Cow Rock Loop (Mountain Biking Part 5)

Recently got 'Backcountry' up and running. Not the best transfer - original master is on Beta tape - no longer have a player - transferred to disc from a back-up S-VHS tape originally copied from the master tape edited from a Beta tape work print copied from the original processed 16mm color negative film - probably a fourth of fifth generation duplicate. Some quality loss with each tape transfer - exhibits some color "bleeding" and loss of resolution quality at full screen. Also, the tapes are up there in years.

One last short bike route - The 'Cow Rock Loop' - around six or seven miles in length - 900ft elevation gain - 1.5 to 2 hours round trip. Begin several hundred feet past the end of the blacktop and old quarry along 'Cow Rock Road' near the large 'frog pond' on the left. Park here. Continue upgrade on bike along the unimproved road for 3-4 miles (staying right at the intersection located about 1/3 of the way - if you start descending a steep hill, you're off route). At the third major intersection, follow left, continuing upgrade for several hundred feet to merge with a wide State Game Lands (SGL) Road,  eventually emerging several hundred feet to the northwest of 'Elk Rock'. Follow left (if you don't hang out at 'Elk Rock' for a spell) over rolling terrain for about 1/2 mile to a 'T' intersection. Two trails 'Y' to the right - take the left trail to the north. This is the single track as described toward the end of the 'Big Loop'. Enjoy the scenic overlooks and steep downhill flanking the Yough River gorge. You'll eventually round a large right facing 'horseshoe bend', then a short steep uphill, then continue downgrade to an eventual large timbered clearing. Stay right past the clearing, continuing along the single track thru the woods (if you take the wide road leaving the clearing, you will travel a long uphill to return to the first intersection as described at 1/3 mile from the start - you can go this way as well, eventually reversing your path). Follow the rolling single track - eventually climbing a short, steep hill to a nice boulder field - continuing past the large boulders the trail descends for about a mile (fun rolling and winding downhill). You'll eventually arrive at an intersection with a trail veering left - follow this trail back to the 'frog pond' and vehicle (if you miss this trail - you'll shortly arrive at a 'T' intersection - turn left here as well and follow back to the 'trailhead').

The map:

Recap: These are a few of the endless riding opportunities within the south end of 'Chestnut Ridge - just wanted to highlight a few of the best. Much more - from 'Quebec Run' to 'Ohiopyle' to the 'Dunbar Mountains' to 'White' to 'Linn Run' and everything in between. In these parts, pretty much any dirt road or trail exiting the 'hard top' or 'beaten path' is a possibility.

The routes as plotted on all the mapping were located as identified on the USGS topographic map layer where available, supplemented by GPS 'waypoints' measured 'on route'. 'Gray areas' were plotted from memory - probably accurate to within 100ft, at worst - no guarantee.

Some final photos:

Upper: Matt & Howie at a steep section of the 'Foundation Loop' in Casparis, probably around '94
Bottom: Matt - his last ride in these great hills - Cow Rock Loop - probably '04

 Howie at the Yough River Crossing of the 'Big Loop' 

Above the Yough Gorge Crag

'Sandy Flats Loop' in winter

Most always had a hairy friend tagging along 

Spring head along the YRT

Abandoned railroad trestle at mouth of 'Indian Creek' - not a good place to lose your balance

Overlooking the west flank of the Yough River gorge - viewing south. The railroad trestle at 'Indian Creek' is just north of photo center, at the right hand river bend - this is also the spot of the river crossing. Note the white helicopter just left of photo center