CHARLES  FORK LAKE

TRAILS
      - Trail manners
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TOUR de LAKE

DIRECTIONS

CHARLIE'S CHALLENGE: This trail is rolling and fast in some places, rocky and technical in others. What makes the challenge is a major climb at the rear. Leaves the gravel road at the back of the lake and begins a gruesome climb. After the initial climb, the trails levels off for a bit where it meets Trevor's Trail. At this point, Charlie's cuts hard to the right and continues up about 50 yds. then turns left. About half up this next climb, the trail bears left - don't continue up the hill since you will leave city land and get onto private property. Follow the trail along the edge of the hill, around a point and onto a bench that leads around a small bowl. The trail will hug the hillside eventually running through a brushy area and up and over a small point. The head of the hollow is reached via a rough section of trail which crossed the ravine just below the ridge and continues to hug the hillside on its way out this cove. About 1/4 mile ahead you climb to the ridge by a hay barn. Here the trail bears left and widens rolling along with pasture and some nice views on the right. After a short climb the trail goes left. Take a break and walk over to the to the fence line on the right for a great view. Back on the trail you'll a rolling decent with a steep drop near the bottom.  At the bottom of the hill you again meet Trevor's Trail. This next section of Charlie's is made for speed, Let it Rip! ( Of course if you want to take it easy there's lots to enjoy at a slower pace also) You'll begin by zipping along some nice rolling sections that will soon turn rocky but again give way to a fast paced section.  Don't get too carried away cause you're in for some quick drops and a few short sharp climbs. About 1 1/2 miles in there's a very serious 4' drop. You'll soon see the big rocks watching you from the right - kick it up a gear. When you pass the old barn foundation you're in the home stretch with about a mile to go. You can see Gunnar just ahead, spectators begin to dot the woods, cheering you on, as the trail rolls quickly along through awesome dips and turns. A refreshing scent whips at your nostrils as you enter a section of pines where the trail cut left and down. You're now screaming but aware of the tricky turn approaching at the bottom. As you round the curve, you jump to the big ring and glide along the bench above the lake to the top of a steep switchback which will shoot out across the dam and back to .....reality.