That use to be my old stomping grounds. I would do a "heavyweight" training ride up into there, ride the ATV trails, then ride home. All day excursion pretty much at the time.
Location Location Location
Location is everything. A Need has been identified, and it's time that I shared that location that I've been scouting! Here is a map:
The lake in the middle of the image, at the bottom (only the northern tip is shown) is the north end of Porter's Lake. The road to the west of it that ends at the tip of the lake and turns into the wooded road(s) is Myra Road. Myra Road is off of the Old No. 7 HWY, about 9 km from Exit 18 on the 107. To get to the end of Myra Road is about 30 minutes of driving from either bridge. Location is everything, and I know that people on the Halifax side of the pond are probably wondering what's special about this location. I won't sugar coat it, what's special about the location is that it's a 12 minute drive from my house! These trails likely won't become regular stomping grounds for everyone in HRM, but if nothing else I hope that my experience will inspire / educate enough that others might take a similar course of action in other locations convenient to them.
As the map shows, there are already abundant trails in the area. Virtually all of these trails are atv trails, many of which are suitable for offroad trucks etc. The terrain is typical for the area. Very rocky, swampy and for all intents and purposes brutal for making decent biking trails. But show me land in HRM that isn't! It won't be rake and ride trail development, but there are areas with old growth and there is definitely enough rock and soil around to armor as needed. The topography is very interesting with lots of ups and downs and plenty of water works for scenery.
I don't have specific trail locations in mind yet. I do have a few areas where I'd like to start, but it's premature at this point. Right now the next step is to confirm with DNR that this land is in fact crown land, and thus theirs to grant permission to use. I've got a list of necessary items from DNR that I will need to make this proposal, but I'll need to confirm how specific they need me to be in drawing up the proposed trail plan.
I've been receiving e-mails, private messages, phone calls and secret notes requesting meetings in dark alleys... all of which are from people who want to help. You guys know who you are and you're awesome. For now, I encourage you to get out there at some point to ride the ATV trails and get an idea of the land. Please be cautioned though, this area is notorious for people getting lost... even our regions most experienced navigators have been stumped in there on a several adventure races. Also be prepared to get wet! The ATV trails don't meander around the wet stuff like we will.
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Friday, October 30 2009 at 6:14am
#3
Friday, October 30 2009 at 7:29am
#4
Ryan, the scale depends on your screen's resolution etc. but the map shown is ~ 6.75 x 14.5 km. As for available area, it's virtually unlimited. As the crow flies, from the northern tip of Porter's Lake, or the existing trail head, it's about 14 km to Old Guysborough Rd / the airport. Guysborough Rd is basically the northern border, HWY 118, some 16 km west is the western border and HWY 357, about 15 km east is the eastern border. Effectively the northern tip of Porter's Lake is the southern border. Total area is probably likely well over 500 km^2.
Where the northern border is near the airport, it's quite likely that a secondary trail head might make sense should the trails make it that far north. There is a major ATV throughfare going from Porter's Lake to the airport, so this wouldn't be hard. All that would be needed is some worthwhile singletrack! Plus the second entrance / long course is an attractive thing should we consider having a set of trails worthy of a 24 hour race course. If you know me then you know damn well I've got that kind of an event in mind for the far future!
Martin, I'd love to know where you used to ride in there! As it stands, although wet, the ATV trails are actually already an entertaining and challenging ride. The only thing missing is singletrack. Maybe sometime we could do a little recon ride?
Friday, October 30 2009 at 8:06am
#5
I used to have the massive Porter's Lake Loop inmy map book (it might still be, but I haven't printed it in awhile so am not sure). You've got a lot of land to play with thats for sure.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 8:08am
#6
The massive Porter's Lake Loop? Which one would that be? The amount of trails in that area is insane. I really mean it when I say it's dangerously confusing.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 9:27am
#7
This big loop....
It starts at the bottom at the end of Mira Road. A couple KM of it is on the Goffs paved road.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 8:50am
#8
Myra road claimed my truck overnight once or twice some years ago..Delinitely no shortage of land, atv trails, and woods.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 8:51am
#9
Okay, thought you were actually circumnavigating Porter's Lake! (I didn't think that was possible without road biking.)
Rotate T.S. map 90 deg CW for comparison purposes. You've basically got the two through routes to Guysborough Rd. highlighted. That is a hell of a ride! Talk about an all day adventure... and I'd challenge anyone to get it right!
Friday, October 30 2009 at 9:22am
#10
Nice Andrew
I'm willing to lend a hand as well should you get the OK
Friday, October 30 2009 at 9:23am
#11
The more the merrier!
Friday, October 30 2009 at 9:28am
#12
Rotate T.S. map 90 deg CW for comparison purposes.
done.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 9:30am
#13
Sweet! Your map extends north well beyond mine, the northern part of your loop isn't pictured on my map.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 10:24am
#14
For those of you who have been in the area and know the type of land there... it's a tall order eh? It'll be tough to build, but I hope that the nature of the land will force us to do it right.
