This trail was designed with the beginner mountain biker in mind but also for the experienced mountain biker to excel on. On its path, which passes by large sycamore and oak trees, the trail has roller coaster dips, straight and winding climbs, down hills and log jumps with ride-around provided in most places for the less skilled riders. The trail begins along the Elk River just north of the reservoir outlet. The wooded portion of the trail soon gives way to a trek through ice age boulders that cover the hillside. Another segment of the trail winds through tall native grasses. Like all the trails at Elk City Lake, the scenery seen along Eagle Rock trail is phenomenal.

BE ON THE LOOKOUT!

There are many plants, including flowers, that only blossom seasonally and may not be found during certain times of the year. Because of that, we cannot put posts at every spot a flower had previously grown. In the past, we have had:

• Snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)

SMALL WHITE FLOWERS—This plant can be toxic to cattle when ingested causing “trembles.” The toxicity is passed through milk and when ingested by humans causes “milk sickness.”

• CatClaw (Mimosa quadrivalvis)

SPINEY LEAVES WITH BALL-SHAPED PINK FLOWERS DOTTED WITH YELLOW POLLEN– When touched, the leaves of this plant close. Catclaw seeds have been used as a laxative.

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea agustifolia)

TALL STALKS WITH DARK, PRICKLEY CONE SURROUNDED BY SPREADING PURPLE PETALS

NATIVE GRASSES

Big Blue Stem (Andropogon garardii) - This grass can grow up to 10 feet tall. It is distinguished by its height and three-parted flower cluster on top of the stalk that look like a turkey foot. They are called Blue Stem because of the bluish color found near the base. Root systems can grow up to 10 feet under ground.

Little Blue Stem (Andropogon scoporius) - This grass looks similar to Big Blue Stem, although it only grows up to 3 feet and puts off a purplish hue at the base. Little Blue Stem is the most abundant prairie grass and is found in clusters.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) - This grass ranges in height from 3 to 5 feet. It differs from Blue Stem by the seed head at the top of the stalk, which is open and has multiple stems. Switchgrass is a preferred plant for hay and cattle grazing, although some consider it a nuisance.