Bauerle Ranch Park Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

A fast loop with varying terrain from fast hard pack to rocky, dry creek crossings. This trail works well for working on speed and control and light climbing, as nothing is too difficult. The trail is typically well maintained with taller grasses taking over the lower sections in the late summer months. Watch for hikers and their dogs as well as many tame deer. This ride is not good during wet weeks and is prone to extreme flash flooding.

The trail can be accessed from several trailheads including Squirrel Hollow, Currin Ln & Alsatia Dr, Lavendale Ct. For this course description, I'll start from the Squirrel Hollow entrance, which will start you on Emergency Access Rd. There's a dirt path directly to the right of the gate that is open to hikers and cyclists.

After traveling east on Emergency Access Rd., you'll take the Bird's Nest Trail on your left. You'll start in tall grass then transition into the tree line and onto a winding trail that is scattered with small rocks, roots, and small banked turns. This section has lots of cuts and turns and is pretty flat. It will gently begin to slope downhill and then open into a field with fast gravel.

The trail will fork 100' into the clearing and you'll want to the bank to the right and enter into the tree line again and enter Bauerle Creek Trail. The trail will continue to drop with small hills and gentle turns until you reach the pond on your left and you cross the concrete spillway. This can all be taken with speed that you can carry through the slight incline that will exit the woods and back into a field. The trail will wind through the field and then open up to a road bridge that you'll want to go under.

Follow the trail across dry creek and along the edge. Continue to wind along the side of the creek and into the tree line. This will tuck and wind for 1/4 mile; then you'll get to a four-way split. Take Coyote Run Trail on your right; there is a wooden trail sign to point you in the right direction. Coyote Run Trail is hard pack and flat. Watch for hidden low limbs that will pop you in the head; it doesn't feel great.

The trail will cross Alsatia Trail and Garrick Creek Trail which are perpendicular trails, and you'll want to go straight over both of them and onto Whistling Duck Trail which will take you under a large live oak with exposed roots and a bench. The trail will start climbing into a flowing section as it runs parallel to the dry creek bed. The next fork will either take you across the creek on your left, or up a hill on the right; stay right and start cranking up the hill on to Cactus Ridge Trail as it winds through trees and into another clearing where the trail will fork, stay right and continue climbing. The trail will fork once more, and you'll want to stay left which will take you to the start.