Trails: There is a large network of trails for mountain biking throughout the forest with plenty of singletrack. Access fee: None Nearest town: Westchester,CT Trail map: Web site:Salmon River State Forest Points of interest: Salmon River is great for whitewater kayaking in the spring. Covered bridge and salmon ladder are on the river. Other activities: Hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing Lodging: East Hampton and Colchester Camping: No campground in the forest Weather forecast:Norwich Tourism info:Connecticut River Valley & Shoreline Visitors Council Getting to the trail: The forest is just north of Westchester. Map of local region:Westchester
Area name: Salmon River State Forest Number of times riding the trail: Once Date last ridden: Sept, 2002 Trails ridden: One of the trails starting at Bay Pond. Favourite trails: I've only hit one trail so far, but it was definitely a sweet ride. Best time to go: whenever there's no snow... Trail marking: None Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 5 stars What I liked: Perfect trails for someone into downhill mountain biking & wants something close to home. If you start at Bay Pond, the trails head downhill for the majority of the way. There are lots of forks in the road, so sometimes you'll still find a nice quad burning uphill ahead, but for the majority you'll be flying downhill with some nice rock jumps & drops to play with...Even a couple log bridges & drops into the river. The ashfault road, which some trails intersect, is a possible way back to Bay Pond, but get ready to climb a nice hill... What I disliked: Absolutly nothing. It was a blast. Comments: Start at Bay Pond and rip it up baby! Submitted by: YO from: Rhode Island Date submitted: Sept 27, 2002
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Area name: Salmon River State Forest Number of times riding the trail: Weekly Date last ridden: Sept, 2002 Trails ridden: All of the ones that I could find. There are plenty more!! Favourite trails: The trail from the rail trail just beyond the viaducts in colchester/east hampton, to the salmon river access road. Best time to go: Any time that you want to get out there. Spring is fun, and not too hot, and in the fall the colors on the trees are beautiful. So I would call that the best time to ride. Trail marking: Fair Trail maintenance: Fair Rating: 5 stars What I liked: There are many trails to find and explore, and none of them are so long that you could get lost in the middle of the forest somewhere. There are trails for every ability level. Somedays you may be in the mood for a quick easy ride, and some days you may be in the mood for some serious drops, and lots of rocks, and this network can accomidate all of the rides that you can think of.
The trails run adjacent to the Airline trail (rails-to-trails), so if you want a flat wide open ride, then you can get there. As a matter of a fact, to find some of the trails in the forest, you need to use the rails to trails to get there. In sharp contrast, there are miles and miles of steep desents, and boulders to play around with.
If your looking for the adventurous trails, head to day pond state park, and start there, as alot of these trails start there and head into the forest. Or you can park in the salmon river forest parking lot on river road near the colchesater/marbourough line. From there take the rail trail for about 3 miles, it's flat, and a real easy ride. It will take about 15 minutes, but you'll be at the viaducts. Once you're there the trails are all over the place. Hit the trail, and you're in some of the best singletrack around.
This is my local place to ride, and it's really big. My advivce is to get a map of the salmon river state forest from DEP, so that you will know the best way to get there for you. There is alot to find, so what are you waiting for? Get out there and ride. What I disliked: If you ride for a while on the access road between River road, and Bull Hill road, there can be a pretty decent amount of traffic, so watch your back. It's a dirt road, and there arn't that many cars, but the ones that do travel on the road to get to the fishing spots can go seriously excess the speed limit. Just stay to the side, and you'll be fine. Comments: Happy Trails. Submitted by: J. Brayman from: Eastern Connecticut Date submitted: Sept 13, 2002
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