Elroy-Sparta Trail
Entering Deep, Dark Tunnel #3

Tunnel #3 (the longest tunnel at 3/4 of a mile). Unlike the other 2 tunnels, you can't really see the opening at the other end of this tunnel until you go into it a little bit. This is also the wettest tunnel. You feel the cool air as you approach the tunnel and there are small streams on either side of the path (inside and outside of the tunnel) from the tunnel drainage...

OK, I confess, I have ridden (very slowly) through parts of the tunnel when there was no one else around... but I would have to suggest following this rule especially if there are other people around or if you don't have a light on your bike. Actually I'm not sure if you could ride without a light here.

I talked to some people that made it through the shorter tunnels (#1 and #2) without a light, but I really can't imagine not having a light for this one (i.e. tunnel #3)

The "light at the end of the tunnel" (part way through Tunnel #3) (the tracks are gone so you don't need to worry about it being a freight train! :-) ). I love that saying though and this particular view really shows how that might look.

It can give you an uneasy feeling to see the silhouttes of people (that look like they are hanging out) at the other end of the tunnel... but I felt better when I could make out the bikes and realized that they are just trying to get through the darkness too...

You can catch the outline of the tunnel rocks as you approach the light. The light glimmering off the rock walls has a really cool effect here. Once again, sorry this photo is a little blurry and does not capture the feel as well as I would like. There are some much better photos on the following photo page (#4) in this photo tour though.