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Fort Custer                   

All trails in the Fort Custer Recreation Area are multi-use. Please respect other trail users and follow posted trail etiquette. Mountain Bikers Yield to all other trail users. Hikers Yield to equestrians. Equestrians Yield to dogsleds. The Yellow Loop The Yellow Loop is slightly over eight miles in length. It has only one significant climb and no technical sections. It was designed as an easy tour of the park with several "bail-outs" if the whole eight miles is too much. Beginning at the trailhead, it starts as two track on an old Lawler street, turns right (2) onto another old street, crosses the Red Loop and continues to yet another old street (3) where it turns left and then right (4) onto singletrack. The trail runs downhill for about half a mile crossing the old Climax-Augusta Road before reaching the campground (5) and turning left onto old Reese Road. This two track climb returns you to the old Climax-Augusta Road where it turns right (6), taking the road to the southern edge of the park. At (7) the trail turns left, and down across a small bridge (8) where it merges with the Red Loop for a short distance. At the top of a short climb the Yellow Loop breaks away to the left (9) and into a flat section of single track. It emerges from the woods and enters a large meadow, takes a 180 turn (10) and makes a moderate climb before descending to rejoin the Red Loop very briefly (11). The Yellow breaks to the left at (11) and follows a two track on a long slightly downhill ride through the woods. A moderate climb (the biggest on the Yellow) merges back with the Red Loop (12) for the next mile and a half passing (13), (14) and (15) on the Freeway. The Trail splits to the left at (16) and runs slightly downhill for about one quarter mile crossing Reese Rd. at (17) and continues down a wide two-track. At the top of a small climb (18) bear to the left at this fork in the trail. The next 1/4 mile is through white pine woods past (18), (19), and (20) arriving back at the Trailhead. The Red Loop The Red Loop has the most technical sections, biggest climbs, and covers a distance of just under eight miles. Starting at the trailhead (1), The Trenches introduce you to one of the many unique features of The Fort. The Trenches were created as part of the training facilities for combat troops when the Fort was a military training base. Breaking out of The Trenches, you cross an old intersection and enter Rocks and Roots (3). This section is flat, but twisty. Exiting Rocks and Roots takes you to the stepped descent of The Gravel Pit. There is opportunity for plenty of speed and some air through this section. The trail then twists through dense underbrush before beginning a small climb (4). A quick descent is followed by the biggest hill - Cardiac Climb. At the top, the trail breaks out into the edge of a meadow (5). The second climb, CPR, is steep, but short. After a flat hundred yards, the trail takes a hard left (6) and enters Granny’s Garden - the most technical section in the Fort. A final downhill drop exits Granny’s (7) and begins the last big climb - DOA. A quarter mile later you reach a major intersection of trail options (8) with shortcut options if you’ve had enough. The Freeway starts at (9). This section is fairly flat with fast, wide turns,. The Freeway ends at the Whoop-Dee-Doos - a fast downhill with two large rollers. A quick climb (10) and a right (11) takes you into No Fear Chute - a fast downhill chicane. You will cross the Green loop at (12) - Reese Rd. and enter The Amusement Park. The trail meanders along Eagle Lake and exits at (14). A long downhill leads to The Peninsula (15), a flat, out-and-back on a finger that extends into Eagle Lake. Two quick turns at the end of The Peninsula (16) and you’re on the last section - Crazy Beaver! This section loops around a large spring-fed pond with great scenery and swans in the summer. There’s a couple of technical downhills and a final ride through another set of trenches before a short steep climb out (17) where a left will return you to the trailhead in about a quarter mile. The Green Loop The Green Loop circumnavigates Eagle Lake for a distance of just under eight miles. It has some pretty challenging sections and great views of Eagle Lake. It starts at the trailhead (1) as a two track for a quarter mile past (2) where it meets Reese Road. Turning left (3) takes you east along Reese Road for about half a mile, past a trail junction (4), across the Red Loop (5) and onto singletrack. The trail then begins climbing a steep series of technical switchbacks. At the top, it continues as meandering singletrack with mild changes in elevation. It then begins a decent that culminates in a fast downhill crossing a small brook down to the edge of Eagle Lake, and then up a double switchback climb. The trail makes a ninety-degree left and runs right along the military fence for a hundred feet or so. It then twists tightly through the woods and across a second small brook. It skirts the edge of a large meadow, and up a gradual climb through a stand of Blue Spruce. The trail then crosses Harmonia Road (6) and travels to the north edge of the park before doubling back, re-crossing Harmonia (7) via a fun downhill with narrow sweeps through the trees. A short climb precedes a straight and fast downhill that breaks into a grassy meadow. Another climb and a very twisty downhill takes you to the very edge of Eagle Lake. This is a high use area for hiking along the lake. The trail meets the Boat Launch at (8) and then climbs back into the trees briefly before a break out into a long narrow meadow that runs slightly downhill with wide sweeping turns for about half a mile. Then it’s back into the woods before crossing Harmonia Rd. again and entering Sniper’s reroute (12). This is a very tight, technical section with a couple of big log pile challenges before dropping down to cross Harmonia Rd. (13) for the fourth time. The last section of singletrack winds through a stand of pine, before crossing the main park road (14), up an embankment, and along a half mile of two track returning you to the trailhead parking lot. The Blue Loop The Blue Loop begins at the Whitford Lake parking lot rather than the Trailhead. The trail winds around Whitford-Lawler Lakes, and Jackson Hole and is actually two loops with a common section between the two lakes. There are no technical sections, but several moderate climbs and descents. The trail begins just south of the parking lot (to the right of the toilets). It starts as singletrack skirting the south side of Whitford Lake and along open fields which are planted and left standing for waterfowl. In the spring a pair of Sandhill Cranes can often be seen performing their mating dance - a truly fascinating sight. The trail then passes an old homestead. The foundations to the house, barn and outbuildings, as well as the silo are all that remain of the structures. Lilac bushes, cherry trees, and flowers planted by the former owners bloom in the early spring. The trail then crosses a small brook, which is dry most of the year. After climbing a short steep hill, the trail forks (2). Stay to the left. The trail follows a ridge above Lawler Lake then makes a descent, a climb, a descent and another climb before crossing a dirt road (3). Follow the trail past a hand-pump (you can get a refill on water here) and past one of the rental cabins to marker (4). The trail then descends a steep rooted section to a junction (5). Going left will shortcut between Whitford Lake and Jackson Hole rejoining the trail at the boat launch parking lot (10). Taking a right at (5), the trail continues with short ups and downs for another half mile. It then crosses a bridge (6) and turns back toward the parking lot. Continuing through the woods, the trail intersects with a two track from the campground (7). It crosses a meadow and a two track to a small boat launch on Jackson Hole (8). Back into the woods the trail skirts the south edge of the Campground. It dumps out onto the gravel access road to the Whitford and Jackson Hole boat launches (9). Hopping back on singletrack the trail returns you to the Whitford Lake parking lot.

Network: Southwest

Trail Miles: 20

Entry Fees: Resident: $6/daily, $24/annual. Non-resident: $8/daily, $29/annual

Forum Thread: Link

Trail Web Site: Link

Trail Maps:
mastermap.pdf

Directions: From the West: Take I94 East to exit 85 (Galesburg exit). Head north on 35th street to M96. You will see a sign to Ft. Custer. Go through Galesburg, and follow M96 until you see the park on the South side of the Street From the East: Take I94 West to exit 95 (Helmer Road) and head North a few miles (past the airport to the west) and go left (West) at 37 (which is actually Dickman road). Travel west about 6 miles, past the Ft. Custer military base to the South, and keep a lookout for the entrance to Ft. Custer Recreational Area on the left (South).

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