View Full Version : Rock Lake
September 1st we rode the Rock Lake cluster and it was in nearly perfect condition regardless of the heavy rains they must have gotten. There are several new connector trails with perfect rock steps and curves that lets you avoid more of the double track and makes it that much more fun to ride. There were no trees down anywhere and the trails are on the dry side of tacky. Big bonus, no mosquitos or black flies with the temps in the 70's and full sun I thought there would be some black flies. Be sure to take a map from the Rock Lake trailhead as some of the Camba signs and trails are new.
soupboy
09-03-2007, 09:59 PM
Awesome. Thanks for the heads up. That's a great trail.
ryno lite
09-16-2007, 07:26 PM
I was speaking to the Trail Steward for Rock Lake/Namekogan this past weekend and got the lowdown from him. Sounds like there is currently about 13 miles of Rock Lake singletrack and 5 miles of Namekogan singletrack but as we all have heard, it is a work in progress. He has approval for an additional 12 miles of singletrack in that area, so CAMBA will continue to add singletrack in this area for years to come! It will take some time though, they are a small crew and try to build as much as they can. Great job CAMBA! You do a great job!
Also, for all you technical riders out there, they will continue to sneak a few more more technical features out there on the trails, so there are some great things to look forward to!
We just rode this over the weekend and I have to say.....WOW.. the colors were prestine, the trail was prestine...we rode 5 hours and loved every minute..a few 'o my G@@.. we're not going to get out on time..... but we did. GO HERE IF YOU CAN IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKENDS.
I was speaking to the Trail Steward for Rock Lake/Namekogan this past weekend and got the lowdown from him. Sounds like there is currently about 13 miles of Rock Lake singletrack and 5 miles of Namekogan singletrack but as we all have heard, it is a work in progress. He has approval for an additional 12 miles of singletrack in that area, so CAMBA will continue to add singletrack in this area for years to come! It will take some time though, they are a small crew and try to build as much as they can. Great job CAMBA! You do a great job!
Also, for all you technical riders out there, they will continue to sneak a few more more technical features out there on the trails, so there are some great things to look forward to!
We rode there this weekend and found Jeff Jackson's driver's license on the Rock Lake trail. We got in touch and met up at New Moon Bike Shop and he said he was very involved with the new trails in progress. There is a lot to look forward to in this area and they will be expanding and adding new systems. Sweet!
We just rode this over the weekend and I have to say.....WOW.. the colors were prestine, the trail was prestine...we rode 5 hours and loved every minute..a few 'o my G@@.. we're not going to get out on time..... but we did. GO HERE IF YOU CAN IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKENDS.
I wish I would have known you were going, we could have hooked up!
Uncle Leo
10-01-2007, 03:44 PM
ToddJ and I rode Rock Lake on Friday.
His first time, my second. Awesome trail, I would recommend anybody that hasn't hit the CAMBA trails to check it out. It's cool to see how much fun a naturally technical trail can be. Especially the Hildebrand Lake loop - 2.4 miles of rocks, hills, switchbacks and fun.
Next year the plan is to go earlier so we can actually SEE the trail (it was under the leaves somewhere).
toddj
10-01-2007, 04:18 PM
Who would think three hours of pure hell could be so much FUN?!
martini
10-02-2007, 09:30 AM
Ha! we had a group up there too. Seems like it was a popular place last weekend. Rode RL on Sunday. I was the guy walking around town with a traumatized left cheek. Seemed my story was travelling around as some of the locals 'knew' me.
I agree Rock Lake was a total kick in the pants. MUCH MUCH better than it was back in the day.
devo kenivel
10-02-2007, 05:23 PM
how does this stack up to levis?
ryno lite
10-02-2007, 05:26 PM
how does this stack up to levis?
Both places have their advantages and disadvantages. I like CAMBA trails better than Levis. Both are cool though.
CAMBA advantages:
1. more mileage
2. I like the trails better
3. more things to do near trails
Levis advantages:
1. Trails all accessible from one trailhead
2. camping at trailhead
3. good views
CAMBA also has many new miles of singletrack planned for the coming years, so it will only get better.
how does this stack up to levis?
