The Turkey Springs Trail begins as multi-use trail that is shared with snowmobiles.  At mile 0.4, the single track trail diverges to the left (look for the Turkey Springs Trail sign).  Initially, the trail is steep in sections as it climbs steadily to the junction with the Catamount trail at mile 1. 

 

Short Loop (7.3 miles, 570-foot gain)

To do the loop clockwise, take a left (south) at the Catamount trail sign.  Catamount trail winds through the pine, descends a few steep sections, and contours to a junction with Park Avenue Trail at mile 2.9.  The short loop is to the right and the long loop is to the left.  

 

Take a right on Park Avenue and head west up a steady climb, to Newt Jack Road (FR923) at mile 3.4.  Newt Jack Road often has a lot of snowmobile traffic making it rideable.  If you need to cut the loop short, you can take a right and head back towards the parking area.  You could also take a left and tie into the long loop at the end of the road.  Cross over Newt Jack Road if you intend to continue on the fat bike trail.  The trail gradually climbs until you skirt the edge of a small park-like meadow.  At mile 4.3, Park Avenue intersects Turkey Springs Trail at the edge of the meadow.  Take the slight right onto Turkey Springs Trail and travel north across the meadow and gradually climb to the high point (mile 5.2), which will offer views of Chris Mountain to the west. 

 

From this point, it's 2 miles of mostly downhill!  After descending the high point, you'll cross a cattle guard and shortly thereafter, pass through an open meadow.  At this point, snowmobiles share the trail for about 100 feet.  Climb out of the meadow and veer right onto the bike trail (rather than staying left on the snowmobile trail).  Cross Newt Jack Road again at mile 6.1 and avoid the snowmobile trail again, by staying on Turkey Springs Trail.  At mile 6.3 you'll pass Catamount Trail again, but stay left and enjoy a steep, fast descent back to the parking area.

 

Long Loop (11.5 miles, 720-foot gain)

To do the loop clockwise, take a left (south) at the Catamount trail sign.  Catamount trail winds through the pine, descends a few steep sections, and contours to a junction with Park Avenue Trail at mile 2.9.  The short loop is to the right and the long loop is to the left. 

 

Take a left and descend steadily for about 1.3 miles to the lowest point at the junction with Newt Jack Trail.  The trail turns right onto Newt Jack Trail and climbs steadily toward Newt Jack Road at mile 5.6.  Newt Jack road dead-ends here and the trail may get overrun by snowmobiles.  If you need to cut the loop short, you can take a right on Newt Jack Road and head back towards the parking area.  The fat bike trail shares a short section with snowmobiles and passes through a small gate where Newt Jack Road ends.  The fat bike trail diverges right onto Round Park Trail about 100 yards from the end of Newt Jack Road. 

 

Steadily climb up Round Park Trail to its junction with Gopher trail at mile 6.7.  Take a right on Gopher Trail and contour through some nice old-growth pine on your way to the junction with Turkey Springs Trail at mile 7.9.  Gradually descend to a large meadow and the junction with Park Avenue Trail at mile 8.5.  The short and long loops rejoin at this point.  Veer left and continue on Turkey Springs Trail.  Traverse the edge of the meadow and gradually climb to the high point (mile 9.5), which will offer views of Chris Mountain to the west. 

 

From this point, it's 2 miles of mostly downhill!  After descending the high point, you'll cross a cattle guard and shortly thereafter, pass through an open meadow.  At this point, snowmobiles share the trail for about 100 feet.  Climb out of the meadow and veer right onto the bike trail (rather than staying left on the snowmobile trail).  Cross Newt Jack Road again at mile 10.3 and avoid the snowmobile trail again, by staying on Turkey Springs Trail.  At mile 10.5 you'll pass Catamount Trail again and then enjoy a steep, fast descent back to the parking area.