NOTE: 03/01/01 - We don't have an up to date report on Old Draper. This place has been largely ignored due to A. the rumor that the place would be closed 'soon', B. the new OEF project just 1 mile away (Nudraper), and C. major errosion problems. It's probably totally overgrown and rutted out. No word on this trail in almost a year. Sad but true. This place use to be 'the best'...

Old stuff - Text by Gary C. Miller.
The Lake Thunderbird trail system is around 4½ miles of single track which is shared by hikers. There are two trail heads. The first is ¾ of a mile north of Highway 9 and the Clear Bay entrance on the east side of the winding two lane road, just a little past the horse riding stables. When you get to the first parking lot down by the lake, you just past it. The Clear Bay entrance is on the north side of Highway 9 and is about 10 miles east of I-35. The second is just north of Highway 9 and the South Dam entrance on the west side of Thunderbird Dam road. The South Dam entrance, off of Highway 9, is 1 mile east of the Clear Bay Entrance. The trail system is between these two trail heads and is basically three ovals arranged as two sets of interlocking figure-8's. There are actually maps at the trail heads and at all the intersections within the system, so you can't get lost. The trail system itself is mostly single track and not technical, but there are some long hill climbs so you can get a good aerobic workout. It is sandy in spots, dries out fast after a rain, and there is lots of poison ivy in the summer. There are several side trails, which are clearly marked, that are closed to bikes. There are also seemingly hundreds of annoying wooden landscape timbers throughout the trail system that are used to protect against soil erosion. On the positive side, they are great opportunities to practice your bunny hops or to catch a little air. It is not uncommon to see first time riders about ready to pass out due to exhaustion with newly purchased 45 lb. mountain bikes, from either Service Merchandise or Target. After offering any assistance, I ride away with a smile on my face and often reflect on my first time riding a mountain bike which was out at Lake Draper. It was ugly. You may not embrace Thunderbird the first time you ride it, but it is uncrowded and it does grow on you, so be sure to give it a second and third chance.