1speeder
Well-Known Member
We'll be in Manchester for a few days after Memorial Day. Not sure which days yet, though.
Slate Valley Trails, POULTNEY VT
- Thread starter onetracker
- Start date
JDurk
Well-Known Member
Endless seems to be a smaller area, but there is some tech there. Climbs are mostly switchbacks. Parking area at the trailhead up the road is pretty small. The lot at the country club is bigger. I saw a bear while riding Endless last time I was there. When I rode with the local group ride the next day, I mentioned the sighting and they were all like "really, never seen a bear around here"
Both in 1 day? Or 2 days. Having done the first I highly recommend against eating that whole park in 1 ride. It becomes too much.
Endless is better IMO. This is kind of a highlight loop:
SVT Awesome Weather Day - Norm Z's 13.3 mi mountain bike ride
Norm Z rode 13.3 mi on Jun 5, 2023.
www.strava.com
If you want to add more, at the top you can do Harry's Hop. I found that trail ok. Not really a must-do. Dwight's Drop, Upper & Lower Birdie - these are both required. Then take Porcupine back and when you get to the top before you drop back to the car, you get a great spot to sit and take in the view. Last time we were there I think maybe the world was on fire and everything was smokey, but not sure I am remembering right.
Going back down to the car, we skip Hunker Down as that is a tad above the group's pay grade. Some people enjoy it but at the end of the ride, make sure you have your game face on if you do hit that. We do Hi Roller instead. That trail fits the vibe of the loop. Hunker Down earns the black rating.
We have never done Hardy's Hill. So I can't speak to that. Locals tell us it's meh, so we have skipped it.
Good luck! I am jealous!
Robin
Well-Known Member
Got up to SVT just after lunch. Lucked out with parking at the small lot at Endless. Did Norm’s posted loop and some. Good stuff. Wanted to check out Hunker Down but know hubby would not be happy.
Hit Poultney Pub after. Delish food and VMBA discount!
Fairgrounds tomorrow.
Hit Poultney Pub after. Delish food and VMBA discount!
Fairgrounds tomorrow.
Robin
Well-Known Member
Day 2 did not disappoint. Did not ride trails behind parking area…still curious about those.
Since the Poultney Pub is closed on Sundays we hit Manchester on our way out to eat. Ironically, When i lived in VT never went…nice town with food choices. Definitely nicer than Rutland.
Since the Poultney Pub is closed on Sundays we hit Manchester on our way out to eat. Ironically, When i lived in VT never went…nice town with food choices. Definitely nicer than Rutland.
JPark
Well-Known Member
Better than Rut-Vegas?!?!?!
Robin
Well-Known Member
LOL - I never heard it called that. I did some work in Rutland when I lived in VT - granted it was early 2000s. I didn't remember it to be so...well...you get the idea. We usually just pass through it/maybe hit Pine Hill. Now I can say it's a good through town.
JPark
Well-Known Member
It's kind of a tongue-in-cheek nickname my ski house friends always called it.
Not sure where it came from, but we call it that as well, due to @2Julianas and @MurderBort calling it that.
Ha we got it from my friend who used to live there! Rut-Vegas just fits.
johnbryanpeters
Well-Known Member
Lots of rolling singletrack, can ride from there all the way to the golf course and whatnot, recommended.
JDurk
Well-Known Member
Yes, it's worth it. A little more rolling ST than switchback climbing and fast descending. It was helpful that I did a Wed night group ride with a few locals to show the way.
Last year my wife dropped me off at Fairground and picked me up on Endless side at the golf course restaurant. After riding here several times, this was the best ride at SV imo.
From Fairgrounds lot. This ride starts out easy with low elevation flow.
Maple Sugar, to Ringmaster and then Cotton Candy to Clown Shoes. Get back on Ringmaster to Scrambler. Scrambler is a climb to Carnie. Carnie is a long trail with flowee side hill stuff to cruise on. Jump on Lollipop, which is a fun punchy trail. Jump back on Carnie to the end. Take Ringmaster to Fairgrounds Connector and then Back Nine. This trail can get monotonous but it's worth it to get to Upper/Lower Birdie. After Lower Birdie you can head back to golf course via Dogleg or do another run on Lower Birdie by climbing up Porcupine to Lower Birdie shortcut.
