Robin
Well-Known Member
Good to see you @snashters . We rode up the pipeline to the top - the bottom to first gate was muddy...and very top/flat area.
Sourlands Mountain Preserve Conditions
- Thread starter clarkenstein
- Start date
JPark
Well-Known Member
C trail is a BRUTAL climb.The top trails are mostly dry. The lower trail south of the pipeline not so much; I turned around when I got to this & rode up the C trail instead.
But it is the driest way up
It's different but fun. There's lots of rock there, but there are mostly big smooth boulders instead of janky, sharp rocks. Don't be discouraged if it's boring at first. I brought @Wrong Way Dan there a while ago and we started out in the normal clockwise direction. The first 20 minutes or so is super boring, easy climbing with no real rocks, so he thought I was messing with him when I told him to trust me and he'd like it. Once you get up top though, there's much fun to be had.
Yeah this, though you can still have a good time if you don't see the alt lines. The main problem with Sourlands is how far away it is and how nuts it gets with hikers on the weekend. Definitely recommend going early or on a weekday if possible.
I don't know what this is, but I like the way you think. I'll have to check it out next time I'm down that way 😁
It's the "Center Connector" trail on TF. The lower half of it is one long uphill rock garden, it's all doable but there's no letup to regain your composure.
JPark
Well-Known Member
my e-bike turned Sourlands from a challenging place to a fun/challenging place.
phillychris498
Well-Known Member
The technical trails up top here are extremely different from anything else in New Jersey in my opinion. They’re super fun rocks to ride, and like Patrick tagged me for, there’s some crazy alternate lines to get some serious air/serious consequences. I’m pretty proud of myself for knowing most of those lines at this point, but it has taken years of riding there (and those lines tend to disappear quickly if no one is riding them).
JPark
Well-Known Member
Are any of these Alt lines far enough off the main trails that riders wouldn't notice them? Maybe they could be put on trailforks so they don't disappear.
I try to plan a group ride once per year here. Dunno when that will be with a newborn at home but i'll try to get it scheduled. Here's what i posted in the Chimney thread if anyone is too lazy to look there. In my opinion, Sourlands is smaller but harder than Wildcat, but Wildcat has much more climbing which makes it feel harder.
Normally, start on Lower Trail 1 and 2 and go generally clockwise or you're not gonna have a good time. This time of year, lower trails are a muddy mess though. Going straight up the Pipeline to the good stuff basically avoids the mudfest even though Pipeline isn't fun. 3 Amigos, Montezuma, Chunky Monkey, and Boulderama are the Tech you seek. DO NOT try to climb Boulderama.
Normally, start on Lower Trail 1 and 2 and go generally clockwise or you're not gonna have a good time. This time of year, lower trails are a muddy mess though. Going straight up the Pipeline to the good stuff basically avoids the mudfest even though Pipeline isn't fun. 3 Amigos, Montezuma, Chunky Monkey, and Boulderama are the Tech you seek. DO NOT try to climb Boulderama.
All the ones i know are parallel to the main trails. Though i'm sure there are infinite boulders you can link together off trail with enough time.
In my opinion, Six Mile is smaller but harder than Round Valley, but Round Valley has much more climbing which makes it feel harder.
Yeah that makes total sense 😜
kaitlyn
Well-Known Member
challenge accepted!
This will be fun! I'm wondering how it will be on an emtb?
Note - this is not Boulderama...
This trail is ridden towards the photographer - that root is a mental block for me - one time i made it over,
i got so stoked that i dabbed on the next rock.
Same trail - the approach to that root is a left around the boulder in the upper left
Lots of fun stuff in here:
Taming the Sourlands aka Conquering your Nemesis
Hey it's the annual July dry out - will be primo for a few weeks barring torrential downpours. Hit the window! PS finally conquered nemesis
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JPark
Well-Known Member
I have the identical story!This will be fun! I'm wondering how it will be on an emtb?
This trail is ridden towards the photographer - that root is a mental block for me - one time i made it over,
i got so stoked that i dabbed on the next rock.
View attachment 232596
Lots of fun stuff in here:
Taming the Sourlands aka Conquering your Nemesis
Hey it's the annual July dry out - will be primo for a few weeks barring torrential downpours. Hit the window! PS finally conquered nemesiswww.mtbnj.com
Same trail - the approach to that root is a left around the boulder in the upper left
View attachment 232597
I've only cleared that root once and I foot-dabbed right after it.
It's still really tough on the ebike. I tend to overpower it and lose traction. I probably need to get more speed on the approach but that water hazard to rider's right makes me nervous.
Starting over
New Member
Tough section for sure. Momentum is key.
I hiked yesterday evening, up the C trail to Montezuma & a loop around Chunky & 3 Amigos. Trails are wet & muddy in the usual places & in the not so usual places.
This was at the top of the C trail between Boulderama & Monte :
This was at the end of 3A where it goes around (now thru!) the pond that sometimes forms there :
There's a tree down half way up the C trail :
This was at the top of the C trail between Boulderama & Monte :
This was at the end of 3A where it goes around (now thru!) the pond that sometimes forms there :
There's a tree down half way up the C trail :