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The trail building wizards must have used all of their magic on this phenomenal flow trail.


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Map Key

4.0

Miles

6.4

KM

Singletrack

5,386' 1,642 m

High

4,806' 1,465 m

Low

705' 215 m

Up

704' 215 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

Built in 2014, Merlin View followed the successful build of Bobcat the previous year and it shares the same trademark features: consistent grades for easier climbing and flowing descents, sweeping bermed corners, rollers, bumps & table-tops. It has some good views too, but you're likely to be too engaged by the trail to notice!

Easily accessed from the trailhead via Braggin' Rights, Merlin View is a loop that can be ridden in either direction and combines seamlessly with Braggin' Rights to create a fairly easy & shortish (14km) ride. You could also add Merlin to the traditional Northern Flow loop (15km) for some extra climbing. Choosing to ride Merlin View counter-clockwise gives you the shorter (2km, 9%) climb and the longer (3km, 6%) descent.

From the Braggin' Rights/Reconnect junction head West into the long meadow/cut-line and turn Right to begin the climb (if you're riding counter-clockwise). The trail follows this cut-line for the next kilometre, snaking back and forth through the trees on either side, until it reaches a big meadow. There a bench made from boulders that offers a chance for a rest at this mid-point on the climb, and you can take in the views to the South & East.

The trail then enters the trees and after a short, rock-armoured section it climbs to the summit before following the ridge for 500m. It dips briefly and crests another minor summit before the descent begins in earnest - and it continues for the next 3km!

The descent is punctuated by all sorts of berms & bumps etc. to add to the fun, but there's nothing that interrupts the flow or demands advanced riding skills.

Eventually, the trail emerges into a meadow/cut-line again, and finally climbs (via one switchback in the trees) up the cut-line back to the Braggin' Rights junction. Take the Right turn there to return directly to the trailhead.

Contacts

Shared By:

Paul Lindfield

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 13 votes

#987

Overall
  4.8 from 13 votes
5 Star
77%
4 Star
23%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Alberta

#987

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,924 Since Oct 11, 2014
Intermediate Intermediate

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Photos

Merlin View berms
Oct 12, 2014 near Cochrane, AB
Rock-armoured section on Merlin View
Oct 12, 2014 near Cochrane, AB
Descending Merlin View
Oct 12, 2014 near Cochrane, AB
The view from the boulder bench
Oct 12, 2014 near Cochrane, AB

0 Comments

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 12 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 15, 2020
Lucas Desautels
Very flowy and fast, extremely fun 4mi — 1h 30m
Jul 23, 2017
Spur 4life
Dec 3, 2015
luis velandia
Oct 13, 2014
David Mills
Best done counter-clockwise for maximum grins.
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