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Whitney State Forest
6 reviews
3.33 of 5
99% singletrack with a fire road. Beginner/Intermediate trail has obstacles (logs) and a couple of water crossings. Wildlife in the area (deer, squirrels, etc - this IS a state forest).
Off of highway 29 (and Coming North - turn Left/Coming South - turn Right) on 744, just south of Warrenton. Then turn left on 684. Go about 1/2 mile and you will see a State Forest marker (Whitney State Forest) on the right hand side of the road. There is a small parking lot.
Summary: Clearly some people have put some work into this system and I think they deserve a hand for creating a fun network of trails on a small patch of land. This is an afterthought of a State Forest which appears to have been created primarily for the use of (blech) equestrians. In their defense this IS hardcore horse country as will be made abundantly clear to you after only one ride.
The trails are 90 percent under heavy canopy which gives you a real "in the woods" feel and they really do drain well. Even the muddy areas aren't all that bad, unless a horse has torn it up recently.
While the elevation changes aren't drastic, there are enough roots, logs, pyramids and little technical challenges to make it frustrating for absolute beginners. I would rate this place a little more difficult than Conway Robinson and much more difficult (again, for the beginner) than the main loops at Laurel Hill.
My oldest kid didn't have too many problems with it but the un-groomed aspects threw him for a loop after having ridden nothing but Wakefield and Laurel. He described it as bumpy and slow because he was constantly looking just ahead of his tire to pick lines. I'll have to see how his younger, more fearless, brother does.
This is a great after work or got-an-hour-or-so-to-kill trail for those of us close enough to enjoy it regularly.
Recommended Route: There are three trails leading into the woods. Take one and see where it goes. I have followed the advice of others here and started on the left because it does lead downhill for a little ways and includes a cool little drop-off. Keep you eyes peeled for an impassable creek crossing followed by a steep rutted climb. Impress your friends by clearing this section with your mad trials skillz.
Other recommended trails in the same area: If you're out this far then you know the secret spots. Don't tell anyone from Fairfax because they might come out and build a sweet berm or some features. Remember, never tell Fairfax people about Whitney State Forest off of 29 just south of Warrenton.
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Summary: This trail was a pretty sweet find for me. I usually ride Conway Robinson because it only takes 5 or so minutes to get there from my house. If I do not feel like driving it's nice to know that I have another pretty descent trail within 20 minutes from Conway Robinson.
The trail is nothing too outragous, tight and lots of twisty turns, kind of hard to find momentum, but it just takes a little getting used to. Oh, did I mention it was tight, so you have to choose good lines to carry speed. Every climb is very doable, and throw in a couple stream crosses you have an excellent trail. I would not recommend going to this trail if Wakefield, Accotink, or Fountain Head is closer, unless you just want to try something new.
Recommended Route: Start off on the furthest trail on the left, that will get you pointed in the fun diretion (down) for a good 30 seconds before you start going flat, up, down, flat, turn, turn and so on. After you hit the log ramp, after the creek crossing, turn left and climb, keep climbing, and then you hit another 40 to 80 second descent, depending on your taste.
This is my preferred route, there are many others to discover.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Conway Robinson, tight but hardly any elevation changes, oh yeah, it's pretty rocky, but only in some spots, hard to make it through the rock gardens because you loose speed pretty easily.
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Summary: Spent 3 hours blasting through all the trials. Fantastic workout. Wide trails to dense singletrack. Rode right after a hard rain. Area drains well with just a few mud bogs. Will definitely go back.
Recommended Route: Started at leftmost trail from parking lot and worked to the right. Turned left at every intersection. Had to double back a few times. Need to go in with GPS and map the layout.
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Review Date August 23, 2002
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Reviewed by: Mitch
, from Warrenton
Summary: This is a State forest. Although it's not a weekend destination trail, it's a great place for time trialing or short evening rides on a fast loop. It's got a little bit of everything, wooded singletrack, log crossings, twisties, short steep climbs, and stream crossings. Has as Nice 1/4 mile down hill to bomb down at 30+ and launch off of the water berms. The perimeter loop is short (3 miles), but there are a lot of sub trails to explore. About total of 8-9 miles worth of trails total. The nice thing is You cant get lost, so go explore. The park is only 147 acres, and all the trails eventually cross the 1 mile fire road which cuts through the middle of the park. Pick the right directon and your back to the car in mins. Nicer than Wakefield ,just shorter (and less crowded!) . If your within a 30 min. drive of Warrenton, check it out some evening. Great place for intermediate or a beginner, or for an advanced rider to blast some quick laps for an hour if your pressed for time.
Recommended Route: From parking lot, Drop into the corner and take the first trail on the left. This is the perimeter loop, It's about 3 miles long. Once you cross over the Bridge onto the fireroad , bear left to pickup the singletrack again.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Markham ( go to the second Thompson parking lot on 688)
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Review Date August 7, 2002
Overall Rating 1 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a year
Reviewed by: Long Range
, from NOVA
Summary: This place is really small and NOT worth the drive. The longest loop is no more than 20 minutes! Easier then Wakefield, shorter than fountainhead and not much to ride unless you like going in circles for an hour or so. If you are going to drive here you may as well keep going to Elizabeth Furnace.
Recommended Route: Increasingly smaller circles inside forest and then go opposite direction.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Fountainhead. Wakefield/accotink. Elizabeth Furnace.
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