Off of Mountain Fork Road

[Frank Smith]

Well I found plenty of D/S trails off Mountain Fork Road, a bit east of Hurricane Road south of New Market.  It goes up the mountain and then levels off a bit with plenty of primitive dual track offshoots. I believe it crosses the mountain and ends in Princeton but I haven't went the entire route because I was by myself and didn't want to take the chance of a breakdown or other problem that I have a tendency of frequently getting myself into. The main road is rough in spots but doable on a big D/S. I'm going to do some more today and track it on my GPS. I'll get some pics too.  Let me know if anyone wants to ride it with me someday. 

[Hammerdown77]

I've got lunch plans today with my Dad otherwise I'd be up for checking this area out.

I've come at it from the other end, via Princeton, but didn't get very far. It was some pretty rough looking two-track (like you'd want a 4-wheeler for) and then there was a cable across the path. Based on all the 4x4s and 4-wheelers and guys in camo and blaze orange (this was late in the year, several years ago), I got the impression it was a hunting club's land. But that might have been in a totally different spot than where you're thinking.

[Frank Smith]

I made the ride again today. I used GPS this time. Wanted to see if it would take me to Princeton and it did. I knew there had to be an easier way than going all the way south to 72 and then back up north on 65. I attached a GPX file if anyone wants to see the route. The off-road portion is manageable on a big bike with knobs for the muddy parts. Now I just gotta find the way to Bingham mountain via this trail.

[jrobinson]

I know there is a way, I've followed others from Putman Mt/County Road 3 to Bingham Mt/County Road 106, but I couldn't tell you how we went.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah I know it's a maze of forest roads and trails that are all interlocking. I'll figure it out. Now that I have a way in that's 4 miles from home, and a GPS, it's just a matter of time.

[klaviator]

I'd like to go explore the area with you someday. 

[Frank Smith]

Ok.  I would prefer dry weather, the mud gets intense in the wet.

[klaviator]

Ok.  I would prefer dry weather, the mud gets intense in the wet.

Me too.

[Frank Smith]

I'll look into planning a day ride. We can base from my place, about 4 miles from the trailhead. I'll put ribs or brisket on the smoker beforehand, wife said she'll finish them up and pick up sides from New Market Barbecue to go with the meat. Sorry, but I could only host up to 6 riders. 

[marquez7890]

Next time you go, I'd like to join.

[Frank Smith]

Cool. Maybe you can help us get to Bingham

[marquez7890]

I don't know my way around up there. That ride we rode on together was the furthest I've been but I'll try to help out anyway I can though. I have a new front tire coming in Thursday for the wr and I'll be anxious to test it out.

[marquez7890]

I rode a little bit of it today, I turned around after I saw a sign that said the land was own by a hunting club.

[Frank Smith]

There are different trails off the main road, you should have kept going. They are closer to the hardtop on the other side as it turns onto CR3 near Princeton. Message me next time you wanna go.  I did go again this past weekend but it was spur of the moment, so I didn't have time to plan anything.  The ride is so close to where I live so I never know when I can break away.  If you want to go Saturday and it's dry out, I'll go with you. I have come to hate mud as I don't do very well in it.  Just let me know. 

[griff]

If you guys go in the mountain fork side, you better not be going around the locked gate. Those folks will not tolerate people doing that. I know someone that has gotten to go to court over being on the hunting club land at the end of mountain fork rd. I also know several people that have been escorted out at gun point.

Bingham does indeed interconnect through to Putman over the mountain as does the entrance from Mountain Fork Rd. I've been that way but it's been around 20 years ago before the Stevenson Land Co bought up a lot of that area and gated it. You could also drop down at county rd 4 right next to hollytree off road park at one point. It's all gated now as well.