Bucktail
Fun
Tech
Views
Traffic
Shade
Usage
Biking, Hiking
Dogs Friendly?
Yes
Length
1.3 mimiles
ElvElevation
334'
Rating
Last Report
Clear trails for the most part, but may run into occasional puddles or stretches of muddy areas. It is encouraged to go through puddles, and not around them. Also to turn back on long muddy stretches that damage or widen trails.
If you look up ‘swoopy’ in the dictionary, you’ll see a photo of Bucktail. This centerpiece of the Military Reserve trail system is popular with trail runners and beginner cyclists because of its mellow, steady grade and sweeping curves. Its mild, almost flat grade also causes it to hold water, making it a bad option after rain. If you loop it with Central Ridge trail, it looks like a kangaroo! So that’s cute.
Recent Trail Reports
- April 25, 2023 at 10:36 pmIt's dry and riding real nice, but has a few more ruts than one would like, thanks to too many people riding it in muddy/wet conditions. I really wish people wouldn't do this, but it's not my job to be "Mtn Bike Cop."
- June 27, 2021 at 5:01 pmTrail has had a lot of recent work, and has really nice flow in the downhill direction now. Faster and more fun than before. However, this "one way trail" thing is...lets just say, controversial AT BEST. This was, for many riders, the preferred way to access Shane's Loop from Military Reserve, and I hope they'll re-think that "one way" idea...
- April 3, 2021 at 3:38 amAll dry.
- March 11, 2018 at 8:41 pmAll but 1 small puddle have dried up. Fast and smooth!
- February 3, 2018 at 12:52 pm2-3 small puddles. Ride through them, not around, so as to not widen the trail.
- January 31, 2018 at 10:16 amStill quite a few puddles and soft spots, but good to ride.
- January 30, 2018 at 4:20 pmBucktail is fine except for numerous puddles. Ride right through them to keep the trail from getting wider but otherwise it is fine.
It’s dry and riding real nice, but has a few more ruts than one would like, thanks to too many people riding it in muddy/wet conditions. I really wish people wouldn’t do this, but it’s not my job to be “Mtn Bike Cop.”
Trail has had a lot of recent work, and has really nice flow in the downhill direction now. Faster and more fun than before. However, this “one way trail” thing is…lets just say, controversial AT BEST. This was, for many riders, the preferred way to access Shane’s Loop from Military Reserve, and I hope they’ll re-think that “one way” idea…
All dry.
All but 1 small puddle have dried up. Fast and smooth!
2-3 small puddles. Ride through them, not around, so as to not widen the trail.
Still quite a few puddles and soft spots, but good to ride.
Bucktail is fine except for numerous puddles. Ride right through them to keep the trail from getting wider but otherwise it is fine.
Indications from the the Ridgecrest climb just before the shooting range, which is very muddy, is that Bucktail will be very similar. Still lots of standing water after the rainfall this morning.