Indian Brook Road (hardpack), Old Mine Road (optional very beat up road, almost no surface, many ruts, erosion), Indian Brook Trail (singletrack), Old Albany Post Road (hardpack), Blue Mountain (singletrack), South Mountain Pass (hardpack). 50 miles and 5000 vertical feet, depending upon how much climbing is done in Blue Mountain. One can always return via Peekskill or Cortland, saving about 6 miles and 600 vertical feet. However, South Mountain Pass is very scenic and should not be missed. The descent is also fun.
Bring a couple bottles of water and some power bars or such. We can stop in Peekskill get more water and food before Blue Mountain, but no sit-down eating. We will take the 8:53 train to Garrison, so a Metro North bike pass is required.
Does anyone have any idea what trail conditions are like north of the city?
Fahnestock-Blue Mountain Ride Saturday
Curious John, how long do you spend in Blue Mountain? Do ride to the upper parking lot and start the trails from there?
Herb;
I am not sure how long we will ride in Blue Mountain, it depends upon the first part of the ride. Indian Brook Road is a 1000 vertical foot hardpack climb a couple miles north of Garrison. From there, we have the option of an out and back into Fahnestock Park on Old Mine Road. Then there is the singletrack trail at the roughly parallels Indian Brook Road. If we start at Garrison around 10:00, I figure we get to Peekskill via Old Albany Post Road around 12:30. The rest of the day we spend in Blue Mountain. Those wishing to return via Peekskill or Cortland can ride Blue Mountain a little longer; those returning via Garrison and South Mountain Pass must leave Blue Mountain by 3:00 in order to make the 4:02 Garrison train. Sunset is 4:35.
Saturday's forecast is good. We will take the 8:53 train from GTC to Garrison.
Saturday will be around 50! 8:53 train to Garrision, then some trails!
"41 - 51 degrees, sunny light winds, blue skies.
""Who could ask for anything more?"""
The lower part of Indian Brook Road was a pleasant surprise. I did not realize there was a waterfall in that small gorge. Finally finding the entrance to the Chimney Rock Trail, as it is called in “Mountain Biking in the New York Metro Area” was well worth the effort. No wonder it was hard to find! The book says its entrance is off Dennytown Road not Indian Brook Road; and is described as a simple out and back, connecting neither with the lower part of Indian Brook Road nor Highland Road. Maybe we should call this the “Mystery Trail”. The book rates this trail as “intermediate.”
Sunken Mine Road was, as always, spectacular. While not listed in any mountain biking guide I own, Sunken Mine Road should not be missed. It is challenging enough not to bore most technical enthusiasts and the spur that connects Sunken Mine Road with Bell’s Hollow Road would excite event the advanced rider – its only fault being its short length. Unfortunately, we started too late to ride over to Blue Mountain. To complete the full route as planned would require starting an hour earlier (7:53 train to Garrison) and perhaps a bit more daylight. I imagine too the complete 50 mile, 5000+ vertical feet route would be somewhat tiring, as all the main climbing is on unpaved surfaces and trails.
