I've been looking around the internet and have barely seen anything about
Vaughn Hill or the various trails that connect to it.
I've been biking these trails for close to 8 years now and I've been
extremely frequently riding them for the last two.
There are multiple entrances to the vaughn hill trails network and some of
them have formal parking lots while others do not. You can also reach the
trails by parking at the Bower Springs conservation area parking lot and
biking about a half mile.
As for the Vaughn Hill itself, assuming you want to reach the top, which is
called "North Peak", you're in for a really fun but extremely challenging ride
up no matter which way you hit it from. BUT, once you get to the top you're
in for a SICK ride down assuming you have a decent bike. (I ride a
cannondale jekyll 800 - lefty shock and fox rear susp) its nothing fancy).
The downhill that begins from the top is very fast, steep, and if you want it
to be, can be VERY EXTREME. There are routes from the top that can be
taken which can result in about 3-6 minutes of what is essentially
continuous shredding downhill. (which is rare to find in MA, and especially
rare to find no one on it, which is the case almost ALWAYS).
I have a feeling that someone with a true downhill or freeride bike would
honestly find the ride down to be awesome. There are some spots that
could be made into huge drops with a small bunny hop. I have had a few
3'-5' hits on my short travel bike.
I could honestly go on and on about how sick this trail and the surrounding
trail systems are for days.
If you're in the area and aren't going to mess anything up or litter, check it
out.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THE BEST DOWNHILLS:
Regardless of which way you go down from the summit of vaughn hill, also
known as 'north peak' it is going to be a good fast downhill. BUT, my
personal favorite is to go down the back side of the peak, towards bower
springs, but then take a sharp left once the first downhill ends and continue
to begin another series of intense downhills. It's hard to explain but this
trail system is a must ride to be honest.
If I had more money to spend I would definitely buy a sick all mountain or
free ride bike and absolutely tear it up.
Challenging trail system, not for beginners. Bring your dual suspension.
| ThankBe respectful of hikers.
I love Vaughn hill, it has good vertical, lots of technical elements on singletrack and can be linked with Bowers Spring and other conservation land into a bigger loop.
| Thank