Murdock Park Trail

[nelliedawg82]

New to mtn biking, and Murdock Park Trail in Lafayette, was my first introduction to a non IMBA trail, and I must say "Thank you IMBA!!" if all trails were like MPT I would be hanging up my padded shorts and selling my new bike. 


I think that if I knew where I was going, or there was any semblance of signage it might have been a fun ride, but I'm being generous in saying that.  In fact it kinda sucked!  I read the discriptions of the trail on Singlrtracks.com, and they were pretty much spot on, tight, twisty, steep climbs if ridden the wrong direction, taken over by a disc golf course... I must have ridden the wrong direction, but for the lack of any signs how was I to know, aside from having to walk up the first hill I came to. LOL


I don't know if a lot of people ride here, and if you do, sorry for slamming your trail! It seems with some effort this little trail could be a gem, but in its present condition I think I'll look over to West Lafayette next time I'm up here.

[mtbikernate]

that's not a HMBA trail, FWIW.


In fact, I don't even have enough information about that place to put it on our trail guide.  Care to share some links about the place so I can add it?

[csalbitz]

Murdock is not a beginners trail. I would go as far to say it is an advanced trail! There are 4 trails in Lafayette/West Lafayette that most of us locals refer to. I always suggest people start with the Amphitheator, then McCormic Woods, then Hann Trail, and last after you have conquered those, move on to Murdock. It's good to have a local with ya to show you where to start at Murdock also. It's all in and out of a Valley with steep climbs. Great workout!

[nelliedawg82]

http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/murdock-park-trail.html


Is the place I found the trail, and yes i said "first introduction to a non IMBA trail"
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[/size]csalbitz I'm off to amphitheater tomorrow morning

[csalbitz]

Start on the SE corner. There is a wooden sign at the trail head. Wherever the trail y's, veer to the right. If you ride the whole thing correctly, you will come out on the NE corner close to the propane tank. Have Fun. Remember, this is a multi-use trail and it can be ridden in both directions!

[csalbitz]

Feel free to text me if u have any questions about trails in our area. 765-586-9817

[nelliedawg82]

Rode Amphitheater trail twice. once out and back, came out to around 3.6 miles. My second lap I came out on the other side of the parking lot came out to 2.8 miles.  The trail was super fun and in great shape! Nothing technical just a fun flowy trail!


Csalbitz thanks for the beta. Amphitheater trail is going to be my go to trail when I'm up this way!

[Shark]

I thought you weren't supposed to talk about M*&^%k. haha. secret trail!
It's a cool trail, different than most everything else around. I only rode it once (with a local who knew it well), but I enjoyed the challenging tight twisty no-warning climbs, log jumps in odd spots....

I bet if you tried a few times & got to know the layout, you'd have more fun.

[gottabeoutdoors]

Murdock is the trail that took my relatively beginner skills and bumped them to the next level.   I cursed the trail the first time or two that I rode it, but my skill improved so fast that it is my go-to trail for honing skills.   


Not to mention that the hills provide the workout I need to be able to tackle a full day ride at places like BCSP or Nebo.


Also, it was MUCH easier to tell your way before the disc golf people tore through like a tornado. 


Shark - it might have been when the above happened that we were able to start speaking of the place by name...