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digger
July 7th, 2008, 11:07 AM
NSNEMBA's National Trails Day project was the addition of a new loop trail in Willowdale SF that serves to connect a property recently acquired by Essex County Greenbelt Association with adjacent DCR lands. The trail is quite a bit of fun but could benefit from more use. NSNEMBA and Greenbelt encourage you to park at the ECGA trailhead and access the other great trails in the area. This trailhead has more room than the footbridge pull-offs on Topsfield Rd. and is less crowded than the main parking area at Bradley Palmer. Or just try the new trail when you are in the area. See map for guidance or contact trailwork@nsnemba.org if you have any questions.


http://home.comcast.net/~danstreeter/pineswamp/WMtrailhead.jpg
ragerider
July 7th, 2008, 03:07 PM
It looks like there is quite a bit of singletrack in that area. Is it any good? Technical??
I have ridden in or through there before but it has been a long time and I probably didn't ride many of those trails.
OldSloDoggie
July 7th, 2008, 05:14 PM
Join us on one of the Monday Night Chapter Rides. We'll hit the new NEMBA trails, plus the Willowdale singe track. Good? All singletrack is good to me. Not as technical as say Harold Parker, but swoppy and fun.

http://www.nemba.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21234
digger
July 7th, 2008, 05:24 PM
Pine Swamp, as Willowdale SF is known north of Topsfield Road and Bradley Palmer SP, is better than it once was due to some nice trails that have developed over time. There's enough singletrack to make things interesting.

The trail NSNEMBA built in 2006 across the street is a must do ride. Get it while you can - this section of BP is due to be logged with unknown result.

The singletrack is moderate, a few techish sections and some good hills, but mostly good for the less experienced. If you stay within Pine Swamp, it's a decent ride for the dog too. To do the whole place (Pine Swamp with the BP NEMBA trail and the BP trails by the river) is maybe 2.5-3 hrs.

If you park at the Greenbelt trailhead, there's an ok swimming spot right across the street in the Ipswich River. Also, no hunting in BP or Pine Swamp east of Rt. 1, so a good destination in the fall.