Sandy Flats Loop (Mountain Biking Part 4)

Total length around 6 miles. Total elevation gain slightly over 1100ft (in three miles). Trip time around 1.5 hours (however, has been done in just around 1 hour during several "speed attempts").

Not every trail is a four to eight hour "expedition". Much shorter, but just as rugged, trips are possible by linking to the many "alternate" trails as indicated on the provided mapping. The 'Sandy Flats Loop' is  one such. Start at the bottom of 'Casparis Hill' and follow the unimproved road uphill and continue along more gradual ascent to reach 'Foleys Pond'. Pass the pond and continue up steeper terrain (used to be a technical climb over several rock ledges - however, they graded this section in the past few years to facilitate truck access for timbering) to a sharp left shortly after the top of the hill. The trail narrows at this point. Continue on past several large puddles and a few wellheads for about a mile to a large intersection linking Trump Hollow, Tates Hollow and the top of the ridge. Turn left (west) and follow back (quickly, if you prefer) along the ridge, traveling thru 'Sandy Flats' and open terrain. Past the 'Flats', the terrain narrows, traveling back thru the woods for a way before descending back down the ridge. Shortly after you begin a loose, gravelly descent, watch for a sharp left off the main trail, which continues straight. Take the left, and continue downhill. The last several hundred feet descends thru a steep, washed out and deeply rutted jeep trail back to the intersection with the top of 'Casparis Hill'. Follow back down the hill to the start.

Pretty good ride if your short on time. Also a good training ride to keep in shape. Regardless - is a great ride. "Back in the day", used to try to complete the round trip non-stop  and without the feet touching the ground (meaning no wipe-outs, spin-outs, rests etc..) from start to finish. Personally achieved that feat three times (out of probably over a hundred attempts) throughout the years. Used to ride this several nights a week and early Saturday and Sunday mornings - back at the vehicle by 9am. Good trail for dogs, too.

Another map:

'Sandy Flats Loop' 

Used to be a lot of horseback riding along the trails years ago - would always be several horse trailers parked along the bottom of the hill on the weekend. 'Betty Knox' parking lot, as well - personally counted 17 horse trailers in the lot once. A group of horseback riders are actually the people who directed us to the trails along Dunbar Creek. Sadly, as more and more (speeding) quadrunners and dirt bikes appeared throughout the years, they've gradually disappeared completely.