Mountain Bike Report: "Playground" Trail Big River

Big River, located in West Greenwich and Coventry has some of the best mountain biking trails in Rhode Island. The trails are challenging, fast and numerous. It has single lane trails winding through the woods with banked corners and old dirt roads. The area can be bisected into 2 sections. The route 3 to New London Turnpike section and New London Turnpike to Carrs Pond.

The route 3 section has a parking area directly on Route 3 or Nooseneck Hill Road. It is before Division Road and the on/off ramps to 95 at exit 6.

This post is concentrated on 1 small trail in Big River. I am putting it first because it took a few months of riding and exploring trails in Big River before I decided to take it and since then it has been one of my favorites.

I call it the "playground" trail, and since there are no trail names in Big River it has stuck. The trail is located directly to the right of the parking lot. It is important to make sure the bike is in good working condition before going to Big River because the trail begins immediately and it can make an improperly working bike frustrating to the rider.

Trailhead for "Playground" Trail in Big River

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

The trail winds through mostly pine woods and has a hard packed footing that is fast to ride. There are lots of roots and one root-stepped downhill. It is a very short trail and should be just an introduction to Big River. The trail ends at Capwell Mill Pond on Burnt Sawmill Road. There is a small parking area there. 

Ramp Obstacle

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

There are 2 obstacles that have been built on the trail, a plank and see-saw. The obstacles are why this trail has been dubbed "Playground" Trail.

See-Saw Obstacle

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All rights Reserved

 

From here head right and explore the amazing roller-coaster trails Big River has to offer.

Mountain Bike Report: Breakheart Loop Trail

Breakheart Loop Trail, it seems it has been the “holy grail” of local trails. Local mountain bikers like to talk about the trail. Everyone knows a biker who “went over the bars” on this trail. It is slippery, frustrating, tricky and a technical trail. Which is why I wouldn't recommend it for most beginners. It is also beautiful and challenging; a tempting combination for mountain bikers.

Penny Trail Before Breakheart Loop Trail

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

How did I prepare for the “holy grail” of local trails? I didn’t, I actually took it on accident; which is why I am not including a trail plan, just the trail location. The trail goes behind Camp E-Hun-Tee and Alton Jones Campus.

Breakheart Loop Trail on Great Swamp Press Map

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2 weeks ago I posted a Mountain Bike Report on Shelter Trail. It was such a smooth and fast trail I decided to try a new trail off Shelter trail. Unfortunately, the trail map did not specify that the trail I needed to take to get back was for hikers only. It had boards and a sign on the start of the trail stating that it was for hikers.

Shelter on Shelter Trail

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I could have backtracked and been on the trail back to the car in less than 15 minutes. However, I am apparently incapable of backtracking. The only way back was Breakheart Loop, which I had to do in the rain.

Most mountain biker's take the trail counter-clockwise, I took it clockwise. The trail is rocky, hilly, has lots of roots and some gorgeous scenery. It has 2 wooden bridges across creeks. There are low hanging branches, and did I mention it was peppered with rocks, stones and roots.

Hill on Penny Hill Trail

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

If it wasn’t raining the footing would have been tricky. In the rain after a long ride before taking the trail it was slippery and at times frustrating.

Downhill on Shelter Trail

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The trail took about an hour to complete. At the end on Matteson Plain Road I wanted to jump off my bike and kiss the dirt, but I was too exhausted.

It was a great ride that challenged my abilities and my patience. The terrain was everything riding in pristine and untouched Rhode Island woods should be. There were some beautiful areas lush and green. When I finished I thought, “I am never doing this again” but I am already planning my next trip.

Field of Blueberry Bushes

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Mountain Bike Report: Shelter Trail Arcadia State Park

As anyone who has walked, fished or mountain biked in Arcadia can tell you, there are numerous trails. The trail report was set up with the intent of taking about an hour to complete. It is not the fastest way to get to any spot or trail. It is set up to offer a variety of riding footings, technical aspects and inclines.

Begin by parking at the West Exeter Church. Running parallel to route 165 is a trail. It has a rusty metal bar at the beginning. Ride down the steep hill to the Midway parking area. From there go right onto the dirt road called Midway Railroad. This dirt road is open to vehicles. Ride over a bridge whose stream feeds Wood River. The road opens up to another parking area, stay on Midway Railroad and ride down the main dirt road.

Shelter Trail Map

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

There is another block there to stop vehicles from entering. Midway is sand, grass and in some areas deep sand. It has sloping hills, gradual inclines and open fields. Through the fields the footing is packed and can be ridden very fast. It can be hot to ride this trail in the summer since it is fairly open to the sun. In early September the milkweed growing in the fields attracts monarch butterflies.

Midway opens up into a dog training area with a pavilion and parking area. From the end of Midway take a left onto Plain Road. This road is open to vehicles. Ride up the hill and take the first right onto a shelter trail. The trail is open and was an old road.

