Pine Log WMA Loop #1

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

This is a challenging "old school" singletrack and forest road loop that offers a great introduction to what the Pine Log WMA has to offer.

Know your limits. Please don't do anything stupid. Be sure to read the restrictions section of this page.

This is a challenging loop through the Pine Log Wildlife Management Area. Be sure to read all trail descriptions and view pictures and video before attempting. This is not for inexperienced or out of shape riders. The trails can be hard to see at times and are very remote. Be sure to use the MTB Project mobile app to know where you are—you do not want to miss a turn. There are no signs or trail markings. Know your limits as medical help is a long way off and another person may not come by for days or weeks.

Head northeast from the parking area up Grassy Hollow Road to Donahue Road. Turn left. Immediately after crossing Stamp Creek, look for the Baby Heads Trail on your right on the back side of the primitive camping area. Baby Heads Trail is a great gauge to determine if riders should continue. If you are not comfortable riding this section, turn back, as it is by far the easiest portion of the ride.

Upon exiting Baby Heads Trail, ride through the campsites and back up to Donahue Road. Make a right turn, ride past the Hanging Mountain Logging Road exit and make a left onto Ridgeline Trail.

Once you turn onto Ridgeline Trail, it's a long, strenuous climb to the top of Hanging Mountain. An early rock garden will challenge you technically and can make the trail hard to follow. This is good practice for later. Once on the ridge, ride past the Hanging Mountain Eastside Downhill Run (stay on the ridge) to the top of Hanging Mountain and prepare to drop your seatpost. The drop from Hanging Mountain to the Ridgeline Trail - Pine Log Gap Road Downhill is steep and rocky. Ride straight past this intersection and begin looking for the Wet & Wild Trail on your right. This intersection is particularly hard to see.

The ride down from the ridge on the Wet & Wild Trail is a blast, and includes a technical rock garden, muddy sections and a number of creek crossings (see pictures). All crossings are normally rideable, but should not be underestimated. Wet & Wild Trail takes you back to Donahue Road where you'll make a right and retrace the route through Baby Heads Trail and back to your vehicle. You can skip Baby Heads Trail and stay on Donahue Road all the way to Grassy Hollow Road, but that would be wimpy.

Have fun, and be safe.

The land was once used to mine iron ore. A historic iron works furnace is located near the parking.