Buffaloes, Devils, Pigeons and Wombles: Mountain Biking Arkansas Style

March, 2002 - Mark and Lora of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Arkansas in March. During the week-and-a-half they were there, the crew met some great people, spread the word on sound trailbuilding techniques and visited some incredible riding locales. Mark and Lora offered their perspective on six different Arkansas trail systems in 11 days! Thank you to Don West, and the entire state of Arkansas, for making our visit very memorable.

Check the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew schedule to learn when you can help build trails in your backyard.

Here is a sampling of Arkansas's mountain biking treasures:

Buffalo Headwaters, in the Ozark National Forest, was the first stop. There is an existing network of about 30 miles of trail that the forest service is interested in opening to the public. With a little work and some proper signage this will become an incredible place to ride, with spectacular scenery.
Back in the 1930's, the Civilian Conservation Corps was established, to provide employment to young men and to improve America's natural treasures. In Lake Leatherwood City Park near Eureka Springs, the CCC built this dam, which has been incorporated into the trail system.
The Trailbuilding School took place in Devils Den State Park. After the classroom session, the crew led volunteers in a trail maintenance day.
After a hard day of work it's nice to take a break. Here Mark and Don, IMBA's Arkansas Regional Rep, relax after a job well done.
Mt. Home has an incredible trail system built on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land. The Pigeon Creek trail system has a good range of beginner, intermediate and expert trails built using natural, and some man-made, structures. Here Mark shows us how Canadians ride.
Remember the names Syllamore National Forest and Sylamo Trail in Mt. View. Joe Dabney, Syllamore Forest District Ranger, is in the process of creating 80 miles of singletrack. Mark and Lora checked out the proposed route for the first 25 miles and it looks sweet! After a day on the trail Joe had them over for a shrimp boil and some great Arky hospitality.
How could they leave Arkansas with out riding the legendary Womble trail? 37 miles of stellar singletrack! I guess that's why IMBA made it an epic.