Fort Custer

[Laser4G63]

Hi all,

I live in Jackson and want to venture over to Fort Custer and ride those trails. Is there anything I need to know about them? Best place to park and ride? Never been there and just want to have some knowledge about the trails before I ride them. Thanks to all that give me some info/tips.

[spwrozek]

There is a designated parking spot. The green and the red trails are the ones to ride. The yellow and blue are easy and not so much mountain biking.

I am also in Jackson and I head over there on some Sunday mornings. Also if you are down we have a group ride of about 10 people at sharp park on mondays at 6 pm (no drop ride).

[Laser4G63]

I might try and make one of the Monday night rides at Ella Sharp. I usually try and get my rides in the morning while it's cooler. Though, that really hasn't been much of an issue this summer, until recently.

Are there good climbs out at the Fort? Like I said, never been there and looking for some harder trails to ride in the area with some decent climbs. Just got back from vacation and rode several trails up north and they kinda spoiled me

[Briana]

There are a couple of good hills on each loop. There are four loops, two fairly easy... one 5 miles the other 6 miles
then there are two loops that have many advanced sections... each about 9 miles give or take... Red and green are more challenging, the yellow basically does the red without any tough stuff and the blue is a nice warm up style ride through the campground and around two lakes.

I ride very often and live 6 miles away, hollar if you would like a tour... Briana 269-275-0495

[AJG]

If you're looking for a group ride the Thursday night 6.30pm ride is a lot of fun. Briana is also a great tour guide of the Fort.

As far as other info you might need .... there's a state park fee to enter. The trailhead is easy to find. Watch out for fresh horse bombs. There's a bike shop (Custer Cyclery) and a spot to grab a beer and a burger (Players?) about 3/4 mile away from the Fort.

It's my "home spot" to ride and even though I'm just a beginner, I do love it out there. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If you see blood stains on any rocks while riding, they are most likely mine. Wave and say hello.

[Laser4G63]

Thanks for all the info. I always get an annual state park permit, so that's not a problem. I might head up there either this Fri or Sat in the morning since summer finally arrived and it might be near 90 those days. Thanks again.

[grtpmkn]

it's a good time out there laser4g3. briana gave me a tour about 2 weeks ago and i had a riot. have gone back once since with my kiddos, plan on going again at least once or twice this month while i am laid off. bought the yearly park pass as well. anyway, just had to share my two cents....and briana, i will be calling you again soon to ride

[Briana]

cool, please do! Glad it was enjoyable for the family as well!

[JRP]

Anybody rode Ft Custer this week? Wondering about the trail conditions with the freeze/thaw we have been having every nite this week. Im sure its ridable in morning when frozen but work wont let me do mornings. Is it too soft in the afternoon/evening?

[jonw9]

This was posted today by somebody via Facebook:

"Hitting the Fort on the Single Speed in the morning at 9:30 if anyone has the time free and wants to get a ride in before the trail thaws out. Thaw sets in around 11 so we should still have time to get in a good ride before it gets too soft."

EDIT: Looks like they will be riding tomorrow at 9:30 again.

[JRP]

thanx for the info. I might be able to get out 2mrw morn but not sure. I kinda fly by the seat of my pants. Hopefully this weekend it will be good to go and i can get there. Where is 70 degree weather anyway? So much for global warming. Thanx for nothing al gore

[Cannn2ride]

Rode the fort this past Thursday.... Trails are getting better.... Went like 3 weeks ago and there was still snow and ice...

[crashnburn21]

I'm planning on making a trek up to Custer tomorrow night to camp and ride saturday. Does anyone have a recent update on the trails? Are they thawed, draining well, etc.?

Please post up if you've ridden lately.

[crashnburn21]

Planning on making a trip up to Custer today for camping and riding all day tomorrow.

Has anyone been out on the trails recently and can comment on their condition? Are they draining well? Are they thawed?

Please post up if you have any info, I'd hate to make a 3 hour trek and not ride

[Cannn2ride]

Went Saturday... Trails were good... Rode green trail.,. Other than a few horse mines... Trails were great!