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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 12 mi (19.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +822/756 ft
Total: 57 riders
 

Mountain Biking Rock Lake

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#10 of 385 mountain bike trails in Wisconsin
#337 in the world

Unrelenting hilly terrain over moderately technical trails through deep forest with many wilderness lakes. Lots of climbing and contoured trail. Two cut offs for shorter ride. Hildebrand Lake Loop of 3 miles is the most technical of all the CAMBA trails.

First added by trnelson on Sep 3, 2007. Last updated May 11, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • Fat bike grooming: yes
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
From Minneapolis/St Paul MN take HWY 35 N to 8 East to 63 North to Cable. 7 miles east of Cable WI on Cty Hwy M, Parking for hiking, biking, and ski trails. Look for Rock Lake park sign. Parking cost is $5.
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Rock Lake Trail map

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johnk (on Oct 6, 2019)
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(on Jun 13, 2019)
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Mountain Bike Trails Near Cable, Wisconsin

****
Beginner | 40 mi
****
Intermediate | 12 mi
| 2 mi
*****
| 3 mi

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Reviews

  • hollyanne99
    *****

    I LOVED this trail. I think it's my favorite of CAMBA. It is very rocky and requires good bike-handling skills. Some of the rocks have larger drops (10 inches or so), and you need to have confidence riding through the rock gardens. The no-hands bridge was crazy when I was there - water was up to it and it looked like I was riding across a lake - nothing like other pictures I've seen of it. While the Hildebrand portion is rated double black, I didn't think it was harder than the rest of the trail, and I'd argue the last couple miles are the hardest, if anything. Despite all the rocks, there are sections you can really get your speed up and ride smoothly. This is a trail that can be 100% ridden and is simply amazing once you have more advanced skills. I would have hated this trail as a beginner and trying to take someone new is a way to make them dislike riding. Definitely something to build up to riding!

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  • abephyle
    *****

    Beautiful trail with lots of options. Fun technical bits, varied scenery.

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  • Brandon M
    *****

    Great trail and worth the trip over to ride it! Some technical areas, with great forest views during the ride.

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  • cspargen
    *****

    I rode Rock Lake on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with hero dirt to be had in abundance. I had to skip the epic ride because of time constraints, as well as the fact that this trail required more upper body strength and lower speed tech skills than I anticipated. It had an old school feel and could really make you pay in certain areas. I enjoyed the challenge though and it was pretty well laid out (thankful for a dropper!). The rocks weren't unmanageable, but taking the wrong line could mean trouble cleaning a couple climbs or descents without risking your chainring.
    The signage was great as I experienced earlier @ CAMBA's Seeley Pass, Flow Mama, and High Point. I also felt quite secluded during this loop with next to no other noises other than nature and my hub and shocks. Definitely recommend this trail; I initially gave it a 4 because I felt it was a little slow in areas where I wanted more speed and jumps or kickers...however after giving it more thought, just because I would like a trail a certain way in a couple areas doesn't mean it should suffer in its rating. This trail was the complete package for a technical trail ride. If you are looking for jumps and large berms, I recommend the Seeley Pass/Flow Mama/High Point ride not too far away. This trail is designed to provide oneness with nature while testing your rock skills, and it certainly delivers on that.

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  • jasfoto
    *****

    Wow! That was a workout. Rode the Black trail for the first time. Fun and challenging for my intermediate skills. Lots of rocks. Ridable, but there are a lot of them. Some beautiful scenery to keep you rolling and encouraged. Trail is well maintained and marked. Bet it is truly amazing in the fall.

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  • Badgerfan
    *****

    This trail is absolutely beautiful and challenging. There is two things I would highly recommend when taking on this trail;
    1. Bring bug spray and carry it on you. I sprayed myself before the ride but after sweating it wore off and I now have literally hundreds of mosquito bites!
    2. If you plan on riding the other trails on this cluster do the blacks first. I put about 20 miles on before trying it and I took a couple wrong turns and the trail got the better of me. There isn't water out there and ended up having to drink lake water unfiltered (not sick yet!!!) lol
    The next time I go I will park at the town hall trailhead since it's free rock lake trail head you have to pay

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  • Eric Foltz
    *****

    Easily one of the best areas east of the Rockies. Along with Rock Lake, there are a ton of other trails in the area that can be linked together for some truly epic days on the bike. Nothing real technical, just a lot of fun.

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  • stumpyfsr   ✓ supporter
    *****

    Jeff, I rode there about two weeks ago and also had a great time. Wish I knew you in the area so we could arrange a ride. Tried to PM you but it didn't go through for some reason

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  • Jeff Barber
    *****

    Were you just out here? I rode Rock Lake on Tuesday and it was a blast!

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  • ****

    Great ride deep into the woods and past remote lakes of northern Wisconsin. I saw only one other rider the whole time, and this was on a summer Saturday. It's basically an intermediate trail, flows well for the length. There are a couple of dicey spots (like the Wall Street feature), and after 2-3 hrs of hours of riding nearly continuous rock-strewn trail you'll be sore. But it's a sweet ride, and a refreshing change of scene and terrain from urban singletrack. You can connect to many other trails via Rock Lake, so it's possible to extend your ride, or bail to green if the rocks start to wear you down.

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  • afullsodacan
    *****

    Had the privilege of getting to ride this trail on my family's past summer trip to Wisconsin. I didn't have a whole lot of time to ride this trail, but the parts that I did ride were a LOT of fun. A great up-and-down workout, with lots of technical rocky sections (hence the name). If you are ever in the area you should definitely check this out, or make it part of a bike trip destination. I'd say from what I rode, a good portion of the trails are intermediate, but there were also some parts that were Black Diamond. Another trail that I rode while I was in Wisconsin was Nine Mile Trail, which is also great.

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  • PapaD
    *****

    Sweet flowing single track with lots of rocks. Many large boulders to ride over. Includes a feature called Wallstreet that is an armored steep descent with drops that is heart stopping! New trail is continually being built here so there is always something new to ride. A must do!

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  • PHRANQUY   ✓ supporter
    *****

    I was out here with a few friends mid October, so the leaves were all down, but still got to enjoy the fall colors. Being as close to the Minneapolis area as it is, I'm surprised I'd never been here before. The trail is pretty well marked for the most part and fairly easy to follow even with all the leaves on the ground. I will definitely be returning to visit in the Spring/Summer next year, but will have to plan my trips around "Mosquito Season", as dealing with those little buggers is never fun.

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  • mtn417
    *****

    I've biked around the world, this is my home trail, and it compares just as nicely to many of the best trails I have ridden. Though all are unique, this one wins for flow! If you want to ride for hours on end on a thin dirt ribbon through dense wilderness without having to dismount. This is it. Don't stop for long, the mosquitos are relentless and keep your eyes peeled for black bears, they probably out number you out on this area. Go out and enjoy and support CAMBA. This trail is not going to provide much of a challenge so push yourself on the limits of speed and fun!

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  • Greg Heil   ✓ supporter
    *****

    This is a great singletrack ride in northern wisconsin. Some cool bridges, lots of awesome bench cut trail, and some nice obstacles. Would love to get back and ride it again!

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  • NoTrace
    ****

    Pleasant singletrack that flows with many small climbs and turns around the lake. Not an epic, but definitely worthwhile if you find yourself in the area.

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