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Dead Mans Hill
2 reviews
3.5 of 5
Though its small, this place has something for everyone. It was coined "Dead Man's Hill" by the local High School students long ago. Not quite sure why. Anyway, there are trails of all skill levels in the area. The easiest is of course the black path that runs along the bottom. The most difficult being the pipeline descent, especially the top. Getting to the top can be easy or really hard, depending on how you go. The easiest way to get up the hill is to continue on Phoenixville Pike past the path another half mile to a road called "Yellow Springs." Turn left. The road climbs for about 3/4 mile. Just before the highway overpass, there's a short driveway and a trail on the left. That trail will take you directly to the top of the pipeline. A lot of developing has been going on in the area so do watch out for that as you're riding. Otherwise, have fun exploring. There aren't a lot of trails, but it can be a good workout since there's no really short way to get up and down the place. Lots of really loose, sandy, descents that toss your bike around. And some of the trails are just insanely covered in rocks. My only warning is watch out for the glass. Local high school kids still use this place to drink.
Park at Great Valley High School, at Rte 401 and Phoenixville Pike. Just 200 yards north on 401 from Rte 202. Turn right onto Phoenixville Pike from the main driveway and ride about 200 yards, to a driveway and dirt path on the left. Follow the dirt path for about a half mile, around the gate (always stay to the left here. A guy with many angry dogs lives on the right) and paths will start popping up on the right, which all take you to various parts of the hill.
Summary: The downhill that bull talks about that goes along the pipeline is pretty insane. Maybe one of the most insane downhills I've seen since it's all loose rocks. I actually include these trails in a longer ride I do in the area. If you get a map of chester county, look
to see if it has the horseshoe trail marked on it.
Most of the horseshoe trail has been developed over or converted to roads but there are still a few sections in this area. I ride down lower pine creek road, and about halfway between rt. 401 and yellow springs rd. you'll find a trail. Take that (it's a pretty good 3/4 mile uphill trail from there with a few little
loops that go off of it) up to bodine rd. continue on bodine and look for the yellow "blazes" painted on trees and telephone poles along the way. (these let
you know you are still following the "horseshoe" trail.) You'll take a left (I forget the name of the road, but just follow the yellow blazes), then a right on green rd. Follow green to the end. You'll be at a "T" here. Across from you is a big open field that looks like is being prepared to have a new development put in it. It's a shame because it looks like they plowed over a section of the horseshoe trail here.
Anyway if you just go straight across the field towards the woods, you'll pick up the horseshoe trail again in the woods. If you follow this along, it will
dump you out on yellow springs, turn right and go over the turnpike and then you will see the dirt road on the right that bull talks about in his review. So,
anyway if you do all this in combination with dead man's hill you can put together a pretty good mountain bike ride (although you'll spend part of it on the
road). I've heard conflicting info about whether or not you're allowed to go riding on these sections of the horseshoe trail, but what the hell I go on them
anyway.
Recommended Route: see above
Other recommended trails in the same area: french creek, marsh creek, brandywine creek state park, hibernia park, west chester university south campus, fair hill, iron hill
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Review Date October 23, 2000
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a month
Reviewed by: Stiff
, from Malvern,pa
Summary: Basicly, the trails inside Dead Man's Hill are steep, slow,technical and full of loose rock. These trails are great to burn your lungs out going up, and then chip some teeth going down. I would advise that people riding these trails be careful not to encroach on other people's land. Have fun
Recommended Route: Read Bull's review. He's got it down.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Beer Valley. If you don't know, don't ask.
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3.5 of 5
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4 of 5
4 of 5
