Review Date
July 6, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: cdouble ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Visiting from out of state and so I tried out these trails for a change of pace from riding hiking trails and logging roads in the Caroga Lake area. Great move - these trails are outstanding. Mixture from flowy singletrack to more technical stuff, rock gardens, bridges, etc. There are so many trails back there it is easy to get lost so bring a GPS or compass and map. Bugs were pretty bad (deer flies especially), but other wildlife was pretty good (rabbits, deer, occasional coed from Skidmore). I was riding a 32:18 single speed hard tail which was a bit of a hand full - I would consider brining my geared full suspension next time. I will gladly pay my $35 trail use fee as soon as I get to one of the local bike shops, these trails are really well designed and maintained.

Recommended Route:
Don't know the names but there is a wide singletrack that loops through the entire area and fun trails all seem to shoot off that main loop.

Review Date
May 24, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: borg111 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
First, don't take your novice friend here. This is advanced stuff. Second, join SMBA, they work hard so you can have fun.3rd, bring a compass and have orienteering skills!!The map isn't too helpful as there seem to be many trails not on it, like this monster called Sybil. This thing is dangerously technical when wet- and it carries a blue marker!!!are they kidding? The route starting as BEE and going treacherously into the premier trail, the DAM trail must be the finest, brutally technical 90 minute romp in the NE - and I've been to Burke and Garnett, etc- Rocks,roots,ledges,slab rock,streams,ups and downs, acrobatic turns thru obstacles, everything. And, unlike most such NE trails, even in the famous areas, it NEVER seems to end.When you finish you will be very, very satisfied with yourself.EXHILIRATING! I suggest first timers don't even think about going when wet.Even if you're good.

Recommended Route:
as above

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Garnett Hill

Review Date
November 23, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: smba ,  Downhiller

Summary:
Well the trails are back and they are better than ever. A few more additions to what was there.

In the process of producing a new map and signing all trails.

Webusted our buts and got it done.

Things are looking good!

Review Date
May 11, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: smba ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
All of you are right about how much work it will take to restore the trails. It is a huge undertaking. In the end this area will be better than before the logging.

The log roads that were created turn into beginner to intermediate fast trails. Off of those will be even more singltrack than before. But we need help!

What I see is a classic response and action from riders. Don't want to work to ride trails, you just want to ride what someone else has built. When it disapears you complain. Let's bring it back better than ever.

The costs for that property due not stop at the insurance. The land casts $5,000 to lease so we can ride and build trails on that property. SMBA opens, and keeps mountain bike terrain open.

If you can look at it like all the current members, it is not a pay to ride thing. It is to become a member of an advocacy group who keeps terrain open to riding. Just like NEMBA and IMBA, but on a smaller scale.

SMBA is a not-for-profit organization that is in the red every year! We need your help to build a better trail network and work towards the future of miles of terrain.

Review Date
May 8, 2004

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: Adirondack Blues ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Probably some good technical riding, but the SMBA will have it's hands full trying to fix all the damage from the logging that is going on there. From what I can tell, about 3/4 of the rideable trails have been completely destroyed by loggers. I'd like to support the efforts of the SMBA, but there's far too much work to be done back there, and the logging has spoiled the natural appearance of the area. We only saw two other riders in the 3-4 hours we were there.

All in all, there appears to be a fair amount of currently inaccessable technical riding. Rocks, logs, bridges, etc. I don't think this area is what it once was though, and it will be many years before it looks like it used to.

Recommended Route:
Well, I don't know the trails that well- basically, we tried to ride everything that wasn't closed or being ripped apart by logging- which wasn't much. Forget about the dam loop and the bee loop- maybe try sybil if you like a technical challenge. The 107(?) trail and the inner loop were ok.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Spier Falls (tough!)