7.6 hr
Overview
From the parking lot, head up Cobblestone Trail. It's hard going on the uphill. Brutal in fact. Expect to get off and push unless you're top notch at navigating rock (or small boulder) gardens. <br><br>From the top of Cobblestone, link up with Rough Trail and follow that through the rocky meadows with the stunted trees down to Lake Illsanjo. The trail should widen up to fire road / semi-paved trail. <br><br>Head up the hill through a couple of rough spots and then take the branch to the right, heading up Canyon Trail before heading down Marsh trail to the left. You should be in the shade of trees for most of Marsh trail. Eventually ridge trail will veer off to the right and you can follow that for a little over three miles before meeting up with the fire road on the South side of Ledson Marsh. Head right and you can take a short 1.3 mile loop around Ridge Trail/ Pig Flat Trail - nothing special really though. <br><br>Once you meet back up with Ridge Trail by the picnic tables at Ledson marsh, head right and continue to follow the fire road around the marsh to the restrooms (ford the stream just before the restrooms). Be careful here - the stream can be deep. <br><br>From the restrooms, follow the singletrack up to the left. You'll be back in the sun now. There are great views overlooking the marsh to the left too. Once you hit the T, follow South Burma Trail to the right and enjoy the swooping downhills beneath the trees again. This is the highlight of the ride for me. <br><br>At some point you'll hit fire road - head right and keep going until you meet up with North Burma Trail. Belt down North Burma - there are some technical bits on the downhill, and a couple of rock gardens. If it's later in the day, watch out for hikers too... You'll meet up with Channel trail - head left and and follow the road back, eventually dropping onto the road and following that to the parking lot.
Trail Stats
26.9 km
557 m
437 m
101 m
—
Photos
You'll see this at the end of the Annadel Big Loop Ride because the parking lot is actually just outside the State park.
You'll see this at the end of the Annadel Big Loop Ride because the parking lot is actually just outside the State park.
The view of Lake Ilsanjo dam from the Spring Creek Trail. The name "Ilsanjo" is an eponymous contraction of former landowners "Ilsa and Joe" Coney.
The view of Lake Ilsanjo dam from the Spring Creek Trail. The name "Ilsanjo" is an eponymous contraction of former landowners "Ilsa and Joe" Coney.
Open and smooth singletrack.
Open and smooth singletrack.
The open fire road at Annadel
The open fire road at Annadel
A quick sunset photo op after fixing a flat on North Burma Trail.
A quick sunset photo op after fixing a flat on North Burma Trail.
Annadel is a mixture a open fields on one side and enclosed singletrack on the other.
Annadel is a mixture a open fields on one side and enclosed singletrack on the other.
One of the climbs.
One of the climbs.
Erosion in places, especially on upcoming Ridge trail.
Erosion in places, especially on upcoming Ridge trail.
Rest at Lake Ilsanjo between Canyon Trail and Rough Go Trail
Rest at Lake Ilsanjo between Canyon Trail and Rough Go Trail
Marsh and Ridge Trails.
Marsh and Ridge Trails.
Another run, another rock.
Another run, another rock.
One of the many meadows along the Ridge Trail. It may look smooth here but there is plenty of rock mixed into the singletrack.
One of the many meadows along the Ridge Trail. It may look smooth here but there is plenty of rock mixed into the singletrack.
Built up an appetite by now..? ;-) Just kidding!
Built up an appetite by now..? ;-) Just kidding!
Near the intersection of Louis trail and North Burma Trail,
Near the intersection of Louis trail and North Burma Trail,
Annadel dances between smooth, open fire roads to loose, rocky and a bit technical without warning.
Annadel dances between smooth, open fire roads to loose, rocky and a bit technical without warning.
The trailhead at the main parking lot. Trail sign on the left marking the Cobblestone trail, a map of the park, and a cute girl. :-)
The trailhead at the main parking lot. Trail sign on the left marking the Cobblestone trail, a map of the park, and a cute girl. :-)
Burned, but recovering.
Burned, but recovering.
Weaving through a field of boulders.
Weaving through a field of boulders.
Marsh Trail
Marsh Trail
Lake Ilsanjo. Nice spot for an energy snack.
Lake Ilsanjo. Nice spot for an energy snack.
No warm up at Annadel. The climb starts immediately.
No warm up at Annadel. The climb starts immediately.
Cobblestone Trail
Cobblestone Trail
Son's second time on a trail, first time at Annadel.
Son's second time on a trail, first time at Annadel.
Enjoying the shady and secluded singletrack at the southern edge of Annadel State Park.
Enjoying the shady and secluded singletrack at the southern edge of Annadel State Park.
Jett Williams always has a great time.
Jett Williams always has a great time.
Alphawanderlust.com -Baby Jump-
Alphawanderlust.com -Baby Jump-