13 replies to this topic

[BriN747]

My wife and I are heading up to the Darby Field Inn in Albany darbyfield.com and want to get some riding in this weekend. Can anyone tell me where to go?

I need a spot where I can safely park a 4 place enclosed trailer and truck and get to some good riding. What trail club is in this area and can anyone tell me where to get trail maps?

Thanks for any help!

Edited by BriN747, 12 March 2008 - 10:02 AM.

[Oldtimer]

I'm guessing you should either come south to WLSP (maybe 12 miles?) or head to some place in the MMR system...I do not know about parking up there, but there's plenty of room for the rig @ WLSP if you get there early. Also, Canoe King across the street has some dedicated parking...

[BriN747]

Thanks OT, where's WSLP?

[Oldtimer]

Rt16 in Tamworth, just past Troop "E" state police barracks on the left heading north....it'd be on the right heading south, naturally! I dis-remember where Darby Field is....or I'd try and give you aproximate distances betwen them.
I said 10-12 miles in the first reply because I assumed it was up on the Kank or near there..
Canoe King is almost directly across from Troop "E" if you want to park there. They have OVSC / SOS / and MMR maps there, as well as oil and such. It's the base for the OVSC.

[mccracken]

You can park in 2 locations that are handy to the MMR Trail system, and close to you --

Heading South on Rt 16, take the left just before the Mobil station, stay left and approximately 1/2 mile there is a parking area right on corridor 19 -- this is across from the Ham Ice Arena.

If you follow Route 16 north into North Conway you can park in the North Conway Grand Hotel parking lot and access Corridor 19.

I would recommend the Grand if you head north, towards Evans Notch, Black Cap, or the Gorham area, and if you want to head south (White Lake, Castle) the other location is about 5 minutes from you. You can head in either direction from both places, but the Corridor 19 crossing at Route 16 and Barnes Road is troublesome.

Maps are available at the Mobil station on the trail -- and there is a map kiosk at the trail entrance at the rear of the Mobil station.

Rail bed is in good shape, as are the remainder of the MMR trails.

[Oldtimer]

Thank you Mccracken!

[BriN747]

McCracken, are the parking areas you mentioned big enough to fit my rig? It's a 20' four place enclosed. How crowded should I expect it to be Saturday? How early should we get there?

Can you recommend a good scenic loop for us? My wife likes lots of good scenery and views.

[Oldtimer]

I bet one of the nice guys here @ SledNh would be willing to come give you a tour of the very best views....you happen to be in one of the very best places in NH for views up there in MMR club trails...and the SOS / OVSC trails as well....Mt. Shaw is not to be missed, same goes for Cathedral ledge, black cap, etc...
Not to volunteer him, but I think skip is the man for the job...Skip?

[Skip]

Boy, I'd really love to Richard!

Unfortunately my sled is back home for now and I've closed up camp until after mud season. Lots of stuff I need to take care of down here in flatlandville before the boating season starts.

Hope to make a couple of day trips before the season ends, but this weekend is definitely already booked with honey-doo stuff that is long overdue..... :sad:

[BriN747]

Oldtimer, on Mar 12 2008, 12:51 PM, said:

I bet one of the nice guys here @ SledNh would be willing to come give you a tour of the very best views....you happen to be in one of the very best places in NH for views up there in MMR club trails...and the SOS / OVSC trails as well....Mt. Shaw is not to be missed, same goes for Cathedral ledge, black cap, etc...
Not to volunteer him, but I think skip is the man for the job...Skip?

Well heck, we'd love to have a local show us around. I'll gladly spring for lunch!

[Oldtimer]

If I knew where to go north of Canoe king, I'd lead you. But my area is SOS and OVSC...and I am in the same boat as Skip...my weekend is already locked in...
The club maps will be enough to get you to the best places...Look for Cathedral ledge in MMR system, Black cap too I believe..
Look for the Great hill Fire tower in the OVSC system....be sure to hit the James pond loop and the Bowles cut-off trails too. If you don't mind crossing the bay, you can also hit welch top trail in the OVSC system via SOS trails to broad bay...
Look for the chimney and Mary's Mt. in SOS system...
And take Corridor 19 to corridor 15 and 15 will take you up to Mt. Shaw, the best view in NH from a sled IMO. Otherwise, every corner in these 3 systems is a feast for the eyes...you will NOT be displeased at the scenery!

Here's the way to welch top if you want to try it..
The Welch top trail is an OVSC trail accessed via Ossipee lake, or via Scrub Oaks Scramblers trails (SOS) @ broad bay/ Tim's Marina. If you dare cross Ossipee, (from Calumet or from Westwood shores) go to the extreme southern shore, making sure the channel on the left is at least 1000' to the left, and the pine river (very small) is at least 1000' to your right as you reach the southern shore. You'll notice them both. You want to end up just left of the last house on the southern shore...Go left/east on the southern shore of Ossipee until you're beside the channel, and then just follow the tracks and signs from there.
To get to Welch from SOS/Marina, get to the marina, get out onto the bay, cross the little "brook" (no choice there), and cross the bay at speed to the left of the island, about 200' from it. Stay straight to the southern shore, the tracks should still be visible, but if not, just head basically straight to the south eastern shore, follow the shore to the right /west, and just keep going, you'll see open water (channel from Ossipee lake), but stay on the shore and you should be good to go...the trail will cross a small dirt road, and at that point you are on OVSC trails again. You'll be basically at the same spot you'd be at if you cross Ossipee itself like I said. from there, the trail is self evident, and signs are in place.

Sounds hard, but it isn't.

[mccracken]

Your trailer will fit in both places -- the lot near the hotel is huge, and rarely 1/2 full, and the other area near the skating rink is plowed for a drive through, and has a fair amount of room. Our gang has parked at the area near the skating rink without a problem -- we have a mix of 4 place, 4 place inline and 2 place all pulled with full size trucks.

I do not recommend going to Cathedral Ledge -- the connector trail has been rough all year, and I am sure with the warm temps it is worse.

The rides described by Oldtimer are good, as well as a trip to Black Cap -- head north on 19 and follow the signs to Black Cap -- it is well signed and you will pass 2 map kiosks on the way...if you get ambitions you can head to Evans Notch -- that is also a trip up 19 north.

[Polaris05]

BriN747, I have parked at Canoe King each time I have been (3) up, White Lake State Park is across the road, The Bowles trail, Wolanocet, Fire Tower and James Loop is good ride, we were up Monday we did that area then we went back to Canoe King took 19 to 15 over to Mt Shaw and the Castle Trail. Stop in at Canoe King buy a trail map and a few SLEDNH window stickers and say hi to John (ckf)

Enjoy the weekend

[BriN747]

Thanks for all the advise McCracken and all. Can't wait for the weekend!