Under Construction: Mountain Bike Trails

The biggest log ride, not far from Elinor's field. The hardest part is the entry onto the log between two cedars (not shown).

The Center has had a small network of mountain bike trails since the mid-80s, but the Pat and Dylan from the GRP have worked in the past year or so to try and expand the system. While there's still work to be done, drainage to be improved, lines to be tweaked, signs to be made and so forth, adventurous cyclists can find enough out in the woods to stay occupied for a couple of hours on these trails in process. The trails under development are geared more to mountain bikers seeking additional challenges like log rides, rock gardens and other obstacles - though most everything has an easier bail out option as well if you're just not feeling it that day. There are lots of fun challenges for more advanced riders out there!

The trick is finding these trails. Participants in our trail running series have been on some sections, racers from last year's mountain bike race saw chunks of them, snowshoers may recognize some sections, but for the time being, navigation is still part of the adventure on these paths. As an aid, last week I went out with the Center's GPS, a couple of trail tools and a camera to give you a sense of where these trails go and what they offer.

Before I go any further, I will point out that while there may not be signage on all the mountain bike trails just yet, one will find signs for where one can NOT go. Some of these cross private property or are snowshoe trails that are impassable in summer. It goes without saying, but please stay off any trail or other area that is marked closed for the summer. Thanks!

GPS Trace of the new ATB trails at the Center.

With that in mind, check out the trace from my ride:Unsurprisingly, most of the trails are fairly close to Elinor's House. The most surefire way to reach these trails is to take the very well-marked, pre-existing red mountain bike trail starting at the Touring Center. About 1/4 of the way around the trail, you'll see a set of orange arrows and a galvanized bucket to your right. Follow these south toward Elinor's House and keep your eyes peeled - you're in the heart of the new trails at this point. Most of them are to riders' right as you head south, so keep scanning (and hopefully our maintenance efforts will get them raked to a point that it's not a huge deal to see them).

Alternatively, if you travel on the ski trails, you can access the new terrain by heading out from the Touring Center as though you were going to ride Race Loop. Take the fork to the right at the 6 corner intersection. You are now on Bayley Hazen Cutoff going south - or backward from how most people ski it. Again, watch to your right. If you get all the way to Elinor's field and haven't seen any trails, turn right, following the mowed path, roughly along the tree line. You'll feed into the trails at the southeast corner of the woods that sticks out into the field west of where the GRP have planted squash currently.

Once you're on the trails, they're fairly obvious - and are going to become more so as more and more people ride them. Honestly, this is one of the best jobs you can volunteer for:  riding in mountain bike trails! If you're an independent mountain biker comfortable in all types of terrain, I encourage you to give it a go. Be sure to send us your feedback - we're really hoping to increase the options for mountain biking here at the Center and would love to get your input.

Blood, sweat and tears went into these trails. The only one of these that is easy to photograph is blood. A faceplant opened up my nose a bit.

These trail markers are for one of trail running courses. They often coincide with the ATB tracks - but not necessarily contiguously.

Example of snowshoe trail markers. Again, these may be helpful as you explore, but don't rely on them exclusively.