Douglas SF??

[Body2Big]

Ok I went to BVNEMBA and saw Douglas as a place to ride. I also read that there was parking on Willis st? I could not find Willis st. Anyone still ride or been to Douglas recently? I follwed rt 16 for a bit and even passed the Douglas High school. I saw some trails but was unsure where to park or which trails to follow?

Thanks
Shawn

[steve_b]

I assume you are looking for Douglas State Forest? The trail you saw by the High School is a powerline / natural gas line trail, and nothing memorable.

You need to go the other way on Rte. 16 towards Webster - West from Douglas Village. The SF is about 5 miles west of town, and the easiest place to park is right on 16 at the Midstate trailhead. It's on your left, shortly after you see a "Horse Crossing" sign, and there's a kiosk in the lot.

You might want to printout the map from the DCR site to bring along. Even though it doesn't show all the trails, Douglas SF is a big park, and takes a few rides to learn the trails - especially the more remote areas.

Douglas SF has great riding.......I hope you like rocks. 8)

[Body2Big]

Yes The Douglas State Forest. I have GPS so not to worried about getting lost. I live about 12 miles or so from it. I took the backroads from my house and saw a sign for the trailhead on the backroad if I was to park there and take the trailhead will that bring me into the other trails? It was on S.E. Main st. I came out from S.E. main onto rt 16 but I turned right and followed it toward the High School. I guess I should have turned left? I came out about a mile or so before the Douglas Fire Station.

Thanks Steve.
Shawn

[Body2Big]

I just went back to yahoo maps and checked my directions again it says turn Right onto 16 however I zoom in on the map and its Highlighted to the left ??? So aggravating. I am going to try again tommoro I went without the bike today just to find it, Tommoro I will take the bike I hope. weather and my body cooperates.

Shawn

[steve_b]

When you get to Rte. 16, go west on 16. If you are coming up SE Main st from RI, it will be a left turn. You want to go towards Webster. You need to go 3-4 miles further west, past the fire station. Be carefull of the weird intersection just past the cemetary (on your left) and the town square (on your right). You will take a 90 degree right turn, but you will still be on Rte 16 west.

Going straight on SW Main street will take you to the park, as well - you can follow the signs. The straight ahead route is the main park entrance and there's a beach. There's also an entrance fee, if that's an issue. The park rangers actually prefer mtb'ers park in the rte 16 and other lots, not the main one as it is fairly small and fills up fast on weekends. I suggest starting from the Midstate trail lot first, it's the easiest to find. There are easily over 10 different ways to enter the trails there.

If you want the $.01 tour on a monday or tuesday night - including this coming week - I can easily string togther a 1,2, or 3 hour loop there.

[Body2Big]

I would like to take a good tour of the SF but I now get to work Mon -Sat most weeks as I picked up a second job. :'(. I am on Vacation next week from one of them and should have wed, thur,fri sat ,sun and mon the holiday off. I may go now as I just got home from work and want to get an hour or so ride in. I am going to the arcadia fun ride this sunday if the weather is good. If your able to ride Monday during the mid morning or a later day in the week let me know. I have one hell of a crazy schedule now.

thanks
Shawn

[Body2Big]

Well I parked at the RTE 16 parking, I followed a couple trails YUP lots of rocks ;D. Also lots of water. Only rode approx. 4 miles I ended up following the Schmidt trail till I came to another street then turned onto a small trail to my right and followed that for awhile then turned around and came back.

Shawn

[steve_b]

I am on Vacation next week from one of them and should have wed, thur,fri sat ,sun and mon the holiday off.

Next Wednesday is a possibility, but I'm going to be out of town for the holiday weekend.

[steve_b]

Well I parked at the RTE 16 parking, I followed a couple trails YUP lots of rocks . Also lots of water. Only rode approx. 4 miles I ended up following the Schmidt trail till I came to another street then turned onto a small trail to my right and followed that for awhile then turned around and came back.

Next time you go back, instead of the Schmidt trail, take the singletrack that goes up over the hill. It's marked by yellow triangles, and is part of the Midstate trail. It's easy to follow and get real technical in spots. You can follow it North in the other direction as well. Follow the same yellow markers, but on the other side of rte 16.

There's other good trails there, as well, but it takes some exploring and multiple visits to learn your way around.

[onionhead]

I know this is old, but...

The road you were probably looking for was Wallis Street. There "is" parking there, but it's not all that obvious. It's right before the causeway (assuming you're coming from 16) that crosses Whitin Reservoir. It's basically right on the side of the road, at a brown gate. There is no real parking area like the other entrances... people fishing on the res park there. If you go up the wide fire-road behind the gate, you'll come to an old abandoned camp/summer house on a pond, owned by the Wallis's -- an old prominent family in the town... hence the name. There is a smaller trail down along the water that's pretty nice.

Yeah, there is definitley at least 6 entrances where you can park. I know Rt 16 is the popular one (very convenient), but it's probably my least favorite part of the forest, unless you stick to the Midstate Trail. (anyone remember the old rock-bed there before it was bulldozed??)

Has anyone ridden in the relateively new entrance they put in down right near the Webster line on 16? I accidentally ended up down near Indian Ranch from my house up on the Sutton/Oxford/Douglas line last year - the riding down near Webster was pretty nice - fast, hardpacked, smooth... I have to wonder if it's the same in that newer area.

[doolin64]

I used to live on the other side of Indian ranch...thats it. LOL But I'm planning on heading to DSF thursday at 6pm. Starting up in the midstate parking lot. Haven't been there in years since I owned a dirtbike. Just and invite if you're interested. I'm not a fast rider so if your interested look for a Silver Tacoma there tommorrow.

[onionhead]

Ah shoot, I won't be able to get out there tomorrow. (Today, yes.)

I probably won't be able to ride this area again until Monday or so.

Which parking lot are you starting at there, the one on 16? The most notable change there since the dirtbike days would be the removal of that old rock-bed. It's now a dirt road. The North side of things there is mostly unchanged, except for a good amount of the smaller trails growing in from lack of use.

[doolin64]

Today I have to help move furniture after work. Fun fun. But hit me up with a message next week and I'll hit the trails with you.

jkokocinski at hotmail dot com.


Koko

[steve_b]

Anyone interested in riding Douglas this coming Tuesday Sept. 6th or Friday the 9th? I can be there ready to ride at 5:30. There's several different 2 hour loops to do there.

[doolin64]

Depends on the pace, I wouldn't want to slow you guys down. But I'd be up for it.

[onionhead]

I could probably do the 9th, but I can't get back into town unti closer to 5:45 or so... :(

[steve_b]

I might be able to do the 9th, as well. It depends on how bad I get beaten up on my weekly Thursday night ride.

For anyone who is interested in riding Tuesday the 6th:
http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/index.php?board=20;action=display;threadid=7541