"All Mountain" Loop at Blue Hills?

[Evil Chocula]

So, I miss my west coast, all mountain style trails; e.i., ride starts at bottom of hill, slave to the top of hill, fly down to the bottom, go home.

I've never ridden Blue Hills, but now drive by it everyday. Is there a road/fire road you could peddle up to a down hill singletrack? Or even an up and back trail. There's gotta be, right? Thanks!

[Slider]

Can't put this in context of what's open and what's closed to bikes, but there are lots of routes up and down Big Blue. Easiest climb is up the paved road, all the way to the top. Most fun descent is down the Skyline trail to Reservation HQ. Once you reach the paved road at the bottom, go right onto Hillside Street, then right onto 138. That puts you back to the base of the ski hill and the fireroad start; an easy spin for any type of bike. Round trip time depends on your climbing speed, but the downhill is about a mile long.

A serious freeride type descent would most likely entail pedestrian carnage, so you need to be careful out there.

This was all legal back in the day, but I haven't ridden there in a few years. Someone will weigh in on this if I'm being completely ignorant, I hope!

Slider

[agabriel]

Have you tried the Mt Snow race loop? That starts with an intense climb and follows with technical downhill. Haven't tried Blue Hills, so I can't speak to it.

[skunkty14]

Most of the "good" stuff at Blues is off limits to MTBers, Skyline arguably the most noteable closure in the park (sorry Slider).

Coons Hollow off Great Blue is kind of fun, could loop it back around with some stuff to reload up the hill. I don't think there is anything that justifies a ride consisting of one big climb and decent as a total ride, I think you'd end up doing repeats to fill your time. Simply not enough elevation and/or elevation put to lengthy use in SE Mass to find such a ride.

[Slider]

Too good to remain open. Are there any single track descents open off Big Blue these days?

Slider

[Evil Chocula]

Too good to remain open. Are there any single track descents open off Big Blue these days?

Slider

Thats sucks. I was just skimming the map; its looks like 3.5 of the four trails coming off the summit are off limits. I might give it a shot tonight, try and link up a [legal] route down from the top.

I'm just looking for a quick training grind on my single speed, if I can ride up the service road and down something, it could be OK.


>>Also: There was a thread on here a few months ago where someone listed out some fun trails inside Blue Hills, but I can't find it. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[Bo]

Evil Chocula,
Blues Hills is awesome for your single speed. I would recommend that you ride from the Ranger's Station (where the Police Station is) along that main path ( (Wolcott's Path, you'll see yellow triangles (that's the marked intermediate loop for mtb'ers) all the way to the end and you will hit the access road up to the summit. Ride the road up the summit..... once you are at the Observation Tower take the left turn onto the dirt path to the Fire Tower.........and you gotta go up and check out the view of Boston....Superb! From there, wind back to the access road, about 1/3 of the way there's a path on your right (#1072) follow that till you are at an intersection bang a sharp right Puddles Path........this will take you back on the yellow triangle loop and follow the yellow triangles........you can also cross over to Houghton's Pond side and follow the white triangles. With the white and yellow triangle loops combined should be about 10.5 miles......... and for all the other awesome secret trails in there, well ........you'll have to hook up with one us locals for a tour :) (Steve Cobble and Bill Boles are good resources ...)

There's mtb specific maps at the Ranger Station. Pick one up.

Hope you get this before you leave work. Have fun!

[let it snow]

There is more to Blue Hills than just Big Blue. It has the most elevation, but if you are looking for a grind up and fly down there are other "peaks" for that too. And once you know the place there are some great loops out there. Like Bo said find a regular to show you around. I'd be willing, but I am a morning rider at this time.

Dave

[SteveC]

Plen-T good riding in the BH. It's not all about Big Blue. Be glad to show you around sometime.
Steve

[skunkty14]

Good suggestion from Bo for sure, considering how close I live to BH I really don't ride my MTBs in there enough. Road bike another story.

Forgot to mention Buck Hill; it's an out and back climb that basically crawls straight up a gully to a hilltop and then you rip it back down. If you clean that with no stops and no dabs you're a far better rider than me, that climb beats me up everytime.

