Cypress Creek - Mountain Bike Trail

Given the general terrain in Houston, Texas, the Cypress Creek Trail is one of the most interesting MTB trails in the area. We noticed that it lulls you into a false sense of security with fast flowy sections before springing a surprise on you. It could be a root-filled section, a jump, or trees that pop up near the middle of the track from nowhere. If you’re not careful, you could crash into any one of the technical features. Houston residents, especially those used to the other trails in the area that are typically flat and flowy, may want to take it slow here.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

The Cypress Creek MTB Trail has an official parking lot at the end of W Cypress Forest Drive, where you have direct access to the trail. Previously, people parked at one of the empty lots on Glenway or the YMCA parking lot off Maranatha Rd. However, the official parking lot should be much more convenient. The Address is 14234 W Cypress Forest Dr.

Once you’re on the trail, the first section is fairly skinny and leads you up a climb, then to a fairly long descent. This section provides a snippet of what to expect all along the trail. There are plenty of roots, and for the most part, the trail is wide. However, if you go downhill too fast, you may be blindsided by a spot where two trees seem to converge near the middle of the trail.

You also go through a very small berm.

After that, you get onto a stretch of flowy trail that you can pick up speed at with some serious pedaling. As mentioned above, these are some of the sections that lull you into a fall sense of security since the next thing you know; you’re going downhill fast on a root-filled section that can easily cause an accident if you’re not careful. Keep your hands on the brakes and your eyes and ears peeled so you can see these coming.

Furthermore, some sections of the trail aren’t directional, so if you go in carelessly, you might collide with other trail users.

There are skinny sections with plenty of shade, while others open up quite a bit. Be prepared to take on a few hairpins as well. There are berms all along the trail, some of which are wooden or paved. There’s even a wooden bridge on a creek crossing sandwiched between a sharp descent and an incline. Be prepared for a drop or two as well.

You will get some opportunities to take into the air, where, again, you have to be careful since there may be a sharp turn at the end of the jump. Rock gardens are the only thing missing from a technical point of view, although the roots may give you a similar feeling.

The fact that it’s well-shaded means you can take a ride even in the summer heat. On the other hand, the trail closes in muddy or wet conditions to keep it from deteriorating.

Additional Trail Features

1. Extra fees: There are no extra fees to worry about when riding this technical trail.
2. Obstacles: The roots on this trail provide for plenty of obstacles along the singletrack.
3. Shuttles: There aren’t any major transit lines or stations in the area, so shuttles will be hard to come by.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

Part of the trail snakes along Cypress Creek, and you might even have to cross it once or twice. Also, the landscape on the trail is quite serene, ebbing and flowing through the trees. It even goes through a section of the 100 Acre Wood Preserve.

Recommendations/Precautions

Some sections aren’t directional, so watch out for other mountain bikers coming from the opposite direction.