Review Date
February 10, 2008

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: jdog ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
This place is getting better all the time. You will find a lot more info on www.mtbnj.com There will be some organized trail days this season that have been aproved by the park rangers.

Recommended Route:
Start at route 27 and head west.

Enjoy

Review Date
January 4, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: rutgersgrad98 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
One of the best trails around. Narrow single-track, with quick ups-and-downs. Great for a beginner-novice or someone looking for a fun and peaceful place to ride. Trail is well maintained by a group of dedicated riders. I like to pick up a sub sandwich at the Wawa before riding and picnic by the Rangers Station at the D&R canal.

Recommended Route:
Park at the Jersey Knights soccer field. Enter trail in the back, behind the port-o-potty. Ride out to the rangers station at Blackwells Mills and come back.

Review Date
September 5, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: late_start ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Overall, I really enjoy riding at Six Mile. There are some guys who are fairly active in maintaining the trails and fixing the bridges, etc. While it's try the place is not large, what it has to offer is fun. I noticed some comparisons to Mercer. I think Six Mile is more fun because it actually has some elevation change periodically that creates a roller-coaster ride. Of course there are no long descents or climbs but at least there is some elevation change. I enjoy the obstacles that are currently set up such as the see-saw near the trail entrance on the Rt 27 side. The bridges are fun to take newbies over since everybody tends to be surprised when they first encounter a narrow bridge. One caution: I seem to get a minor outbreak of poison ivy almost every time I visit Six Mile.

Recommended Route:
Park at the soccer fields off of Rt 27, roughly 1/2 mile south of intersection of Cozzens and 27. Enjoy all the trails between 27 and South Middlebrush road. I don't recommend the trails west of Middlebrush because they are overgrown or very swampy for the most part. There are couple decent sections but getting to them is not worth the trouble unless the weather has been bone dry for a long time.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Chimney Rock is a great place to ride. Kilmer is not quite a large or fun as Six Mile but it's very close by. Harshorne, Huber are great.

Review Date
April 21, 2006

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 5 votes

Reviewed by: solarity ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Six Mile Run is a state park trail network flanked by the D&R Canal, a series of open plains, farmland, corn fields, pine groves and local roads. It is bordered by Rt. 27, Canal Rd., Blackwell Mills Rd., and Jacques Rd. South Middlesbush Rd. bisects Six Mile run separating it into two halves as you have to cross this road to continue on from one side to another. There are two main parking accessible trailheads, these include the ranger station parking lot and the soccer field off of Rt. 27. Both are in Franklin Twp. The rangers station is off of Canal Rd. and sits close to the corner of Canal and Blackwell Mills Rd. (4pt. stop intersection next to wooden bridge/D&R Canal towpath). The soccer field trailhead is off of Rt. 27 just past the WaWa (on the left if you are coming from the north) and just past Stewerts (on your left) if you are coming from the south. The soccer field is on the south bound side of 27 in Franklin Park/North Brunswick Twp. border where there is a large gravel parking lot. The trailhead is located towards the back left of the lot when your back is to Rt. 27 (to the left of the utility/storage sheds). There are two smaller parking lots off of Jacques and S. Middlebush which are mainly used by the hunters (near pine groves) – not recommended. From the soccer field trailhead take the first left and proceed through the off camber section of trail. From the ranger station lot ride on the side walk, go past the port o potty passing the ranger station on your right, go through the opening in the trees onto the flood plain and work your way across it accessing the trail to the far right next to the stream. Keep heading straight, you will flank the corn field twice. When going onto the corn field for the second time make a right and pass through the tall grass, onto the line of planks and over the bridge crossing (small stream).

As you ride six mile you will be led through mainly hard pack, (except when wet) tight single track, several low lying flood plains with tall grass, stream crossings, 12 ft long and smaller narrow wooden bridges with most of them being no higher than two feet and several clearings ranging from pine groves, high tension wire/gasline cut outs and corn fields. Elevation changes are mainly mild with some acute, steep climbs/drops. You will go through a section of dense, tall pines which create a narrow, tight trail and it will be darkly shaded due to tree density. Another section of trail will bring you past a house with a large pond behind it, next to this area you ride over a series of crates as this area is usually swampy with 3” deep mud. Towards the Rt. 27 trailhead exists a stretch of off camber rolling single track which is fun to ride at speed. Most of the trails are smooth with the exception of the occasional root patches and minor ‘rock gardens.’

During the summer the brush is dense and teeming with thorn vines and the insects are plentiful. If you ride here often you will likely encounter horse pies on the ranger station side as the trails are frequented by equestrians. Six Mile Run will flood at the drop of a hat and retain water for long periods of time as most of the area is low lying below the water level of the canal and Milestone River. Stream crossing will be difficult as they overflow easily after rain and 3” plus thick mud is everywhere so refrain from riding here when it has rained recently. Starting from the soccer field trailhead after rain can be deceiving as that section drains better because of the higher elevation, but you will quickly find out how flooded and muddy this place can get after you cross the high tension wire field so wait until the trails drain.

You will have to cross a wide stream before crossing South Middlebush road (coming from ranger station trailhead) or after crossing South Middlebush road (coming from soccer field). When at the normal water level (4-6” deep) it will be easy to cross if you keep momentum so don’t hesitate. Use caution when crossing S. Middlebush as the cars drive fast on that road and there are blind spots. Keep an eye out for the continuation of the trail at S. M. Road. (driveway on ranger station side and two wooden posts on soccer field side.

The bottom line is that Six Mile Run can be fast and fun for the experienced and safe proving grounds for beginners. So have fun and please stay off any illegal or unmarked trails. Maps and info are available at the ranger station. Beware of hunters in the fall and always keep an eye out for hikers when hitting those blind corners.

Recommended Route:
See. Above.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Chimney Rock, Sourland, Ringwood, Hartshorne.

Review Date
April 17, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: routergod ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
This is my second trail ever, my first was Chimney Rock (Yeah, I know.....what the hell was I thinking ;-) anyway back to the subject matter... I thought it was a very good trail. Definetly something to take my wife to (although you may be not take her too far into it unless you want to carry 2 bikes on the way back) I recommend eye protection because of stray branches. Also, NOT RECOMENDED WHEN IT'S too wet since there were entire sections where I felt like I was in a circus pedaling in place! but again, I'm a newbie so take this whole review with a grain of salt. Anyway, great hardtail trail. I will update my post when I go more often and learn more about MTB.

ROUTERGOD OUT.

Recommended Route:
Soccer field router. Turn at the big "2121 Knights" sign and park. You will see a soccer field on right, head towards it and you'll see the begining of the trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Chimeny Rock (only if you have FS bike!)