If you’re
looking for a place to improve your rock navigation skills, Greenbrier is the place
for you. Greenbrier is what it is, a
series of technically challenging trails with rocks, rocks, and more rocks. That said, it has some really fun downhills
where you can really pick up a lot of speed (if your hands and feet can take
the constant vibrations). I’ll admit two
things up front about this review: (1) I was having a bad day with my bike – my
brand new Trek was having shifting problems, and (2) I am not a fan of these
constant rock obstacle trails.
There are several connected loops at Greenbrier, which make it easy to add to your ride on the fly, or bail out if you are running short on time. The trail is also well marked and has signs at just about every fork in the road (however, they could be improved if they had a “You are Here” pointer). The climbs are not overly taxing, and most intermediate riders should make it up the majority of these. Greenbrier could be a long day for beginners since you are almost constantly challenged by rock garden after rock garden after rock garden. If you want to see pictures of the terrain, go here - http://myroadtrips.peterbeers.net/mbrt/1Greenbrier/Greenbrier.htm.
Greenbrier has quite a bit to offer if you want to make a longer trip out of your ride. There are campgrounds, a lake for swimming and canoeing, and the Appalachian Trail passes nearby.
Official Website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/greenbrier.html
Prices: Memorial Day-Labor Day: weekdays $3 per person, weekends/holidays $4 per person; Labor Day-Memorial Day $3 per vehicle; May and September weekends $3 per person. Out-of-state residents add $1 to all day use service charges.
Directions: From the East: Take I-70 west to exit 42. Bear right onto Rt. 17 north (follow signs). Go into the center of Myersville and Rt. 17 will turn right. Follow Rt. 17 to the flashing lights at the intersection of Rt. 40. Turn left onto Rt. 40 west. Follow for three miles and the park is on the left.
From the West: Take I-70 east to exit 35. Bear right onto Rt. 66 (follow signs). Go straight to the stoplight at the intersection of Rt. 40. Turn left onto Rt. 40 east. Follow for two miles and the park is on the right.
Greenbrier State Park
21843 National Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713-9535
(301) 791-4767
Date of Ride: 7/16/2005
What Singletracks.com has to say: http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=759
