Kingdom Trails

[Tim]

I'm heading up to the Kingdom Trails this weekend, fitting some riding in between hosting 30 tap-dancing women at our ski house. Anybody have any "don't miss" trails? I am planning to head over the the trails around Burke Mountain, just because that's where we ski, but other recommendations would be appreciated too.

Tim

[BadDNA]

I'd hit the Darling Hill side of things myself. Don't miss: Pound Cake, Tody's Tour, Webs, Old Webs, Sidewinder, Heaven's Bench or Pines.

[Husqvarna]

Ride all the single track on Darling Hill west then east of the ridge. Last time i was on Jaw it was pretty worn out, so i would skip it, unless its been redesigned.

[Superb Man]

With an early start you can get quite a bit (most) of KT in a day. Like Badna says the Darling Hill area is the prime KT area-Though I like the area that connects to Pinkham Notch (White school trail, Pond trail, Pete's) and Moose Alley is a heck of a fun descent.

While the trails on the Burke Ski area side are great (J-bar, etc)-they are a notch below the rest of KT's finest-IMHO that is, and if pressed for time I'd hit the other areas first.

[Tim]

Thanks for the great info. Regarding the rain, are the trails mostly firm enough to ride even if it's been raining? Or do they need a day to dry out?

I will be riding down in Franconia Friday, rain or shine - the trails I have in mind are not too affected by rain so I am hoping for the best.

Tim

[C.P.]

I was riding KT all Memorial wkend. My wife & I took turns riding w/ the kids, and riding with other friends. When my turn came Sunday, it had been raining for a good 2 hours. It let up for a bit, & I headed out to Darling hill side, and rode the BEST ride I've done in years. Took the 29er SS and couldn't hide my ear to ear grin...and the trails were fine with the wet surface, Darling hill tends to drain better then Burke...sorry for the rambling...it was just so much fun...

Oh yeah, here's a pic of me with my turn riding with the kids on Sat...we hit the easy trails after I pulled them up Darling Hill to Mtn View (whew!) and eventually made our way over to Kitchell, which, with some extra checking of Luke's Seatbelt prior to "takeoff" (he cant reach the pedals yet) we promptly rode down...at the bottom, I got a "thumbs up Dad"...and I think a few "you must be crazy" looks from strangers...

[splat]

If you do go to Burke side ,Make sure you hit up Moose alley , would be worth a Shuttle run Up pinkham road .

[Tim]

Thanks folks - that's great info, especially about the drainage. The forecast is looking pretty ugly;-(

Tim

[Tim]

Well, had a good ride on Saturday - did most of the stuff on the west side of Darling Hill Road. Helped some crazy women with a mechanical at the start of Harp, and they were kind enough to let me tag along for a tour. I think they maybe needed a full-time mechanic, because I've never seen so many disasters per mile. In the space of maybe 5 - 7 miles they had the busted hanger, two falls off bridges, one endo / bloody nose, and one totally tacoed wheel.

Favorite trail was Tody's, I think. Sidewinder was fun, but maybe a little intense - I'd like to try it in slightly drier conditions. I was also totally fried from the day before, so that had an effect also. Nice rides overall - got to go back with the family sometime. Despite the overall wetness (it was wicked humid and drizzling from time to time) the trails were in pretty decent shape.

Tim