5 Ugly Sisters Loop from The Landing

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Branson, MO, US

Route Overview

Vincent Tichenor

Road

69 km

960 m

Rural loop into Arkansas with a segment of climbs called "The 5 Ugly Sisters".

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Route Details

The 5 Ugly Sisters is a staple road ride in the Branson area. It gets its name from five consecutive hills just over the border in Arkansas that can be quite...well, ugly. Cyclists in the area have ridden this loop for decades.

There are a couple of spots from which this loop is usually started. Many riders will start from Branson Landing, cross Lake Taneycomo, then climb out of the White River valley on Evergreen Street. Take note of the @point[Dollar General](d,65636.6) as you turn onto BB highway, because it is the last spot to get any refreshments until mile 25. A couple of turns will bring you past @point[Hollister High School](d,4478.62), which is where many locals start lots of their rides, including this one.

You'll encounter several rolling hills along BB highway before it turns into Gobblers Knob. A steady climb brings you to JJ highway, where the loop officially starts. A left turn and a downhill will see you turn right onto J highway. You'll quickly be greeted by the @point[climb out of Trigger Creek](d,13518.88) before heading toward the small town of Mincy. @point[Turn right](d,17146.78) onto Gunnison Rd. Within about a quarter mile, you will be at the base of the 
@slice[Mincy Climb](d,17610.5,19090.2), which is just over a mile long at 5.4%.

At the start of the Mincy Climb, you will also be entering the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area, which is a great place to see some wildlife. After the climb, you'll drop down into the Bee Creek Valley, which can be @slice[a tricky descent at the bottom](d,22224.1,22461.4), before climbing steadily for a few miles toward the @point[state line](d,26984.07). Be careful descending through @slice[a couple of right hand  turns](d,26990.2,27353.3) as you enter Arkansas; there is sometimes loose gravel at these corners. The second right hander puts you on Stonington Road, the abode of the Sisters.

@slice[The 5 Ugly Sisters](d,27473.8,31981) is not a single climb, but five (or so) climbs all strung together over the course of around 3 miles, with each climb seeming longer than the descent that preceded it. As you are climbing one Sister, you can frequently see the next Sister taunting you further up the ridge. Some of the Sisters are kinder than others, but by the time you get to past the last one, you'll be glad that they're behind you. You've got lots of flat miles now to recover.

After the Sisters, take a right on Highway 14 and head toward Omaha, AR. After 5 miles, you'll turn right to stay on Hwy 14. Just after that turn, there is a @point[Dollar General](d,40436.79) on the left if you need to top off any bottles. Continue on Highway 14, then turn onto Old Springfield Rd, which turns into JJ highway once back @point[in Missouri](d,45780.41). After several relatively flat miles, you will do a couple of short climbs followed by a downhill, which is the location of the notorious @point[Murder Rock](d,56782.64) of Baldknobber fame. Take a left back onto Gobblers Knob to complete the loop and enjoy the rolling hills back down into Branson. Feel free to take BB highway instead of Evergreen since you're now going downhill and won't hold up traffic too badly.

# Related Rides

-[Big Cedar Loop from The Landing](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51547754)  
-[TuNR from Turkey Creek Brewery](https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51076109)

# Important Reminders

-This is a very rural ride and there are very few businesses or places to stop along the route. Pack accordingly.

-There are frequently deer along the road in the Drury-Mincy Conservation Area, so watch out in case they decide to get in front of you.

-Many route planners with show significant portions of this ride as unpaved, but this is not the case; it is all paved.

5 Ugly Sisters Loop from The Landing

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Vincent Tichenor

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5 Ugly Sisters Loop from The Landing

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by Vincent Tichenor

Big Cedar Loop from The Landing

TuNR from Turkey Creek Brewery

The Airport via Maple Street

The Lunch Loop

Ponce de Leon Loop

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