Rock Lake and connecting trails from that trailhead will take you around some very scenic lakes and through beautiful forests. Depending on how you ride it, you can usually get 28 to 30 miles. Most is now singletrack which can be twisting and tight in areas with much less sand, but more rocks then Levis. Around Patsy Lake there is more doubletrack. Also the elevation is not there at Rock Lake compared to climbing to the top of the Levis mounds where you'll see those great vistas. The rocks at Levis to me are slippery with a constant feeling of sand on them. The rocks at Rock Lake are more angular and maybe larger and placed on the trail at points, but completely stable. I would say the biggest difference is most of Rock Lake has very little sand and no washed out trails. Some of the climbing at Levis is impossible with the sand in the corners, you won't find that at Rock Lake.
devo kenivel
10-02-2007, 08:30 PM
Sweet!!! Thanks ya'll. I have heard good things about RL but have never been because Levis is awesome. Did you guys say that you should get a map or something of Rock Lake before going? I know that Levis is kind of crazy to get around but with a map it's extremely do-able.
There are maps at the Rock Lake trailhead. Check out the link below which is the Namakagon Cluster (my fav). Rock Lake is at the bottom and each trail has a PDF link for the map (also at the trailhead). You should try and do all of these, which will get you to about 30 miles, there are new connector trails too. I hope you have a great time!
http://www.cambatrails.org/camba-bin/camba_trails1.cgi/?feed_trail=Namakagon%20Cluster
ryno lite
10-02-2007, 10:23 PM
Check out the Fish Hatchery trails out of Hayward. They are pretty cool also. Easy to follow and maps at the trailhead, plus maps and signposts on the trail. Ojibwe is also pretty cool. Plenty of singletrack up there!
devo kenivel
10-02-2007, 11:27 PM
Thanks guys. I'm super big into really flowy and technical stuff. Hopefully that's what these have :banana:
Fast1
10-02-2007, 11:29 PM
Any suggestions on the best route to take in getting there from the Twin Cities?
TrailPatrol
10-03-2007, 04:58 PM
Any suggestions on the best route to take in getting there from the Twin Cities?
Take I-35 to Forest Lake, head east on Hwy. 8 through St. Croix Falls to Hwy. 63 in WI. Get on 63 (Left turn) and take it north to Cable. Turn right at the main intersection in Cable, and go about 8 miles east to the Rock Lake trailhead (Well marked by USFS). Ojibwe is located via Telemark, turn south 3 miles outside of Cable on Co Rd. M. Mosquito Brook/Fish Hatchery Trails are a right turn just past the Hayward KOA, off Hwy. 63, 3 miles north of Hayward.
OR you can take I-35 to the Grantsburg/Hwy 70 exit, and take 70 to Spooner and get on Hwy. 63 there.
Or you can Google-map it yourself.
Great riding...wish I wasn't busy this weekend! Colors should be near peak up there, too!
Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans
Fast1
10-03-2007, 08:07 PM
thanks,,, have map quested it but thought
about heading out 94 east into WI and then north on 63
Has anyone tried that route out?
hockeynut
10-03-2007, 08:14 PM
Has anyone tried that route out?
That works too... I'm sure you can find a way to come in from the north as well if you'd like (was that sarcastic enough for ya?). I think by going the 94 route you might go through a couple more 25 mph towns, but other than that it'll get you to your final destination (and is the way I've gone minus the trek on 94... I just take 63 north from Red Wing).
TrailPatrol
10-03-2007, 09:36 PM
thanks,,, have map quested it but thought
about heading out 94 east into WI and then north on 63
Has anyone tried that route out?
That would be the longest route. I go to Cable a half-dozen times each year. Trust me; from the Twin Cities, the two routes I gave were the shortest.
Fast1
10-03-2007, 09:53 PM
That would be the longest route. I go to Cable a half-dozen times each year. Trust me; from the Twin Cities, the two routes I gave were the shortest.
I realize it may be a slightly further distance wise however the traffic near Taylors Falls on a nice fall weekend with colorfull leaves could spell a slow drive...
Have you driven the route I mentioned?
TrailPatrol
10-03-2007, 10:38 PM
I realize it may be a slightly further distance wise however the traffic near Taylors Falls on a nice fall weekend with colorfull leaves could spell a slow drive...
Have you driven the route I mentioned?
I came down Hwy 63 from Cable a few years back, headed to Merillan (Levis-Trow) I would not do it from this direction. Gas is too expensive. If you want to avoid the leaf peeper traffic, take the route through Grantsburg to Spooner and up. That keeps you on 70 MPH I-35 for about 50 more miles before heading out on the 55 MPH roads.
It's your choice.
:banana:
Hans
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