Sugar Bottom (Iowa City, IA) Now Open

[jaybird]

Just a quick FYI for those of you who know there really is mtb'ing in Iowa. :p

[Mateo]

Do you happen to know how far that is from the Cities?

[noise_is_life]

Looks like IA city is about 300 miles from MPLS.

[jaybird]

It's almost all highway to Iowa City - about 5 1/2 hours from B'ville to Iowa City. I used to live in Cedar Rapids and absolutely loved Sugar Bottom. I hope to make a trip down there in mid-May for a long weekend. :banana:

[noise_is_life]

There was some discussion of stopping there on the way down to the Crank-N-Cruise in Missouri next weekend, either that or Landahl. It's all new trail to me!

[KleinCrazy]

Pat,

I would suggest against stoping at Suger from Crowder. It would be quite a bit out of the way. You drive right over the Des Moines version of our river bottom on the way to KC and their is some very nice trail in Fort Dodge, Ia which is only about 30 min off of 35 unlike Suger, which is more like 2 hours off of 35.

Just my input

James

[SuperClydesdale]

James

Your points are noted, but I was talking about leaving Thursday night and driving to Iowa City (via Rochester, Davenport, etc), riding Sugar Bottoms on Friday AM, then backroading it to Crowder in the afternoon. Definitley does not make sense to go to Des Moines, bang a hard left to Iowa City, and then back to 35W in Des Moines fir tthe trip to Crowder.

Retired the Stumpjumper; riding a new 1x1.

Mark

[KleinCrazy]

Mark,

That would work fine. I don't know if you know the area, but backroads to Suger and Crowder can be VERY SLOW this time of year. 2 lane State Highways at planting time. Lots of farm equipment on the roads and 1 small town to go through every 10 miles.

You plan will work fine, but be prepared for alot of slow speed driving through farmlands.

I would love to go as I have never riden Sugerbottoms, but have heard good things about it.

L8er
James

[jaybird]

... I was talking about leaving Thursday night and driving to Iowa City (via Rochester, Davenport, etc), riding Sugar Bottoms on Friday AM, then backroading it to Crowder in the afternoon. Definitley does not make sense to go to Des Moines, bang a hard left to Iowa City, and then back to 35W in Des Moines fir tthe trip to Crowder.
If you plan to hit Sugar Bottom, I don't recommend going via Rochester. Take I-35 down to Mason City and head east on US-18. This is now almost all 4 lane, except for a short stretch around St. Charles. Once you hit Waterloo, pick I-280 and straight to North Liberty/Iowa City.

[Mateo]

I would suggest against stoping at Suger from Crowder. It would be quite a bit out of the way. You drive right over the Des Moines version of our river bottom on the way to KC and their is some very nice trail in Fort Dodge, Ia which is only about 30 min off of 35 unlike Suger, which is more like 2 hours off of 35.


I'm heading south to Oklahoma this weekend and would like to stop at some trails along the way down and back... How would I find these trails you mentioned? Any suggestions for Missouri?

Thanks in advance...

[noise_is_life]

I'm heading south to Oklahoma this weekend and would like to stop at some trails along the way down and back... How would I find these trails you mentioned? Any suggestions for Missouri?

Thanks in advance...
You could look at the reviews on MTBR (http://www.mtbr.com/trails/). There should be enough info there to get you close.

Sugar Bottom (http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Iowa/,Sugar,Bottom/PRD_167942_4547crx.aspx)

Berryman (http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Missouri/,Berryman,Trail/PRD_168765_4559crx.aspx)

Crowder (http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Missouri/,Crowder,State,Park/PRD_168781_4559crx.aspx)

Landahl (http://content.mtbr.com/pscTrails/United,States,Trails/Missouri/,Landahl,Trail/PRD_168799_4559crx.aspx)

[TML]

I'm heading south to Oklahoma this weekend and would like to stop at some trails along the way down and back... How would I find these trails you mentioned? Any suggestions for Missouri?

Thanks in advance...
Pat gave you a couple of good suggestions. I've heard great stuff about Crowder State Park and The Berryman(24 mile loop) and would recommend them, sight unseen. I have ridden Landahl and highly recommend it if you are traveling through Kansas City. Check out www.earthriders.com for other stuff in the KC area or http://www.gorctrails.com/ for info on the St. Louis area.

[Mateo]

Great... Sounds like we'll hit Crowder on the way down and the Sugar Bottoms on the way back.. Thanks for the suggestions..

James, I'd still love to check out the "River Bottom-like" trail near Des Moines you mentioned... What's the name or location of that trail?

[KleinCrazy]

Mateo.

I am guessing that you are taking I35 all the way down to KC.

As you head into Des Moines on I35 it will merge with I80 and head west.

Take the NW 2nd St. exit and head south. This will be the 2nd exit after the merge.

Take 2nd south the Eeat Euclid. Turn right on East Euclid and head west.

Drive on East Euclid until you cross the river. The trail head is on your right on the west side of the river.

Park in the Target Parking Lot. You will want to head North on the trail.

It is very hard to get lost as all you do is follow the river. About 2 miles in you will cross a road and then get to a gravel road like area. To the west of this open area are a bunch of singletrack up on the hills to the west.

Continue north from there along the gravel and/or singletrack. There should be signs and such directing you to the bridge crossing the river north of I80/I35. There is about 6 miles more singletrack east and north of this bridge. right after crossing it you will hang a sharp right and follow the water on singletrack.

Have fun and let me know how it is.

James

[mtbwanabe]

I road this trail may 19th and was a little dissapointed. It appeared that a 4-wheeler was used and there are alot of deep ruts. I road it between the rain for about 3 miles and decided it was too wet.




Mateo.

I am guessing that you are taking I35 all the way down to KC.

As you head into Des Moines on I35 it will merge with I80 and head west.

Take the NW 2nd St. exit and head south. This will be the 2nd exit after the merge.

Take 2nd south the Eeat Euclid. Turn right on East Euclid and head west.

Drive on East Euclid until you cross the river. The trail head is on your right on the west side of the river.

Park in the Target Parking Lot. You will want to head North on the trail.

It is very hard to get lost as all you do is follow the river. About 2 miles in you will cross a road and then get to a gravel road like area. To the west of this open area are a bunch of singletrack up on the hills to the west.

Continue north from there along the gravel and/or singletrack. There should be signs and such directing you to the bridge crossing the river north of I80/I35. There is about 6 miles more singletrack east and north of this bridge. right after crossing it you will hang a sharp right and follow the water on singletrack.

Have fun and let me know how it is.

James