Thacker Mountain Rail-Trail:
Mississippi
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Description:
The Thacker Mountain Rail-Trail is part of a network of trails linking the community of Oxford. This rail corridor was the site of the Buckner's Trestle train wreck in 1870, a disaster that was described at the time in Harper's Magazine.

There is possibility that the Thacker Mountain Trail will someday extend to Thacker Mountain Road, up to the fire tower and out to Old Taylor Road. The trail is about 20 feet wide and has a stone ballast surface, originally laid down as a base for the rail line in the 1850s. You might see the University Cross Country Team out running under the shade of the hardwood canopy, or members of the Oxford Cycling Club on their way to ride the more challenging mountain bike trails that branch off from the rail bed.

This trail links with another rail-trail, Oxford Depot (northeast of campus), and the plan is to link the two trails. Until then, the two trails are connected by a series of bike lanes, sidewalks and University roadways. Bike lanes on Gertrude Ford Parkway connect through the roundabout to Old Taylor Road. There are bike lanes south to the light at Whirlpool Drive and beyond to Kitchenaid Drive (the old whirlpool entrance).

An alternative route (rather than the Old Taylor Bridge over Rt. 6) from the Thacker Mountain Trail to the Oxford Depot Trail is to go over the Coliseum Drive bridge (access via Front Street) to Hill Drive then Manning Way. You'll pass the indoor practice facility and track then access Getrude Ford Parkway, which has bike lanes.

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Parking & Trail Access:
Oxford, MS, is south of Memphis, MS, along US 278 at Rt. 7, the home of "Ole Miss" University. Parking is available at the end of Coliseum Drive, south of US 278; at the OPC complex on Price Street; Stone Park or the Oxford Middle School at Washington Ave; The Depot/Ford Center Lot and the MDOT lot at Old Taylor Road and MS-6.

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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Thacker Mountain Trails
By sniper12 in December, 2011
Great trail system. Enough trail variety to appease whatever riding you enjoy most. From flat trailbed to hilly switchbacks. The woodsy scenery of the trails off the main track are top notch and offers some great opportunities to enjoy nature. For those who enjoy the sport/hobby of geocaching this trail system offers about a dozen well placed geocaches to enhance your trail enjoyment even further. Look for even more geocaches in the future as this large expanse offers space and locations for many more geocaches!

I have heard from several sources this trail systems is one of the best in the state.

Even though efforts have been made to mark and map these trails(and there are many) one of it's downfalls is lack of trailhead markers and directions back to the main trailhead.One could easily get lost and disoriented in the myriad of trails spanning out in all directions. GPS use is highly suggested unless you are familiar with the trail system.
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