Not all single track is created equal, and once you complete a loop at Gambrill or the the Frederick Watershed (Shed) you’ll understand why. Seven or so miles at Gambrill or the Shed are not quite the same as the seven or so miles at Laurel Hill or any other regional trail. If this is your first time riding the rocky trails of Gambrill or the Shed make sure you are prepared, both physically and mentally. Once you’ve tamed any of the loops presented here you’ll be ready for virtually anything in the region. Gambrill’s Yellow Trail, at 6.8 miles, is the longest loop in the Gambrill trail system and the perfect trail for up-and-coming mountain bikers looking to test their mettle (and for a beating) on some difficult singletrack. The Shed loops will definitely do the same and add more to the mix. These are not trails for a novice rider, so don’t bring that newbie friend along for the ride. Gambrill and the Shed can be extremely challenging even to those who are well-versed in rugged terrain.
Yours truly negotiating a rock garden along one of the Watershed’s trails.
Gambrill and the Shed
Location: Frederick, MD
Length: 13.5 Miles
Ride Time: 2 - 4 hours hours, depending on skill level and route chosen
Ride Type: MTB
Difficulty: Level 4 Riding: Six miles Northwest of the city, on Catoctin Mountain, are two jewels for mountain bikers in the region, Gambrill State Park and the Frederick Watershed. These Frederick destinations will keep the most arduous mountain biker busy for more than just one weekend. The work that MORE and its team of liaisons have put in the Frederick Watershed alone is worthy of praise and a visit and, it has made Frederick not only a regional, but a national mountain biking destination. The routes below should keep you busy for at least a weekend - or longer - there are a ton more trails worth exploring in the Shed beyond those detailed below…
Book: The Gambrill Yellow Loop is covered in detail in Mountain Biking the Washington D.C./Baltimore Area.
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