick N Jill
The rollers end with a nice benchcut decent to a 'sometimes wet' crossing and up a short steep, rocky up to what we call the rock bridge about midpoint on the trail.

Here looking up the short steep rocky section to the 'rock bridge'

2009-02-21T15:05:56Z

Rick N Jill
Here looking up the short steep rocky section to the 'rock bridge'

Here the 'rock bridge'. Really nothing more than large rocks piled up to cover over some unridable tomestone rock formations at the bottom of the pile. If you know it's coming you can carry ...

2009-06-05T14:45:13Z

Rick N Jill
Here the 'rock bridge'. Really nothing more than large rocks piled up to cover over some unridable tomestone rock formations at the bottom of the pile. If you know it's coming you can carry ...

Short climbing turn after the rock bridge marks another long sections of decending trail with a couple of switchbacks along the way.

2009-02-21T14:59:57Z

Rick N Jill
Short climbing turn after the rock bridge marks another long sections of decending trail with a couple of switchbacks along the way.

Hard to see coming but this is the hard right hand turn of the first of the switchbacks

2009-02-21T15:02:37Z

Rick N Jill
Hard to see coming but this is the hard right hand turn of the first of the switchbacks

Rick N Jill's photo

2009-02-21T15:06:21Z

Rick N Jill

After a semi straight section you go into a hard left turn as you enter the second switchback

2009-02-21T15:04:05Z

Rick N Jill
After a semi straight section you go into a hard left turn as you enter the second switchback

Rocks layed up along the outside of the switchback in hopes of eventually building up a berm in this hard left turn

2009-02-21T15:02:42Z

Rick N Jill
Rocks layed up along the outside of the switchback in hopes of eventually building up a berm in this hard left turn

After the switchbacks a long decent to a rocky section of trail

2009-02-21T15:07:30Z

Rick N Jill
After the switchbacks a long decent to a rocky section of trail

Rick N Jill's photo

2009-02-21T15:01:37Z

Rick N Jill

Rather long straight decending rock garden

2009-02-21T15:05:53Z

Rick N Jill
Rather long straight decending rock garden

The long decending rock garden fianlly flattens out into a smooth flowing right hand turn

2009-02-21T15:04:47Z

Rick N Jill
The long decending rock garden fianlly flattens out into a smooth flowing right hand turn

The trail continues a flowing decent through a section of pines and hemlocks.

2009-06-05T18:36:56Z

Rick N Jill
The trail continues a flowing decent through a section of pines and hemlocks.

Rolling section of trail through the trees

2009-06-05T14:44:30Z

Rick N Jill
Rolling section of trail through the trees

Lykens Resevoir as well as the road can be seen through the leafless trees in the winter.

2009-06-05T14:38:10Z

Rick N Jill
Lykens Resevoir as well as the road can be seen through the leafless trees in the winter.

Through the hemlocks

2009-02-21T15:02:23Z

Rick N Jill
Through the hemlocks

Tree downed by the latest high (50+mph) wind. We will have to get this one out as it is laying at quite an angle to the trail and on a slight climb

2009-06-05T14:00:40Z

Rick N Jill
Tree downed by the latest high (50+mph) wind. We will have to get this one out as it is laying at quite an angle to the trail and on a slight climb

Trail through the trees just before the switchback turnaround about a mile from teh end of the trail

2009-06-05T14:13:53Z

Rick N Jill
Trail through the trees just before the switchback turnaround about a mile from teh end of the trail

Going into the very sharp left hand switchback to start back toward home.

2009-06-05T14:46:40Z

Rick N Jill
Going into the very sharp left hand switchback to start back toward home.

From here it is generally a long semi easy assent to the end of the trail

2009-06-05T14:46:17Z

Rick N Jill
From here it is generally a long semi easy assent to the end of the trail

Climbing turns heading back but nice flowing mostly smooth tread

2009-06-05T14:04:04Z

Rick N Jill
Climbing turns heading back but nice flowing mostly smooth tread

Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

2009-06-05T13:51:02Z

Rick N Jill
Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

2009-02-21T15:00:59Z

Rick N Jill
Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

2009-06-05T14:02:05Z

Rick N Jill
Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

2009-06-05T14:35:44Z

Rick N Jill
Slow steady climbing back to end of trail

A rather rocky semi technical turn near the end with tired legs not helping the cause. But at least you know the end is near !!!!

2009-06-05T14:14:06Z

Rick N Jill
A rather rocky semi technical turn near the end with tired legs not helping the cause. But at least you know the end is near !!!!

A few rocks in the last couple hundred feet of the trail

2009-06-05T14:43:28Z

Rick N Jill
A few rocks in the last couple hundred feet of the trail

A few rocks in the last couple hundred feet of the trail

2009-06-05T14:38:54Z

Rick N Jill
A few rocks in the last couple hundred feet of the trail

And finally the end of Rugged Trail. A welcome sight after the last mile or so of steady slow climbing

2009-02-21T15:00:57Z

Rick N Jill
And finally the end of Rugged Trail. A welcome sight after the last mile or so of steady slow climbing