Corkscrew has three different sections, and they are not directly connected to each other, though they can and should be ridden in succession. The trail is generally ridden south to north (uphill). While it can be ridden north to south (downhill) and is fairly fun in this direction, most riders get distracted by other fun trails like Rodeo and Spring on their way back to the south.

Trail Description

As mentioned above the trail has three distinct sections that don't directly connect to each other. The first two sections are often ridden by themselves, but the third section is always ridden in connection with section 2

Section 1: is the steepest and most challenging section of the trail. This is the toughest climb in all of Lambert Park. It climbs for about 1/2 mile at an average grade of 15%. One or two short sections are quite a bit steeper than that.

Most riders end up in their lowest gears at least once on this section.

NOTE: Recent earthmoving activity has temporarily (I hope) cut the trail in two. For now, when you reach the fork at the top of the climb, you'll need to stay right (normally you'd go left here and drop down to Ziggy and make a left followed by an immediate right). A very short distance later, the right fork will end into a double track. follow this downhill (left) until you reach the big trench. Just before the trench, on the right, you'll see a small trail. Take this, it will skirt above the end of the trench. You'll find yourself on a dirt road that runs arrow straight to the north. Follow it for a short distance looking for a trail on your left. Make a hard left (this is Ziggy) follow Ziggy down for a hundred yards or so looking for where Corkscrew comes in from the left, and then look to your right for the beginning of Section 2.

Section 2:
This section is overall an uphill, but much less steep than Section 1. This trail will cross several trails, but stay straight. After a while, the trail will cross a doubletrack. The trail continues straight ahead, though its hard to see until you get halfway across the DT. The riding gets more interesting on this section. There are more rocks, and several steep ups and downs. You'll come to a huge pile of dirt, go right here and climb up until you hit the pavement. This is the end of Section 2

Section 3:
Section 3 is short, and downhill, but connects Section 2 with the Spring Trail. But to get to it, you need to ride about 100 yards on the pavement. When you hit the pavement, go left, and then make your first right (also pavement). You'll climb a short distance. Look for a fire hydrant on your left. The trail leaves the pavement at this hydrant. It drops down a short distance, and then crosses another doubletrack. Angle leftish as you cross the doubletrack so that you end up on another doubletrack that forks off at this same point. Its more obvious than it sounds. About 20 yards after you get on this doubletrack, you'll cross the Spring Trail. You can either go right on Spring to climb up, or go left and descend Spring. Most riders go right.

Getting There

You can access Corkscrew in several places. However, it is most often accessed at it southern end at the southern end of Lambert Park.

When to Bike

Sections 1 and 2 are rideable all year. Section 3 descends a north facing slope and therefore can be snowbound or wet after storms.