Locust Shade Perimeter Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Drops/Jumps

This route takes you on the perimeter trails at Locust Shade Park. With the exception of the Col Du Shade (Advanced), trails are bi-directional and multi-use. Once you ride this loop, venture into the internal trails.

The Col du Shade is a directional bike only trail. 95th Street, the new advanced trail will include multiple wood features, including progressive drops, skinnies and jumps.

The best way to enjoy this ride is to park in the second lot as you enter the park (second left). There is an outdated trail map and a large "John Palmer Trail" sign at the starting point along the far end of the lot. When looking at the sign, head out on the doubletrack to the left, this is a portion of the Potomac National Heritage Scenic Trail.

Shortly after venturing on the doubletrack, you'll make a left onto Bolitas, the new beginner trail at Locust Shade, to the right is a narrow bridge that allows you to access the "internal" trails. From here on out, you'll be making pretty much all left turns to stay on the outermost perimeter trails until you reach the exit point of Bolitas.

Bolitas will take you to a stream crossing. Once you cross the stream, stay to the left and then once again turn left to cross another narrow stream. The second stream crossing is no more than 30 yards from the first. Stay to the left at the fork and then once again left at the next fork. The second left will take you across a short bridge and onto Paw Paw Alley.

Paw Paw Alley will take you to the Russel Road power line crossing. You'll turn left to get onto the power lines and then follow the trail to the right and then left again to enter the tree line and onto Atomic. You can also continue straight on "Breaker Breaker" and then at the next intersection make a left and then another left to descend along "Power". This will take you right back to the Russel Road power line crossing where you can access Atomic. Shortly after the Atomic Boardwalk, you'll reach the Powerline Loop. This trail is currently blazed teal (soon to change). Turn left and then left again to reach the entry of the Col Du Shade (Advanced), the "lower advanced MTB" trail. The Col is directional and has two wood features and lots of narrow twisty singletrack. This trail is not "technically" difficult, but it is highly demanding, your focus and stamina will definitely be put to the test.

The exit point of the Col will put you back on the Powerline Loop, just as before, turn left. After a short downhill, continue to the left to access the upper (I-95) powerline crossing. Shortly after crossing the powerlines (you guessed it), turn left to cross over the small bridge and begin a short climb along Breaker Breaker to the intersection of Big Phallacy and the entry area to the upper advanced MTB trail, 95th Street.

This intersection has multiple log stacks that are super fun to play on and to test your riding skills. The entry to 95th Street also has a short log skinny. This portion of the trail will soon change and additional features will be added as "qualifiers" for what's to come along on 95th Street. Again, stay left to climb to the top of 95th Street. For this loop, we will continue to the left and ride down a 1,000-foot bench cut; use caution here, this is a two-way trail and uphill riders have the right of way. Control your speed!

At the base of the bench, continue to the left (the trail to the right is one way, so you should definitely not enter it). Shortly after the last left turn, you'll reach the "exit" point of Bolitas. A left turn will take you over the bridge and the start of this loop.

From here, it is recommended you continue straight and begin exploring the internal trails, including Big Phallacy, Tutti Fruitty, Breaker Breaker and Power Up and Down under the power lines.

Plans are in the works for a trailhead kiosk (including a bike repair stand) and detailed and clear signage throughout the system.

As with any trail in the region, please do not ride it after heavy rains or when wet and please keep the singletrack single. Please don't widen the new trail! Alternate lines have been and are being planned around the advanced features, please use them if you want to avoid the features!

If you have any questions or if you come across any trail hazards (e.g. a downed tree) please contact MORE's trail liaison at LocustShade@more-mtb.org for information.

Locust Shade Park was an underutilized park in the southern portion of Prince William County in VA, with approximately 2 miles of trails, including a power line loop and two connector trails blazed red. The Red trail was (is) an unsustainable fall line trail with drastic elevation changes and erosion issues. In 2017 MORE volunteers began working with Prince William County to flag two advanced trails, a beginner trail and an intermediate corridor. The lower advanced trail, the Col du Shade, was completed in the summer of 2020. While the Col was under construction, volunteers flagged and cleared the corridor for a new beginner trail, Bolitas. Bolitas was opened in late 2020. At the same time MORE volunteers flagged and cleared an additional three miles for an intermediate corridor and a new upper advanced MTB trail, 95th Street. The cleared corridor has been opened and rideable since December 2020. The new advanced trail, 95th Street will be officially open in October 2020.