Meades Quarry Loop

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Totally in the Meade's Quarry section of Ijams Nature Center. If you want to get a more technical ride, do the lower end of Turnbuckle instead of the gravel go around.

This area has a lot of clay and does not drain well. Lower sections like Lower Turnbuckle and Hickory are particularly bad when wet. Trail improvements are being made continually to improve the wet spots. Please avoid when wet.

This ride starts off with a quick climb on gravel Imeries Trail. At the first intersection, turn right towards the Keyhole on the gravel access. Look for a trail on the right at the bottom of the hill.

Start a long, gradual climb up to the overlook. When you reach the top, keep an eye out for the huge tree on the left. Just past the tree you'll come to an old stone wall. In the winter there is a great view into the quarry. Just past the wall you must make a decision, technical or not. Left drops to a little shelf with a short, rocky climb up to intersect with the easier trail in about 100 yards. Enjoy your reward for climbing on rolling singletrack that gradually tends downhill. The steepest drop is the last couple hundred feet back to Imeries again.

Turn left and start the longest climb in the park. Just past the old building foundations, turn right onto Burnett Ridge Trail. Switchback up to the top. Don't worry, the lowest part of this trail is the steepest. Enjoy the flow while gaining elevation. Look for some very large oak, hickory and poplar trees on your way to the top. The trail crosses the top of the hill and you get a long, almost all downhill run to the intersection with Turnbuckle trail.

Turn left on Turnbuckle and keep going down. Be aware there is about a 100' drop on your left all the way down. Turnbuckle has some technical features so don't go all out. A rocky section will be followed by a very narrow sidehill section followed by a 180 degree bridge. A brief climb coming off the bridge and you'll see Imeries Trail on your left again. Stay right and enjoy. The trail touches Imeries again but stay to the right on Turnbuckle. Just past the big bridge, Turnbuckle dumps you on Imeries once more. At the bottom of the hill make the choice, left (race route) on the gravel or right into a the most technical section in the park. If you follow the gravel, look for the right turn onto another gravel road.

Take the first trail to the right. This is the upper most section of the Flow Trail. After about 100 yards, pass Lower Turnbuckle and take a right onto the powerline. Cross two hills and look for trail to your left. That will put you on Amber Trail. Keep to the right until you get to the top of the hill. At the top stay straight (rt. will exit the park). Curl around the huge oak tree at the bottom and turn right onto the Hickory Trail.

The next mile winds its way through big trees and sections of rock with a few bridges thrown in. Look for the log ride and show your skill. Stay right until you come to the powerline again. If you're not racing, go straight across and follow Flow down the hill. In the race, turn right onto the powerline and then left at the gate. Look for Flow on your right. Flow has humps, berms and skinny bridges all the way back to the parking lot!

This area was a working marble quarry until around 1974. The marble was excellent quality and was shipped worldwide.