Frady Branch
Directions to the trail head are found in the "Maps" link above
Help us keep the trails in good condition - report any problems! Using the Trail Maps, tell us where we have problems. For example: "There is a down tree crossing the trail near Junction F on E to F trail." Thank you for your help!
Select from either of the email links below:
I don't know if you are one of these incredible riders that like to ride up walls, but my suggestion for your first ride:
Leatherwood Loop - best done CCW.
Frady Branch Loop - best done CW.
Lathan Cemetery Loop - best done CW.
Pear Orchard Loop - best done CCW.
My favorite 10.4 mile ride is to ride to Junction C - go left to Junction I. Then go right up to H, turn left and go across the stream and up to G.
To include the Lathan Cemetery Loop, go up the road to F then take the trail back to E,go right down to H, and back to G again crossing the stream you crossed earlier.
From G go to K stopping for a beautiful break at Mary Steele Waterfalls (hist site #5), turn right and follow to N.
From N go back to B and then the trailhead. There is a steep downhill in the beginning and this trail crosses Leatherwood Creek twice. You first cross from east to west, then 50 feet later, cross from west to east - DON'T MISS THAT SECOND CROSSING as an old trail goes ahead into a MESS!
I can ride up from C to I but the uphills from Frady or Leatherwood near Junctions D and N are tough!
Jim Winsness
Frady Branch Trails Open! October 25, 2003 Photos of the opening and a map of the trail system.
Previous Information:
The SORBA (Southern Off Road Bicycle Association) and the Equestrian groups have organized a trail project for the Lake Russell WMA. The first phase of the project is the creation of trails in the area between the Latham Road, Pear Orchard Road, and the Frady Branch area. A trail map can be found by the link to the left - "Frady Branch Trails".
The work to complete the trails is being conducted by a contractor, volunteers, and as an Eagle Scout project.
I walked the section of the Big Leatherwood Loop Trail today that is in-progress by the contractor. I took over 40 photos as it is so pretty but I reduced that to 20 and put them in two sections. If you are on a modem, it will take a while to load the photos - but I assure you, that is quicker (and easier) than the walk I took today.