Current Condition: Buxton (B-V trail) up Hares Canyon to Mtb Zone Loop and back

1/25/2010: Rode from Buxton trailhead (no cost for day use) on Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail to Stub Stewart State Park and up on Hares Canyon to Hilltop and then over to Mtb Zone access and the single track loop.  This is about 13 mile ride... roughly 1/3 paved, 1/3 shared-use (wide dirt trail), 1/3 single track (natural surface).

Riding Buxton up Hares, then mtb single track loop and back is an Intermediate level ride (about 13 miles).  If starting at Hilltop and riding just the mtb single track loop (back to Hilltop) would be a Beginner level ride (about 4 miles).

Encountered 0 other users on trail.

B-V trail is paved - so it's all-weather ridable - there's nothing blocking (downed trees removed).  Turning onto Hares Canyon trail from B-V trail on first 500 yard steep climb up Hares it is mucky but not bad (it's ridable back down without skidding).  There's couple of large puddles along section of Hares Canyon after the cllimb.   Cutting over on new trail from Hares up to Hilltop Day Use (rest stop) area there is one downed tree blocking trail (have to carry bike around).   From Hilltop back down and up on Horseshoe to Hares Canyon it is clear.   Another downed tree blocking Hares Canyon (carry bike over).   Mountain biking zone - IS NOT OFFICIALLY OPENED SO RIDE AT OWN RISK!  NO TRAIL SIGNAGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED - the single track is all draining well (nothing puddling) and first (two year old) section is solid.  Tree down on alternate bypass (log jump to berm) but not hazard (main trail goes around it). 

I'd stay off the 1/4 mile of fresh trail loop for the extended viewpoint - it needs to set up better and is not finished.

Map of ride... (red is GPS track)

Here's elevation profile of the ride from Buxton to Hilltop: 

Just remember (as you walk your bike up some steep stuff) you get to ride DOWN all that on ride back!

Elevation profile of Hilltop to Mtb Zone Loop (exludes 1/4 mile extended viewpoint loop) and back to Hilltop:

Notice that its good mix of short climbs and descents - this section is single track and designed by mountain bikers for mountain bikers... you'll likey!

Here's some pic taken today at the Buxton trailhead...

And one along Banks-Vernonia Linear Trail... (B-V is paved, this is a side trail - dunno where it goes... will have to explore someday)...