dlague
Active member
I have never been to Bear Brook State park for mountain biking - only snowmobiling years ago. However, wanted to get out with my family on Father's Day and my older son picked the location. Now we did not do the most technical trails but we did get in out share of hill climbs, natural stair cases (roots and rocks), switchbacks. We started on One Mile Trail which is a double track which seems easy but do not let it fool you. There was a lot of sandy spots and some down hill sections with loose rocks - not that it was hard but it was not just a ride in the park! We came upon Cascade trail which looks fine on the map but it is a single track the climbs and climbs. We then bailed on that trail since our older son said it would get much harder - not that it is bad but it was our first real venture out. My 12 year old son graduated from a 24" to a 26" so we cut him a break. we fond an unmarked trail and followed it back down which turned out to be a nice single track with tight turns that sneak up on you.
Next we went on Bear Brook Upper which is a very cool trail which parallels the parks namesake. This trail tuns in to a narrow ridge style trail that is fun to ride. About mid way we started doing some hill climbs loaded with switchbacks that got the heart pumping. There was a section going down hill where we encountered lots of roots and some rock that formed a staircase per se and that was a blast. Not really knowing where we were we came across a trail called little bear with was about a 1+ mile loop that starts off with lots of climbing but the return trip is worth it. The ride down had two hair pin turns and a boat load of switch backs that forced us to keep speed in check. The the end of that trail we came across a parking lot and rode along the road for a bit.
I decided to hit another trail that was fairly new and not named yet. This trail involved biking of softer terrain, lots of rock & roots and even some lifting the bike over fallen trees for this past winter. We did this trail for about a half mile before my family thought that it was time to head back. We did find an old well! The rest of the ride was basically following the road back - that was fun too since we climbed gradually and then had a refreshing run down hill to cool us off!
All in all, we really had fun there did about 8 miles of riding and barely touched the surface. There is lots to explore and there are trails for all abilities. We will definitely return for another trip.
Trail Map (better then the one they hand out at the park)
Cascade trail head
![cascade trail.jpg cascade trail.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5964-a74bdddcc6b3501f6c57c22b5a519b17.jpg)
Bear Brook in the side of Bear Brook Upper trail
![colors.jpg colors.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5965-ba5a4d5f68cb98bc89e010c860447409.jpg)
Bear Brook Upper along the brook's bank
![narrow trail.jpg narrow trail.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5966-c8375fab54ef44adcd7ca32f3a66a98f.jpg)
Do not take pictures while riding!
![glade.jpg glade.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5967-f75aa40305ea54f3aecb373b3e7533e5.jpg)
Old well on unnamed trail
![well.jpg well.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5968-4b73252dd02e79b0f205e26aca8530d1.jpg)
Next we went on Bear Brook Upper which is a very cool trail which parallels the parks namesake. This trail tuns in to a narrow ridge style trail that is fun to ride. About mid way we started doing some hill climbs loaded with switchbacks that got the heart pumping. There was a section going down hill where we encountered lots of roots and some rock that formed a staircase per se and that was a blast. Not really knowing where we were we came across a trail called little bear with was about a 1+ mile loop that starts off with lots of climbing but the return trip is worth it. The ride down had two hair pin turns and a boat load of switch backs that forced us to keep speed in check. The the end of that trail we came across a parking lot and rode along the road for a bit.
I decided to hit another trail that was fairly new and not named yet. This trail involved biking of softer terrain, lots of rock & roots and even some lifting the bike over fallen trees for this past winter. We did this trail for about a half mile before my family thought that it was time to head back. We did find an old well! The rest of the ride was basically following the road back - that was fun too since we climbed gradually and then had a refreshing run down hill to cool us off!
All in all, we really had fun there did about 8 miles of riding and barely touched the surface. There is lots to explore and there are trails for all abilities. We will definitely return for another trip.
Trail Map (better then the one they hand out at the park)
Cascade trail head
![cascade trail.jpg cascade trail.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5964-a74bdddcc6b3501f6c57c22b5a519b17.jpg)
Bear Brook in the side of Bear Brook Upper trail
![colors.jpg colors.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5965-ba5a4d5f68cb98bc89e010c860447409.jpg)
Bear Brook Upper along the brook's bank
![narrow trail.jpg narrow trail.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5966-c8375fab54ef44adcd7ca32f3a66a98f.jpg)
Do not take pictures while riding!
![glade.jpg glade.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5967-f75aa40305ea54f3aecb373b3e7533e5.jpg)
Old well on unnamed trail
![well.jpg well.jpg](https://forums.alpinezone.com/data/attachments/5/5968-4b73252dd02e79b0f205e26aca8530d1.jpg)