[Slider]

Yeah, those granite chips at the top, right when your legs and lungs are starting to complain, can really be a challenge. The only way is to spin for your life and hope you can last until you bounce over the loose stuff. The view at the top makes it all worth the effort.

Slider

[Evil Chocula]

Evil Chocula,
Blues Hills is awesome for your single speed. I would recommend that you ride from the Ranger's Station (where the Police Station is) along that main path ( (Wolcott's Path, you'll see yellow triangles (that's the marked intermediate loop for mtb'ers) all the way to the end and you will hit the access road up to the summit. Ride the road up the summit..... once you are at the Observation Tower take the left turn onto the dirt path to the Fire Tower.........and you gotta go up and check out the view of Boston....Superb! From there, wind back to the access road, about 1/3 of the way there's a path on your right (#1072) follow that till you are at an intersection bang a sharp right Puddles Path........this will take you back on the yellow triangle loop and follow the yellow triangles........you can also cross over to Houghton's Pond side and follow the white triangles. With the white and yellow triangle loops combined should be about 10.5 miles......... and for all the other awesome secret trails in there, well ........you'll have to hook up with one us locals for a tour :) (Steve Cobble and Bill Boles are good resources ...)

There's mtb specific maps at the Ranger Station. Pick one up.

Hope you get this before you leave work. Have fun!

Thanks bo, actaully didn't get out last night, but will try this loop Sat morning.

[Evil Chocula]

Good suggestion from Bo for sure, considering how close I live to BH I really don't ride my MTBs in there enough. Road bike another story.

Forgot to mention Buck Hill; it's an out and back climb that basically crawls straight up a gully to a hilltop and then you rip it back down. If you clean that with no stops and no dabs you're a far better rider than me, that climb beats me up everytime.

So, do you climb Buck Hill on 2160, or Buck Hill Path?

(map)
http://www.nemba.org/images/maps/bhmap.gif

[let it snow]

Ahhh........go up 2160. Buck Hill Path doesn't go to the top.

[Evil Chocula]

Update: Rode BH this weekend, per Bo's recommendations. Verdict: loved it. Reminiscent of this place called Daley Ranch in San Diego. It was just what I was looking for, long climbs with long downs. Can't wait to explore the finer points of the trail systems. Thanks for the info guys.

[Bo]

Good suggestion from Bo for sure, considering how close I live to BH I really don't ride my MTBs in there enough. Road bike another story.

Forgot to mention Buck Hill; it's an out and back climb that basically crawls straight up a gully to a hilltop and then you rip it back down. If you clean that with no stops and no dabs you're a far better rider than me, that climb beats me up everytime.


SkunketySkunk - we should do Buck Hill repeats on our big bikes!! Can you imagine how psycho that would be!!!!

[Bo]

Update: Rode BH this weekend, per Bo's recommendations. Verdict: loved it. Reminiscent of this place called Daley Ranch in San Diego. It was just what I was looking for, long climbs with long downs. Can't wait to explore the finer points of the trail systems. Thanks for the info guys.


Awesome!!!! Is Daley Ranch just south of San Diego? What's a good bike shop out there?

[Evil Chocula]

Awesome!!!! Is Daley Ranch just south of San Diego? What's a good bike shop out there?

Daleys in the north east corner of San Diego. However, if you were going to visit, there are some better spots I'd point you too. There's three or four places you could get a pimped out demo for the day from too. Let me know!

EDIT: If you like to ride big bikes, I could DEFINETLY point you to some nice trails!

[let it snow]

Did you ride the singlespeed? I thought that if there ever was a place that needed gears BH was one of them.

Did you ride down the access road? There are much better options.

Glad you enjoyed your ride. There are lots of people that never go back a second time.

[Evil Chocula]

Did you ride the singlespeed? I thought that if there ever was a place that needed gears BH was one of them.

Did you ride down the access road? There are much better options.

Glad you enjoyed your ride. There are lots of people that never go back a second time.

Oh hell yeah I rode the single speed. I went up the access road and came down the back end per Bo's directions. And yes, I climbed the access road without stopping :rad:

[skunkty14]

SkunketySkunk - we should do Buck Hill repeats on our big bikes!! Can you imagine how psycho that would be!!!!