Take the second right and climb a small hill to the old stone fireplace and foundations. This is a great area to stop and explore. Use caution since the ground is littered with broken glass.

Stone Fireplace

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Continue on the Shelter Trail and pass some old cabins and shelters. The trail comes to the top of a hill, here someone has built steps going down the hill. This hill is a hidden gem and a technical surprise out in the woods. Then turn around push the bike back up the hill and ride it again.

Hill with Steps

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here continue down the main trail. Eventually it forks. Left, ends at a small creek that is the border with Camp E-Hun-Tee. There is an old bridge to explore. Right continues on the Shelter Trail to Plain Road.

Old Bridge

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Take a left on Plain Road and ride up a long hill. At the top take a right and continue on another Shelter Trail. This trail goes through hardwoods and pine woods and offers small inclines, mud and grass footing.

The Shelter Trail ends on Frosty Hollow Road near Frosty Hollow Pond. Take a right on Frosty Hollow Road and ride to the end at the church parking area.

Arcadia State Park: North section

 North Section of Arcadia State Park

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

Arcadia State Park located in southwestern RI encompasses approximately 14,000 acres in Exeter, West Greenwich, Richmond and Hopkinton. The park is the largest management area in RI. The park is bisected into north and south sections by Route 165.

This post is covering the north section located in Exeter and West Greenwich. The area includes Escoheag, Mt. Tom, Breakheart Pond, J B Hudson Trail and Reynolds Horseman’s area.

 

Activities in this area include hunting, fishing, trail riding, dog training, hiking, mountain biking, camping (with a permit), climbing, kayaking and canoeing.

There is hunting allowed in the area and fluorescent orange should be worn during required times.

Climbing activities are usually done at the Escoheag and Mt. Tom areas.

For dog walkers and workers there is a training area complete with water fountain, pavilion and picnic tables.

There are numerous streams and creeks that run through the area that are stocked trout waters. They can only be fished during RI’s fishing season. Frosty HollowPond located on Frosty Hollow Road is a pond created specifically for children under 14 to fish. During fishing season only children 14 and under may fish the pond. The waters are stocked with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Bass, bluegill and pickerel are all commonly found in Breakheart Pond.

Frosty Hollow Pond Drained

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trails range from dirt roads, old unused dirt roads, wide walking paths and hiking paths. The footing is gravel, grass, roots, creek beds and packed earth.

Bees Nest Located on Trail Around Breakheart Pond

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For the mountain biker there is J B Hudson Trail (see earlier post for an in depth trail report) and any one of the numerous trails that crisscross the area. The trails can range from beginner to intermediate. Due to the size of the area and the number of trails, a trail map is recommended.

There is plenty of parking for horse trailers. The Reynolds Horseman’s Area has an outdoor ring for working a horse. Prohibited activities in the area include, but are not limited to turning out a horse in the cemetery and ring. No tying horses to trees and no temporarily nailing fencing to trees. Most of the trails are cleared and heavily used by trail riders. There is the occasional low hanging limb to look out for. The ramp located at Breakheart Pond is a great place to stop and let the horse drink and wade in the water.

The north section of Arcadia state park offers many activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Take the family, friends, dog or horse and go explore this unique part of southern RI.

Mountain Bike Report: JB Hudson Trail

The John B Hudson Trail in Arcadia Management Area is approximately 1.6 miles and is fairly technical, personally rated intermediate. There is hunting allowed in Arcadia Management Area and orange should be worn during hunting seasons.

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

To access the trail park in the West Exeter Church (small white church) parking lot, it is at the very beginning of Frosty Hollow Road. There is a parking area at the trailhead, but it is usually washed out and can be tricky to navigate with a car.  Take a left onto 165 and begin climbing a small hill to the trail. The trail is the second left. Directly off 165 is a brown sign with white letters that read J B Hudson Trail.

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

 

The trail goes through pine and hardwood forest. The footing is packed dirt, grass, sand, gravel and rocks.

The trail has a steep ascent at the beginning. Then the trail becomes more technical. There are numerous creek beds to navigate. The footing is rocky and can be very slippery. There are also 2 stone walls to ride over that are difficult to navigate.  

J B Hudson is a technical trail that may be intimidating for a beginner; since it is only 1.6 miles and backtracking is not required it is worth a try. After the more technical part continue through the easier trails around Breakheart Pond and make a day of it. I will add more about Breakheart trails in a later post.

Caveat: This trail report reflects my opinion. I am not a great technical rider. I ride for the pure enjoyment of it and to experience the outdoors. I like to challenge myself, but I don’t want to break bones every weekend. I hope this information is helpful when planning a trip.

I ride a 20 inch frame bike with 29 inch rims; it is a little harder for me to navigate the rocky areas with a longer bike than it is for my husband who rides an 18 inch bike with 26 inch rims. It is a lot of bike for me to control, particularly at the beginning of the year when I am out of shape.

Get outside, ride and enjoy!