Another great ride in Bald Eagle State Forest, at Mile Run. This trail is two minutes off of Interstate 80, but you would never know it. Great trails, views, and fun!
http://photobucket.com/Mile_Run_Ride2012
My neighborhood! I ride that area without hauling there although it’s a long ride. I love riding the trail to the (east?) well, off to the right if you were coming from the interstate and then looping over to 3rd gap trail or coming back over on Metzger. Metzger is great for a gallop! I avoid that seriously rocky trail off to the left (west?) although both our barefoot ponies did it once and survived, it was slow going even for me.
And you exaggerate… it can’t be more than 30 seconds off of 80 if you’re parking at exit 199… or did you park at 192 / Tea Springs?
Good Lord Old Pony, I said two minutes, not 30 seconds :winkgrin: It might be all of five minutes. Never timed it. I agree, that trail to the East is great for cantering, or in my case, gaiting. And yes, that rocky trail to the West is best avoided. Getting worse actually since it is being hit pretty hard on the weekends by Mt. Bikes.
There are two humongous trees down across East Run Road, so avoid that area if you can. I didn’t think of taking a photo, but we ended up getting off and going under it, it was so big!
I’m going to go call the SF to report it.
Old Pony66, have you ridden the section that section on Mohn road that hooks onto Brushy Ridge trail? Is it worth doing, or one of those rockey ones?
Perhaps I should slow down my driving! I was just wondering if you parked at 199 or 192. I have parked at 192 before but it’s too far to “nice” trails to make it worth it for me, might as well ride from the house. I haven’t yet parked at 199 but am thinking about using it as a meeting place when riding with friends. 192 is just so much nicer with the picnic tables and shade… and now restroom facilities??? I also have parked down at the end of Third Gap trail on Gap Road, which makes it quick to get to those same trails. Those are actually the only two places I’ve hauled to around here for trail riding.
I had to pull a map out to look at road names because I’m bad about stuff like that. Yes the first section of Brushy Ridge trail from Mohn Mill road that is marked in red is absolutely fine, if anything it will be too wet. When you get to where it turns, if you stay left on the red trail it is nice (last time a few small trees down but easily circumvented) even trot-worthy in a few spots, then you can cross Pipeline Rd and go on one of my favorite trails. If you go straight to stay on Brushy Ridge, that is where you are basically riding up a small creek bed. Rocky and narrow. Last time I rode it, that’s where we turned around because a couple rattlesnakes held their ground and there was no way around them. However, if you make it through that you can turn left on Webster Trail and come back out to Pipeline. I would not recommend turning right on Webster, I’ve done it on foot and I am not that crazy to do it on a horse. Rocky, steep, good luck even finding the trail at points.
The last 2 pictures in this album are on Brushy Ridge trail where it is not marked in red. It’s when we were held up deciding what to do about the rattlesnakes.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3740779565403.155591.1453604567&type=3&l=26a9a00b35
(if that link works)
I like the trail that loops to the side of Pipeline road (it has no name). the one end is hard to find but is right at the corner of Fourth Gap and Pipeline. It is marked in red IF you look through the branches. Once you crash through the initial brush the trail is very nice and the other end of it has some wonderful trot-canter (heck… gallop!) stretches, with numerous tiny drainage spots that my boy likes to jump.
I do park at exit 199. If you have more than two trailers, you have to call the Forest office to get them to open the gate. That parking lot is HUGE!
Thanks for the info on Pipeline/Brushy Ridge. I know where you mean when you say it pops out on the corner of fourth gap and pipeline, I’ve seen it.
I’ll e-mail you about parking on exit 199.
