Before getting too complicated with ride routes, I thought it would be good to take beginners through some of the key trails down low. These directions require you to either (a) start from the parking area at the end of Growlers Gulch Road or (b) drive in the back way and then ride down to the top of the Power Line Hill to get started.
Roads - There are two roads at Growlers that you need to know. The 312 starts at the end of GG Road, goes up the Power Line Hill, intersects with the 319, goes through the clearcut, through the blue gate, heads uphill to a split, and then goes right/north and terminates at the bottom of Trust Me.
The 319 comes in from Melton/Oswalt Lane, heading north until it T’s into the 312. We refer to this T as “The Intersection.” Many trails - including most of what was built early on - start, finish, or run along the 312 and 319.
The Easy Stuff - When you reach the top of the Power Line Hill, go about 75 yards and you will see Predator on your left. The first third parallels the 312. You will eventually see trails going right or straight. Stay on the line that goes left. It will take you east and downhill. At the back end, you will turn and climb gradually back toward the 319. About 20 yards before Predator kicks out onto the gravel, you will see Cousin Eddie on your left. It also goes all the way east to the back of the system. You will reach a short climb before heading back west to the 319. When you reach gravel, turn left. Terminator is a loop that will eventually bring you right back to this point. As you look left, you will see the exit from Terminator almost exactly where you came out of Eddie. Just about 5 yards farther/south on gravel, you will find the start of Terminator. You will be riding it counter-clockwise. It climbs south before turning and crossing a spur road. You will do a short loop and re-cross that same spur before heading back to the 319. These three trails are a great intro and will give you 3.1 miles of nice interval riding.
Beauty and Belly - These short loops are often used by beginners but loved by everyone who rides Growlers. Beauty is the outer loop, with Belly inside it. There all all kinds of cut-throughs and additional trails on this side of the road, so it can be a little tricky. The easiest way is to go right across the road from the end of Terminator. Take an immediate left and you will be on Beauty. Do a gradual climb that parallels the 319. At the top, bear right and you will see a rotting log on the right that has been ridden many times (Routes to the left can take you to the Slalom Trail, Excavator, Shooter, Trail of Tears, Frosty Balls, and BAP, but we’ll save those for another day). Right after a small log-over, you will descend. At the bottom, you’ll see a cut in an old log on your right. Ride through this and bear right immediately to find the start of Belly. You will know you are on it when you cross a couple of beaten down log-overs and then start climbing. At the top, the trail turns left and descends back down to the bottom. Beauty and Belly will total just over a mile.
Branching Out - From the bottom of Beauty and Belly, there are a couple of ways to get to gravel. Whichever way you take, head north and you will see a small gravel pile on the left at the start of an old spur road. (BAP will be on your left). Take the trail on your right. This is Walk in the Park. It climbs up to a point near the intersection; you will actually come out on the 312. Take a left and go down the hill for about 85 yards. Take the first spur on your left. Go about 50 yards and find the new Carnage line. It goes through the clearcut, parallels the 312, and runs west. Near the end of Carnage you will see a line to the left. Don’t take it; this will eventually be Piece & Pound but isn’t finished yet. When you exit Carnage, take a left on gravel, go about 50 yards and you will find the start of the Creek Trail on your left. It goes back and forth from clearcut to forest as it runs along Monahan Creek heading east. You will cross a spur road, cross two bridges, and climb back into the trees. You will reach the end of an old spur. This is the Jeep Trail. It climbs back up to the 312. Walk in the Park, Carnage, and the Jeep Trail give you an additional 2.0 miles.
Summary - Knowing these trails is essential to knowing Growlers. The total will only be six to seven miles, but - surprisingly - you will probably end with about 750 feet of ascent.