The Lovit trail is a 48 mile singletrack trail (one-way) running near the shores of Ouachita. It incorporates some short sections of road to make the connections, but is mostly a singletrack route.
Q: Hi, I am riding this trail starting from the eastern most Parking lot near the Blakley Dam. I will be riding alone, although I plan on meeting up with my wife who will drive to one of the roads around midpoint. How well is this trail marked? Is it easy to get lost? Cell service? Thank you for ANY advice or help, Paul.
I did this trail a few months ago with a friend. We went from Crystal Springs to Blakely Dam. There was a very steep climb that my rear tire (and legs) couldn't handle. If you're on XC tires, expect to be walking your bike up some of the climbs. Also, this trail is best ridden by someone who is in good physical shape. If ridden in the summer, beware of spiders. I will be riding this trail in the fall from now on. Overall, it was a quality trail. It was challenging, but rewarding to know I made it about half the length of the lake.
Started at Denby, the first 3 miles to Tompkins has some steep, short climbs. Wife and I had to push a few of the climbs. The next 5 miles on the peninsula was much flatter with no real buster climbs. Sweet. You can make a loop out of that section.
Never got a chance to ride more, but I think the bigger climbs are there to the east.
Still, very nice flowy singletrack.
Highly recommended.
This trail is a true cross country experience. We did an out & back from the dam trailhead. Many twists and turns, climbs & descents. The old logging roads were too steep and not interesting but the singletrack was great fun.
A challenge reward type trail. Incudes five mountains with tough uphills then rewards with rewarding downhills and great views of lake & Mountains. Lots of trailhead access and good places to stay. An IMBA Epic well deserved.
I've ridden the LOVIT from Denby to the top of Hickory Nut. It is such a sweet trail. From Denby to Joplin is mostly singletrack with some great flow and good views of the lake. I park at Denby, where there are now nice bathrooms, and for a quick ride take the road back from Joplin, which is only a few miles. Past Joplin is a dirt road climb, then down across Iron Creek (I think) which is a pretty technical area. The trail then tees into a double track. Take a right to continue to Hickory Nut Mtn. The climb up is pretty brutal, especially near the top where it's steep with lots of loose rock.
I can't wait to ride the rest of this trail, especially the new stuff on Bear Mtn.
Also, pair a ride on the LOVIT with with the Womble for a truly epic weekend (both are epics now).
Section 3 (Crystal Springs) is complete. Now, when you ride down to the CR47/47A intersection, continue East on CR47 for about 0.1 mile and pick up the LOViT on the South side of the road, continue to the Pipe Spring, and continue the ride North to Crystal Springs or South to the Charlton campground via the Charlton Trail.
I only rate this DIAMOND because of the climb up Hickory Nut.
Climbing over two mountains is strenuous, but the occasional view of the lake make you realize your altitude gain. I walked all creek crossings since this is no place I want to risk an injury. You're more likely to see turkey or deer rather than another person on any of these trails in this area. I would have given this trail an overall 5 except the new section along the north side of Bear was machine cut with an 8 ft blade without a lot of imagination. It would have been nice if the trail had been made into a loop over the top and back down to Bear Creek, but current plans are to take the trail out towards the dam which will probably require a shuttle.
I did this trail a few months ago with a friend. We went from Crystal Springs to Blakely Dam. There was a very steep climb that my rear tire (and legs) couldn't handle. If you're on XC tires, expect to be walking your bike up some of the climbs. Also, this trail is best ridden by someone who is in good physical shape. If ridden in the summer, beware of spiders. I will be riding this trail in the fall from now on. Overall, it was a quality trail. It was challenging, but rewarding to know I made it about half the length of the lake.
| ThankModerate to strenuous ride. Great views. I rode Brady - Crystal - Brady one day during Thanksgiving week 2016.
| ThankRode Brady-Crystal-Brady 2916-11-21. Strenuous in places. Good workout. Epic ride. Some technical places. Highly recommended.
| ThankBrady-Crystal-Brady 2016-11-21. Great ride. Steep, technical in places. Hard climbs. Fast descents. Several tight switchbacks.
| ThankStarted at Denby, the first 3 miles to Tompkins has some steep, short climbs. Wife and I had to push a few of the climbs. The next 5 miles on the peninsula was much flatter with no real buster climbs. Sweet. You can make a loop out of that section.
| ThankNever got a chance to ride more, but I think the bigger climbs are there to the east.
Still, very nice flowy singletrack.
Highly recommended.
Brady to Avery. Out & back. Great ride. Some steep sections. Some sections with grapefruit size rocks.
| ThankThis trail is a true cross country experience. We did an out & back from the dam trailhead. Many twists and turns, climbs & descents. The old logging roads were too steep and not interesting but the singletrack was great fun.
| ThankA challenge reward type trail. Incudes five mountains with tough uphills then rewards with rewarding downhills and great views of lake & Mountains. Lots of trailhead access and good places to stay. An IMBA Epic well deserved.
| ThankI've ridden the LOVIT from Denby to the top of Hickory Nut. It is such a sweet trail. From Denby to Joplin is mostly singletrack with some great flow and good views of the lake. I park at Denby, where there are now nice bathrooms, and for a quick ride take the road back from Joplin, which is only a few miles. Past Joplin is a dirt road climb, then down across Iron Creek (I think) which is a pretty technical area. The trail then tees into a double track. Take a right to continue to Hickory Nut Mtn. The climb up is pretty brutal, especially near the top where it's steep with lots of loose rock.
| ThankI can't wait to ride the rest of this trail, especially the new stuff on Bear Mtn.
Also, pair a ride on the LOVIT with with the Womble for a truly epic weekend (both are epics now).
Section 3 (Crystal Springs) is complete. Now, when you ride down to the CR47/47A intersection, continue East on CR47 for about 0.1 mile and pick up the LOViT on the South side of the road, continue to the Pipe Spring, and continue the ride North to Crystal Springs or South to the Charlton campground via the Charlton Trail.
| ThankI only rate this DIAMOND because of the climb up Hickory Nut.
Climbing over two mountains is strenuous, but the occasional view of the lake make you realize your altitude gain. I walked all creek crossings since this is no place I want to risk an injury. You're more likely to see turkey or deer rather than another person on any of these trails in this area. I would have given this trail an overall 5 except the new section along the north side of Bear was machine cut with an 8 ft blade without a lot of imagination. It would have been nice if the trail had been made into a loop over the top and back down to Bear Creek, but current plans are to take the trail out towards the dam which will probably require a shuttle.
| ThankA very enjoyable ride with some climbing. Mostly beginner rated except for intermediate climbing grade on some sections.* Review edited 5/23/2012
| Thank