Joralemon Park and Deer Mountain Nature trail (a.k.a. Ravena Loops)

[edit] Description

Intermediate trails and powerline ATV roads with a good mix of exposed limestone slabs and boulders to ride over, as well as some more traditional upstate NY singletrack. A large 20 mile loop, encompassing both of these areas, is the usual ride here using the powerline trails and several local roads to connect the two. Joralemon Park is now 320 acres, with trails owned and maintained by the Town of Coeymans. Deer Mountain Nature Trail is on 170 acres owned by Lafarge North America Cement corporation. Both are open to the public. These trails are not advisable to ride during the hunting season, even though hunting is officially prohibited there, due to many adjoining private lands where it is allowed. An out and back ride on the powerline trail going north towards Alcove Reservoir is worth the trip, with many more exposed rock ledges and features to play on, with short sections ducking in and out of the woods on either side of the lines.

[edit] Directions

‘’’From Albany’’’- Take Route 9W south to the intersection with Route 143 in Ravena. Turn right on Route 143 (going west) and drive approximately 2.5 miles to County Route 102. Turn right on CR 102 (north) and go 0.5 miles to Joralemon Park. Continue past main entrance on CR102 to the tennis courts on the left side. Park and unload here. The main trails are across CR102 from this spot. Start your ride going north on CR102 from the parking area, then begin on the yellow loop. If you want to do a warm up before taking on the Big Loop, ride the red loop to the right, then the blue loop, and back to the red loop heading north. Follow this old forest road up the hill of limestone ledgerock , which eventually leads to the powerlines. From there, follow the lines south, crossing three roads. After crossing the third road, stay on the main line trail as it bears to the left into the woods. You will cross an open meadow with ATV tracks, go up this hill and continue on the left trail. Stay on the main trail and eventually cross the shaley top of the Coeymans landfill area. Follow the top of this trail, bearing right back into the woods, crossing some exposed bedrock, then out to the quarry overlook. Enjoy the fantastic views of Corning Tower, the Hudson Valley and the Catskills from here. Turn around and go back to the top of the landfill area, then turn right and go downhill until you hit the smaller powerlines, go right on these and follow them until you come to a road (South Jarvis Road). Go left on this road, then look for an old forest road on your right side. Follow this north until you pop out onto the smaller powerlines again. Follow these until you get to another road (North Jarvis Road). Go left on this road, and follow it till you see a left turn onto an unimproved road (Deer Mountain Village Road). Follow this to the end in 0.8 miles. Take the West Trail (to your right, behind the kiosk), cross the elevated walkway over the swamp, then continue through the wetland edge trail (some walking may be necessary). Out to the next bridge crossing you go, cross this to the end of the West trail, then follow past the end up an old forest road to the main powerlines again. From here, you can go left, which will lead you back to the entrance of the from the Red Loop of Joralemon Park. You may also pick your way through the old forest road/ATV cut-through on the far side of the bridge and ride the powerlines the other way (out and back ride mentioned above). At any point along the way on this spur, if you cross a road and go left, it will lead you back to CR102, which if you go left on, will take you back to the Tennis Courts. Another trail is rideable from the beginning of the powerlines where you came in from the Red Trail. This is the East Trail, which leads you back to the end of Deer Mountain Village Road and the kiosk. It has some steep wooden stairs that are do-able, but it’s mostly a hiking trail. There are other numerous ATV trails in this area to explore, so take a GPS with you if you are going to venture off this route. Be prepared to share the trails with motorized users on MX bikes and ATVs.

[edit] Trail Map

Disclaimer: The Capital MTB, ride leaders, and organizers of all rides and events listed on the www.CapitalMTB.org website are not liable for personal injuries or any other damages incurred while participating in the ride or event. Mountain Biking is an inherently dangerous activity. Any individual, by deciding to participate in this activity, takes on the responsibility for their own actions and safety while participating.