By 7802mark in December, 2011
My wife and I have ridden this trail a few times, most recently in October 2011. The trail surface is great. The scenery is good to great. The trailheads at each end are a bit hard to find. Get detailed directions from the trails web site http://www.avta-trails.org/sandy-creek-trail.html
The one shortcoming, and the reason I give the trail only 4 stars, is a total lack of toilets. It's also a bit remote from other public toilets, such as at gas stations, fast food restaurants, etc. Plan ahead a bit. Cut off your coffee consumption well in advance. Locate and visit a public toilet on your way to the trail. You will be happy you did.
By flyhot in September, 2011
My wife and I rode most of this trail Sept 9 2011. We parked just across the river from Franklin and rode 5 miles down to Sandy Creek. Yes, we did have to push the bikes up the stairs at the Belmar bridge but it was well worth it! I loved the Sandy Creek trail as soon as we started. Very isolated, no other traffic and no road crossings. It is slightly uphill heading away from the river but not a big deal. I enjoyed and my wife hated going through our first tunnel on bicycles. You ride high above Sandy Creek and cross on bridges often with great views. I found nothing negative to this trip. Round trip from Franklin was 21 miles.
By krbrx in August, 2011
This is a great trail but the eastern entrance is not well marked and difficult to find. It is worth finding. From old route 8 at the bottom of the hill where a high bridge crosses Sandy Creek you will see a sign for a bible camp. Enter there then take a right on a dirt road following the signs to Fisherman's cove. Trail head is almost 3 miles in just where the dirt road turns right up a steep hill.