Jennings State Forest is a little strange, but it is also one of my favorite places to ride. Looking at Jennings on a map, one notices how large it is and that there are two clear(ish) sections of trails within it. These sections are separated by Yellow Water Creek. Logic would say that they would still be connected by a small bridge or something, right? Wrong! The trails in the west side of Jennings are isolated from the east side. There's no easy way to get from one to the other even though the closest trails for each respective section are separated by what I estimate to be approximately less than 1,000 ft. Logistically speaking, creating a path that brings the two together would make a lot of sense even for the Forestry Service. There are trails that look like they would be good paths to get from one side to the other, but you'll get stopped by gates in the process and it can be rather frustrating since it prevents one from making a nice loop when trying to organize a ride.
But I digress. While the trail arrangement may be a little less than ideal, there's still plenty to be happy about with these areas. Since I've visited the west section of Jennings the most, I'll start with that as a Part 1.
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| Adventure bikes and street bikes can do most of West Jennings if you're careful! |
The ride to the start of this track is really quite pleasant itself depending on which direction you choose to come from. There are some sections of 103rd Street and Normandy Blvd that may make one feel a little uneasy due to the local crowd being a bit rough around the edges, but things clear up five to ten minutes down the road where the trees take over. A left on to McClelland, then another on Long Branch will send you on your way to the entrance and info board for the forest. The pavement will have ended before getting to Long Branch, so make sure to stop and get your ride set up for dirt riding if you have that capability. Initially, the road is pretty well packed and graded with patches of gravel here and there, but it gives way to loose sand the closer you get to the entrance. Practice good technique on the way in so you don't end your fun before it even gets started.
Once you get to the sign, you have the option to continue going straight or hang a right through a gate that may or may not be open. Even though I've been past that gate more than a few times, I'm not even sure if you're really allowed to take vehicles back there, so we're just going to omit that section altogether for now. Going straight leads you deeper into the forest. It's very quiet back there and with any luck, you might be able to see deer or wild turkeys along the road. There have been a few times where it seems as though the turkeys would rather try to race me rather than fly away and it makes for a giggle inducing encounter. If you take the right indicated on the map to stay on Long Branch, you'll be in for an interesting trail that will eventually dead-end in rather sudden fashion. If you do decide to go that way and you think to yourself "things are getting tight. Should I turn around now?" you probably should.
This .GPX track will take you past that right and continue on past Nolan Ridge Baptist Church. The first time I saw this tiny place I thought it was rather peculiar with it being so off the beaten path. I've also seen enough scary movies to know to keep my distance. Not long after the church is a water crossing that can vary from shallow to somewhat deep depending on the amount of rain in the area. I'm not sure if it's the locals or the Forestry service, but someone keeps dumping gravel to fill it in, but it keeps coming back, thankfully. If you get muddy on the trails past it, it serves as an excellent bike wash on the way out. Keeping right at what can best be described as a roundabout tree will take you to some small primitive camp sites, a picnic area, and rudimentary facilities. We're going to keep left.
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| This is the main water crossing leading to the rest of the trails. It varies in depth but the crossing is easy. |
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| Some trails are used less than others. Be prepared for varied terrain. |
The road here varies from soft sand to gravel to clay. Depending on how soon you decide to visit after a rain will determine if you have great fun or a difficult time. Larger 4-wheeled vehicles can cut some pretty deep ruts (between 6 inches to a foot and a half plus the depth from road surface to the surface of the water) that can turn into small ponds that are always difficult to see the bottom of. Couple that with slick, muddy surfaces and you have yourself a time that could be considered less than boring. I've done these sections many times by myself and I wished I would have brought a friend along to help when I'm in a tight spot, but those are slim pickings these days.
Following the .GPX on the main track will take you to a yet another dead end (shocker) but there are some smaller trails that are marked as "Closed to Vehicles" but are still clearly being used. Use these at your own risk. I was in search of a pass through to the eastern section of Jennings at the time I made this track, so that's why I decided to take them. There aren't any, in case you're wondering.
Altogether, Jennings is a great place to ride and relax. The area is subject to controlled burns from time to time so it may be closed during particular times of the year. Wildlife is abundant, including bears. I haven't seen one out there yet, but make sure you have or are educated in the the necessary measures to deal with one should that situation arise. The picnic area and restrooms at the end of Long Branch are a nice perk that you don't usually find so I use them whenever I get the chance. Those picnic tables are pretty comfy for a quick nap.
Jennings State Forest (Part 2) will be pushed next week and cover the southern (and superior?) section.
Happy riding!
- For more information on Jennings State Forest, please visit this website.
- To download the .GPX file for this ride from dualsportmaps.com, click here.
