Allegrippis Easier Trails route

Don’t let the listed 10-mile ride length scare you off. The text description also presents shorter 3, 5 and 8 mile options using portions of the same mapped route.

This ride presents the easiest trails of the Allegrippis network and the shortest ride reaching the overlook area. Although staying mainly “on top” of the ridge, it still presents approximately 700’ of elevation gain/loss over its 8 mile route. There is an option to shorten your ride to about 5 miles (**), but you won’t reach the overlook and an even shorter 3.2 mile (*) option, sticking to the deer trails, to avoid the biggest climb. You can also extend your ride to the full 10 mile (****) length by adding the rest of the deer trails to your return trip.

The ride starts at the Bakers Hollow Road parking area, just before the entrance to the Susquehannock primitive camping area. It follows a double loop route beginning and ending with Buck Trail, while also using the Grippis, Ridge, Berry Patch, Loco-motive, and Red Legs Trails for the far loop

The Buck Trail is a gradual uphill from the parking area to the Doe intersection. This is a heavily traveled segment of trail, so be cautious of oncoming riders.

Buck crosses the Susquehannock entrance road a couple hundred feet into the ride. Be alert for incoming traffic from the left. There may be a portable toilet and/or vending machine near the check in station. The trail bears slightly left as you cross the road. Be cautious of several lengthwise exposed roots that can throw you, especially on your downhill return.

Bear left at the wye intersection with Doe Trail. Buck Trail is then downhill to another wye intersection with Fawn Trail.

* - For the shortest 3 mile route, bear right on Fawn and pick up the description at ****, below.

Fpr the rest of the routes, bear left at the wye intersection with Fawn & Allie Trails and continue the overall 160’/0.4 mile descent. This will be the biggest downhill (and uphill on the return leg) of your ride. Be cautious of a sharp left-hand curve beyond the intersection that also has some roots that can throw you. You will cross a gravel service at the base of the descent.

The Alligrippis trails are known for being smooth and fast. The trails continuing to the overlook don’t get any more technical but are rated progressively harder as they get more remote from any assistance. Beyond the service road, you will also encounter more of the drainage dip undulations as you follow Allie, Grippis. You can quickly become airborne on a downhill series of these if you don’t watch your speed.

** - If Allie and Grippis have you worn out before you reach the overlook, you can double back for the 5 mile route with a sharp right onto Red Legs at the intersection with Ridge. In a short distance Loco-Motive will intersect from your left. Pick up the description again at ***

To reach the overlook on the main route, bear left to continue on Ridge Trail. Take a seat on one of the overlook benches, if the porcupines left you anything to sit on, and enjoy the view.

Rounding the curve leaving the overlook, stay right onto Berry Patch to avoid the longer trip back on Rays Revenge. As you intersect the other end of Rays, Berry Patch becomes Loco-Motive as it rounds another bend to the right. Turn left when Loco-Motive intersects Red Legs.

*** The 5 mi ride rejoins the description here - Follow Red Legs back to the Allie/Grippis intersection.

Make a sharp left onto Allie for your return leg on Allie to the Buck/Fawn intersection. If you still have energy, you can do the full 10 miles by turning left onto Fawn instead. The 5 and 8 mile routes otherwise continue past Fawn on Buck, up to Doe., where you reconnect for the final leg of the ride.

**** The 3.3 mi ride rejoins the description here - Fawn presents a few mild rocky areas that are probably the only rocky spots other than on Stoney Trail. Osprey Trail will drop off to your left, just before you reach the intersection with Doe Trail, adjacent to the Susquehannock entrance road.

Bailout onto the road for return to your car is not recommended as the grades are steeper than those on the trails and cornering can be tough at the base of the one big descent.

Turning onto Doe Trail takes a sharper right just before Fawn Trail drops onto the roadway. This also follows a rolling profile before starting a steady gradual descent. You may not even notice the intersection with Buck at 3 miles but be alert for riders coming in from your right.

Once you pass the Buck/Doe intersection, all ride lengths share the last quarter mile downhill to the car. Again, watch for roots and both bike and vehicle traffic as you glide down this more heavily used trail segment, crossing the Susquehannock entrance road and reentering the parking lot.