Otherside of Clarksburg road

[fumoffu]

I kinda got lost on the other side of clarksburg road today. There seems to be very little traffic over there so there was alot of branches and downed trees (not that I mind log hops). There are alot of undesignated trails which confused me , and some of them seem to be in better condition then the real trails. I am real close to Black Hill/ HMC like at least once a week, so I will post back more clear info, when I am less confused about what is suppose to be a trial and what is not.

Many people get over there?

The reroute on Cabin Branch looks like it'll be nice! It's great when a reroute adds to the length of the trail! I really have to get out to one of these trail work days and stop being a loozer.

[heidi]

Do you mean the Cool Spring Run trail with the Turkey Hill, Lake View and Osprey Heights Loops? I've never ridden those, and I've heard they are mainly horse trails.

[fumoffu]

Yup those are the trails that I am taking about.

[jmcgonigle]

They are ok trails, haven't been on them since last year. You have to be careful not to get on the trails created by the fishers that really don't go anywhere. Its about 1/2 single track and 1/2 grassy lanes. Lots of hills though.

[fumoffu]

I was able to just do Cool Springs today. In the first say quater mile from Clarksburg road could use some work with a chain saw or something. Am I suppose to e-mail the trail liasion for this kinda comment?

The rest of the trail seemed in pretty good condition and easy to follow. And there was the mud enbackment next to a stream that is as deep as my front axel. Certainly should be fun doing some more exploring over there.

[edward]

I was able to just do Cool Springs today. In the first say quater mile from Clarksburg road could use some work with a chain saw or something. Am I suppose to e-mail the trail liasion for this kinda comment?

The rest of the trail seemed in pretty good condition and easy to follow. And there was the mud enbackment next to a stream that is as deep as my front axel. Certainly should be fun doing some more exploring over there.

Okay, so this is off subject but on the "Otherside" of the Otherside of Clarksburg Rd there is a partially fallen tree suspended above the HMC trail. It could be dangerous and it's blocking the trail - noticed Monday, May28th.

I don't know how to PM Liz, trail boss. She was able to get someone to clear fallen trees in that area a couple of months ago. Maybe she'll stumble across this thread.

Details: Tree is on HMC Trail between the Clarksburg Rd Parking lot and the Bridge that crosses Little Seneca Lake. The exact location is nearest the Parking Lot on Clarksburg Rd.

Cheers

[saxman]

I rode over the the trail network north of Clarksburg Road today. Holy #$#@! You do 50% more climbing per mile than you do at Little Bennett, which is typically the yardstick for climbing on the MoCo trails. My GPS tipped in at about 180 ft per mile versus 120 - 130 ft per mile at Little Bennett. The grades of the hills are even steeper. My GPS was recording grades in excess of 20% several times in the ride, peaking around 24 - 25%. Likewise, the downhills can be pretty exciting with those kinds of grades. The grassy downhills are like the big grassy field at Little Bennett, but far less worn and longer in length. Cool Spring Run is a nice little gem of singletrack, with some rather technical and steep sections.

The only downside is the mileage is limited on these loops. I clocked out around 4.75 miles to do Cool Spring Run and all the loops. However, it so solidly kicked my butt, 4.75 miles was all that I could do. By the time I got back to my car, my legs felt like lead.

[BottomBraket]

Wait ... there are MTB trials at Black Hill on the west side of Clarksburg Road?

How come no one told me this?

Are there maps?

I wanna go.

[MMMark]

There are trails but very little of it is singletrack. The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road at the top of the hill if you continue on past the last small parking lot for Black Hills. There is an area for parking along 121 across the street from the trailhead. There is a nice singletrack downhill from 121 but that is followed by a very tough uphill that (atmo) is somewhere between extremely challenging and hike-a-bike. There is another nice (but short) section of singletrack after that followed by a short gravel section and then rest of the trails are just cleared grassy areas (zerotrack?). A couple of the grass hills are VERY steep (if you like that sort of thing). We went up there last year to check it out and although it seems to be well-maintained we couldn't tell if anyone was using it. To me it was a lot of work to get past that first hill without much of a payoff afterwards. I'd suggest checking it out for yourself at least once. It's a strange combination of surfaces.

[dan_hudson]

If memory serves, existing opportunity is a "balloon on a string"; a steep-ish sketch singletrack out-and-back to some loops mainly around field edges.

During the Connector Project, Austin had Mr Edwards create a concept for the west side of Clarksburg Road. A bunch of corridors were flagged. There is a significant complication to complete shore circumnavigation in the form of a county-owned home right on the lake. But lots of opportunities on either side of it, including a segment keeping you off Clarksburg Rd heading north from Boyds.

Austin is the best source of detailed info on this - perhaps he'll chime in the next time he takes a peek at the forum.

Want things to happen here? Step up!!!

[saxman]

Wait ... there are MTB trials at Black Hill on the west side of Clarksburg Road?

How come no one told me this?

Are there maps?

I wanna go.

Ask and ye shall receive:

http://www.montgomeryparks.org/PPSD/ParkTrails/trails_MAPS/trailmap_pdfs/black_hill_trails.pdf

You have to look hard for the trailhead. It's close to the intersection of Little Sierra Ct and Clarksburg Road. I've driven 121 a zillion times and I never noticed the trail entrance until I was specifically looking for it. There is a parking area on the shoulder opposite the trail entrance.

I also believe (IIRC) that these trails may be the basis for a continuation of the Hoyles Mill Trail to tie in Little Bennett to Black Hill.

[MMMark]

I also believe (IIRC) that these trails may be the basis for a continuation of the Hoyles Mill Trail to tie in Little Bennett to Black Hill.

Now that would be sweet. :thumbsup:

[mbonsby]

Little Ben Black hill loop. There is some road on this but it is a nice ride, feels like a mini NUE race! http://connect.garmin.com/activity/93546889#.Thsiyl31IF4.email

[mbonsby]

But I only do this when I am camping at LB!