This place has potential but unfortunately I don't think its managed well. Looks like a solid option for xc skiing, and bouldering.
The Good: Fairly scenic, and the terrain has potential. Areas around the pond(s) are decent w/ polite dog walkers / hikers. Lots of neat boulders to climb on (some climbers there when I visited).
The Bad:
-Trails are not marked at all really (not really that big a deal)
-Dirt bikes are potentially permitted or not really enforced on North Reading town owned land near the trail head (very surprising). Two men (not kids) on full size dirt bikes flew through the single track right near the trail head. 1st guy didn't even slow down (within a foot of me blasting up a hill). The 2nd guy at least stopped to let me go down a hill and pass safely and apologized. I'll look the other way with a kid or two on a mini bike or something (even on state owned land etc), but I was really surprised that these guys were riding where they were.
-Dirt bikes have basically ruined a good amount of the single track. Lots of loose fist size rocks, muddy crossings, etc.
-Quite a lot of trash around (beer cans, dog poop bags, etc).
I'm not opposed to dirt bikes but they do tend to ruin any decent trail. Who knows maybe these trails were cut by dirt bikers originally, but from the looks of the trail head off of swan road that looked pretty fresh single track cut and then the dirt bikes are thrashing it.
This place has potential but unfortunately I don't think its managed well. Looks like a solid option for xc skiing, and bouldering.
The Good: Fairly scenic, and the terrain has potential. Areas around the pond(s) are decent w/ polite dog walkers / hikers. Lots of neat boulders to climb on (some climbers there when I visited).
The Bad:
-Trails are not marked at all really (not really that big a deal)
-Dirt bikes are potentially permitted or not really enforced on North Reading town owned land near the trail head (very surprising). Two men (not kids) on full size dirt bikes flew through the single track right near the trail head. 1st guy didn't even slow down (within a foot of me blasting up a hill). The 2nd guy at least stopped to let me go down a hill and pass safely and apologized. I'll look the other way with a kid or two on a mini bike or something (even on state owned land etc), but I was really surprised that these guys were riding where they were.
-Dirt bikes have basically ruined a good amount of the single track. Lots of loose fist size rocks, muddy crossings, etc.
-Quite a lot of trash around (beer cans, dog poop bags, etc).
I'm not opposed to dirt bikes but they do tend to ruin any decent trail. Who knows maybe these trails were cut by dirt bikers originally, but from the looks of the trail head off of swan road that looked pretty fresh single track cut and then the dirt bikes are thrashing it.
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