No repeats but I've climbed it on my rig before, "attempting" to keep up w/ the weenies on carbon epics etc. I "volunteered" to ride sweep for that portion.

However I did pass all but one on the way down :D.

[Bo]

Daleys in the north east corner of San Diego. However, if you were going to visit, there are some better spots I'd point you too. There's three or four places you could get a pimped out demo for the day from too. Let me know!

EDIT: If you like to ride big bikes, I could DEFINETLY point you to some nice trails!


Yup!...... Gonna build myself a bike out of Legos and visitin' the Shamooooooo Family :D Point thy way!

I'm gonna hit BH this afternoon around 4:00'ishh if you guys (Skunkety! Buck Hill repeats!!!) uh hummm' ...... aren't feelin' well at work and need to leave early :D

[Evil Chocula]

Yup!...... Gonna build myself a bike out of Legos and visitin' the Shamooooooo Family :D Point thy way!

I'm gonna hit BH this afternoon around 4:00'ishh if you guys (Skunkety! Buck Hill repeats!!!) uh hummm' ...... aren't feelin' well at work and need to leave early :D

Can't make it tonight, doing IPA repeats downtown after work. Definetly would like a tour one of these days though.

[skunkty14]

Can't make it tonight, doing IPA repeats downtown after work. Definetly would like a tour one of these days though.

Me neither, stuck at work and then stout repeats for me :D.

[SteveC]

Did Buck Hill first time this year, this morning..... it's still there!

[Bo]

Check out this M*FKR I ran over at the Blue Hills..........HOLY CRAPPP!! It scared the living jeeebers out of me. This is just the image I found on the web.........the one I ran over was twice as fat but about the same length 48" or so. Supposedly these snakes are very aggressive and will bite hard and often if threatened..........YIKES!

[Evil Chocula]

Check out this M*FKR I ran over at the Blue Hills..........HOLY CRAPPP!! It scared the living jeeebers out of me. This is just the image I found on the web.........the one I ran over was twice as fat but about the same length 48" or so. Supposedly these snakes are very aggressive and will bite hard and often if threatened..........YIKES!

Did he make it?

[Slider]

Many years ago, I was riding the fire road that parallels the east side of route 28. I saw a hose running across the road, with one end in the swamp and other disappearing into the woods. I couldn't quite get my head around the fact that there could be a snake that big across the trail. Finally it registered, but I barely had time to jump and caught it good with my back tire. I'm hoping that I didn't hurt the poor guy/girl and your pic is a descendant.

The one I saw was at least 7" in diameter. No idea how long, since I didn't see either end.

Thanks for posting!

Slider

[SteveC]

Is that a black racer? Probably looking for a mate, this time of year......
I once came across a half dozen quickly crossing trail in Wompatuck SP. Didn't realize they were so aggressive, but the quick internet search says so.
Love that wildlife!
SC

[Bo]

Did he make it?


Question is "Did I make it?"...... it zipped right underneath my tires with a vicious snarl, giving me the "WTF did you run me over for hissss...........":D

[Evil Chocula]

Question is "Did I make it?"...... it zipped right underneath my tires with a vicious snarl, giving me the "WTF did you run me over for hissss...........":D

Haha, poor bastid. So when do I get the super secret locals only tour of BH?

[SteveC]

I might be up for an EARLY ride sunday....usually it's the ONLY time I get to ride on Sundays.....

Speaking of Sundays, Wompatuck Road from Quincy, up and over Chickatawbut Hill, to rte 28, will be closed to vehicular traffic every Sunday, for the summer! Notsomuch of a big deal to mountainbikers, but to those who pedal to the legal trails from Quincy, it's awesome not to have to look out for cars. And to those of us on the occasional road ride.......

[bdee]

A buddy and I put together a pretty awesome loop out there yesterday. I forgot how much fun stuff there is in the BH. I had ridden there a week or so ago and gotten myself familiar with it again. Yesterday I added on a bunch of stuff and guessed my way into some really fun stuff. When you ride in RI and SE MA anywhere that has a downhill or two longer than 30 seconds is fun for that reason alone!