Give me some of your thoughts on the potential.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 10:39am
#15
It would require a lot of work (but what trail doesn't :)), and would be tough going, but i think there is lots of potential in that area for some great trails.
Friday, October 30 2009 at 10:04pm
#16
Are the dashed lines woods roads?
Saturday, October 31 2009 at 7:18am
#17
My typical loop in there was starting from Myra road I would stay on the left of the river, ride out to the road that runs along the airport (Old Guysborough?), then ride stuff on the opposite side of the river out (the opposite side being the side with the huge, slight downhill rockgarden coming out). There were some pretty cool sights in there, nice lakes for stopping for a swim/top up of camelbak along with lots of wildlife. It really is an area that once you get back there you really feel like you are out in the wilderness.
Lots of land to play with, a bit of work building trail in there but there is some decent elevation changes as well. I remember some pretty scary ATV descents in there, or at the time they were anyway.
Saturday, October 31 2009 at 9:37am
#18
My typical loop in there was starting from Myra road I would stay on the left of the river, ride out to the road that runs along the airport (Old Guysborough?), then ride stuff on the opposite side of the river out (the opposite side being the side with the huge, slight downhill rockgarden coming out). There were some pretty cool sights in there, nice lakes for stopping for a swim/top up of camelbak along with lots of wildlife. It really is an area that once you get back there you really feel like you are out in the wilderness.
Lots of land to play with, a bit of work building trail in there but there is some decent elevation changes as well. I remember some pretty scary ATV descents in there, or at the time they were anyway.
Those descents are still there, and are a bit sketch... fun stuff!
Are the dashed lines woods roads?
Yes.
Sunday, November 1 2009 at 8:09pm
#19
if you are looking for honest opinions then i have to say that is a poor choice of land to build on that will require a portionally excessive amount of time to gain any results. also it is a heavy traffic area for four wheelers which could cause issues with user conflict and safety for riders. how do you plan on trying to keep the four wheelers from trying to use any new trail that is built.
if you want to build a lasting trail system you need a proper foundation to build upon. more than that you need an abundance of soil to work with in order to create something. i have riden in the area you are interested in durning the summer and found it to be one the wettest spots around, poorly drained, very rooty and not a lot of actual soil to work with. i like the idea and would love to see us finally get some land set aside for our own use. i just feel that we need to pick our battles over better terrian.
Sunday, November 1 2009 at 9:24pm
#20
I hear you about the terrain. In HRM we're dealing with is a general lack of crown land, but more importantly since I plan on doing this thing so I want it to be close to home. This spot, believe it or not, it way better than any of the other locations I scouted. Not to mention that the other spots are privately owned by dozens of people. In the past few months I've been hanging out there quite a bit, and with careful choices there are spots where trail building will be relatively painless.
The issue of ATV traffic is a big one. I've had many encounters with them and they are the most responsible ATVers I've encountered. For such a busy spot, it's very clean as in there is no garbage... I find that rare on busy ATV through ways. Trees are cleared as soon as they fall, and they put down some serious effort into their bridges. That said, if there is going to be a race course laid out, consideration will be needed to ensure that ATVers have a way through and that there aren't any camps that are blocked off.
Perfect? Far from it. Best case scenario for me? Looks like it.
Monday, November 2 2009 at 8:18am
#21
long as you are going into this with your eyes wide open. randy comoue and simon myatt both live out that way and have a good history of getting involved you should reach out and talk to them if you have not all ready. as well i would suggest contacting the head of the cape to cape trails effort about info relating to talking with the various levels of government for land access and grants that can be applied for again if you have not all ready.
Monday, November 2 2009 at 8:26am
#22
Eyes are open... even if they are wincing part of the time!
For over a year I've been in contact with the government about this project while I've been looking for a reasonable spot. It's insane how many phone calls and transfers it took on many occasions, but I've finally got a direct line and e-mail to the proper department and I'm on a first name basis with the man who accepts proposals.
Monday, November 2 2009 at 8:27am
#23
Simon is in PQ by the way, for about a year, but his brother Android is still in the area and of course Randy is too. I hope to get some input from them / assistance in any capacity. There are a lot of other folks out this way too... I see lots of bikes on cars, and I've met quite a few people online as well.
Tuesday, November 3 2009 at 1:20pm
#24
I belong to a forum for ATVs. If you'd like I can throw out a feeler to see which club/clubs are in that area and maybe you could get a little dialogue going with them. I think most/if not all would very receptive to having some MTB trails in the area.
Tuesday, November 3 2009 at 1:45pm
#25
I think you're right Squishy, and thanks for the offer! I'm already in touch with a man who is a big player in the ATV community, I can't remember his title. He helped me look for viable land options. I think it's premature to send out any information outside of the community just yet... but there will be a time when the ATV community's input will be very important.
Lets wait for now, but when the time comes we can both exercise our contacts!
Tuesday, November 3 2009 at 2:19pm
#26
No problem. Just drop me a line when you think the time is right.
What roughly is the scale on that there map? How much area are we looking at?
If you need any help with anything just let me know.