MoMBA Huffman Park
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Rider Rating
Current Trail Conditions
MoMBA Huffman Park
MetroParks Mountain Biking Area MoMBA Hours
April 1 - Sept. 28: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 29 - Oct. 31: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Nov. 1 - Feb. 3: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 4 - March 31: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day
Trail Description and History: In 2005, Five Rivers MetroParks entered a new era of public service when it established an active recreation initiative called Five Rivers Outdoors. Five Rivers Outdoors was established to answer the region’s call for more recreational opportunities close to home. As MetroParks is constantly seeking new ways for people to get out and connect with the outdoors, last September, Five Rivers MetroParks opened MoMBA (MetroParks Mountain Bike Area) at Huffman MetroPark. MoMBA is the first of what will be a system of outdoor recreation-focused facilities that will give the residents of Montgomery County new and unique places to play outdoors.
Mountain Biking is Part of Conservation: Yes, today Five Rivers MetroParks sees mountain biking as part of their conservation mission. How can this be? Well, mountain biking has come a long way from its inception. Today there exists a philosophy of sustainable trail design and construction that guides mountain bike facility designers in how to lay out and construct trails that lie on the land lightly, prevent erosion and help manage riders through design. Developed by IMBA, (International Mountain Bike Association) the same organization that helped MetroParks design MoMBA, this philosophy of contour trail design (trails that follow the contours of the land rather than simply moving from point A to B) came about in the depression era through organizations like the Conservation Civilian Corp, but until the 1990’s were lost to many trail builders. Using sustainable recreation policies MetroParks is able today to manage the land wisely, while allowing a new type of user to enjoy MetroParks and the benefits of active outdoor recreation.
Mountain Bikers Today: Of course if mountain biking has evolved so has the average mountain biker. While mountain biking may have an X Games/Mountain Dew reputation, in reality the local mountain bike community is made up of your neighbors and co-workers. In fact, the entire MoMBA trail system was cleared and finished by over 50 volunteers. Volunteers have set over 20 tons of rock and built over 800 feet of bridges and boardwalks. These volunteers, both women and men, girls and boys, 12 to 58 years old, many being professionals, engineers, artists and teachers have given thousand of hours of their time to create this facility.
MoMBA Construction Updates: This facility features the area’s first fully sustainable trail system designed to IMBA standards, specifically for mountain bike use. The area features great terrain and natural assets, including beautiful hardwoods, a rock-bottom creek, great hills and rock-filled ridge. Volunteers can help maintain this trail that provides over 8 miles of mountain biking opportunities for the most advanced to the novice rider.
Location and Driving Directions
The address for MoMBA is 4485 Union Schoolhouse Road
From the South or West, take Route 4 North, turn right at the sign for Huffman Dam and go straight at the stop sign to Lower Valley Pike. Pass Huffman MetroPark on your right. Then, take a sharp left at Lower Valley/Union sign (on the left). Go under the overpass to a 3-way stop sign. Go left at Union/Baker intersection and MoMBA is the first entrance on the left.
Fron the North or East, take Reoute 4 South, turn left at the sign for Huffman Dam and follow the above directions.
Trail Maps
The trail map can be found here:
http://www.metroparks.org/Parks/PublicationFolder/Huffman_BikeTrails.pdf
Trail maps are available at the trailhead.
Description and Review
MoMBA is a spectacular facility with 8.3 miles of trails on 111 acres just north of Huffman Lake. It has seven different mountain biking trails to challenge the rider with cool names such as 'Voodoo', 'Mr. Zig Zag' and 'Hawk's Lair.' The trails are marked like ski slopes, with varying degrees of difficulty. These levels of difficulty are shown on the trail maps which are located at the trailhead. Riders will encounter various obstacles along these trails including wooden bridges, hairpin turns, narrow passages, plus scenic views of the surrounding woods and creeks.
So, you’re new to mountain biking or want to learn. Are these trails for you? Sure. There are easier trail segments that will develop your biking talents and you can always walk areas that you aren’t comfortable with. Maybe you’re an accomplished biker and wondering if these trails will be challenge enough for you. You bet. Plenty of elevation, a nice rocky ridge (Hawks Lair), an open area down to bedrock like something from out West (Moonscape), and an elevated bridge over a 60 foot gorge will get the blood racing.
Additionally, MoMBA's trails are marked with 73 GPS waypoint signs to help with rider navigation and emergency needs.
Future plans for MOMBA include a possible skills park, pro shop, a climbing area, competition events and other mountain biking facilities throughout the park system.
Difficulty Level
Just like ski areas, these trails are all marked on trail signs as well as the trail maps with whether they are easy, moderate or difficult. Basically, all trails except for the Hawks Lair rocks area can be ridden by beginners or intermediate riders with little difficulty. The big factor is your aerobic conditioning because there are some hills in this set of scenic trails.
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