Review Date
August 30, 2009

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: timothy.burgher@gmail.com ,  Downhiller

Summary:
This is a decent group of trails. There is much better stuff in the area, however. I rode here about three years ago and they had started logging the upper section of trails. The trails were intact then. At this point all of those trails are no longer. I think that was the best part of the place. It's a nice forest to ride around in but I didn't like seeing all the ATV tracks all over the place. The trails are not marked well but it's fairly easy to tell where you are going and it's not a big area.

My previous review is below under the name "Ragnarok." My feelings on the area have changed considerably since then. There is much better riding in the area with far better trailbuilding Due to logging lots of the trails here have been lost over the years.

Recommended Route:
From the road where you can see the Fairfax Dam you head straight up any of the steeps paths that come from the parking lots. The trails are on the opposite side of the roads as the dam. I rode around the lower sections of trails for about 20 min then headed up top to where they had been logging. From here you can follow red spray paint marks on trees. There is not much up here. You can either head down some trails or try to find yellow arrows nailed to trees. This will direct you to a really gnarly downhill root that I didn't try riding.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
West Hill and Endo Woods are both great. West Hill has a fairly vast network that connects with other trails in the area. Endo Woods is a small loop but worth checking out.

Review Date
July 12, 2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: wilson ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
An imortant update...Fairfax Falls is back in it's freestyle form. About 50% of the original trails have been reclaimed. Some new trails have been added. Plenty of ups, downs, and drops. A basic loop has been marked but you'll need to explore from the top of to find all the sweet downhills. Intermediate-advanced riding. 1 hr. + loop. Park at Fairfax Falls dam, trailhead is opposite green bridge, go up the wheeler trail.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
smuggler's notch, montgomery area, any fotwheel, nek

Review Date
October 19, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Chris Dussault ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
FYI folks, there's a pretty big logging operation happening on this trail system. I went there yesterday and was greated by the sounds of chainsaws and idling skidders. The trails I know are torn up. Soemone who REALLY knows theie way around up there could probably string together a ride, but it looks pretty wrecked to me. Hopefully it'll be salvaged next year.

Review Date
September 17, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: mc14850 ,  Weekend Warrior , from Ithaca, NY

Summary:
This is a great area! I have just returned from my second day riding there and discovered lots more singletrack. Some very twisty smooth trails through the pines. The stunts others have mentioned are solidly built with a couple nice log skinnies, a few jumps and some really nice stone wall crossings (with the trail zig-zagging back and forth over an old section of stone farm wall). Well worth the drive from B'ton.

Recommended Route:
A steep climb from the parking area brings you to the top of the East/West ridge where the stunts are, just keep heading uphill. If you drop over the other side (South of the ridge) swing to the East of the four wheeler trails for some really nice single track loops in pine forest, sweet stuff.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Catamount, Camp Johnson, Essex Res., Circ. Highway, etc.

Review Date
August 13, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Ragnarok ,  Downhiller , from Burlington, VT

Summary:
Wow! I am impressed. Lot's of fun to be had here. Lot's of flowy singletrack, a few boards and jumps here and there. The area has some fun stone wall crossings too. Definitly worth checking out. You have to go to the very top of the whole area which is quite a climb. I had to hike my bike up to the very top where there is a pine forest with lots of felled trees (but the trails have been cleared). The area is shared with dirt bikes and ATV's but there is still pristine singletrack to be found. Good stuff.

Comments

timothy.burgher@gmai (08/30/2009)

See my new review above as my opionions on the area have changed.

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