SE Michigan vs. NE Ohio Suburban Singletrack Shootout #7: West Branch vs. Highland

I couldn’t think of a category that would include both of these old timers. Ok, maybe Old Timers. However old West Branch makes me feel, I’ll still ride it from time to time. (I believe it may have been the second mountain bike trail I ever rode.) But I’m pretty much done with Highland, even though I once rode there a lot.

West Branch is composed of two loops comprising 10-15 miles of what I’ll call “near Appalachian” singletrack: even though the elevation gain is probably only around 50 feet per mile, there’s enough rocks and roots to make you feel like you’re verging on a different geological zone. In fact, I’ve hit Moraine State Park just over the PA line, then WB on the way back and felt like they’re kissing cousins. (Get it?) The system is cool in that it combines three types of terrain: a section that follows the contours of the lake, the section that goes in and around rocky ravines, and the Rock Quarry loop, which defines the term “rock garden.” There’s also the short “Expert” segment that I’ll probably never clean. Most importantly, WB ranks at the top of my upcoming Bikes and Boats World Tour.

Highland desperately needs a refresh. Yes, I said it out loud. Call me. I’ll help. I know there’s plenty of people who love Highland, but I’m done giving it any more chances. I’ve ridden it rigid, SS, full squish, and on an ebike, and sorry, but there’s just so many momentum killers: completely unnecessary 90 degree turns (especially the C loop) and irritating windiness just to fit in a few more feet of trail. It was described somewhere as an intended “handling problem” but in my opinion, there’s a lot of places that could easily be straightened out without adversely affecting the overall mileage the four loops offer. No doubt there’s a lot of good to be said for the system. It offers around 100 feet per mile of climbing, and you can start and finish your ride in Milford (or my house!!), but as J. Messina said recently, there’s just no payoff for the effort. I agree. I’ll be the first in line to help with trail work. Just don’t do me like the CAMBA boys did years ago when I and a few other people spent a whole day hacking out a 50 yard section at WB only to later be told that it was not going to be used. I haven’t participated in a whole lot of trail building since. A bitter old timer.

WB wins 14 points
Highland 12 (because that place could be really cool someday)

Current Shootout Totals:
Ohio 55, Michigan 51

Coming up: DTE vs. East Rim