Expands Mountain Bike Trail System in the Wilmington Area

The Beaver Brook Trail System officially opened today, adding 3.5 miles of mountain bike trails to the Wilmington area. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and its partners celebrated the opening of the trails at the Wilmington Whiteface Bike Fest, which includes four days of bike races, rides and other entertainment.

“This trail system expands on the Flume Trail system and, combined with other trails and facilities in the Wilmington area, demonstrates how DEC can partner with municipalities and organizations to develop outstanding recreational opportunities for the public and economic opportunities for local communities in the Adirondacks,” said DEC Regional Director Betsy Lowe.

Representatives and staff from DEC, the Town of Wilmington, the Wilmington Mountain Peddlers, and the Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) were joined by the general public in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the trailhead in the Wilmington Wild Forest.

The Beaver Brook Trail System currently includes approximately 3.5 miles of trails for recreational activities in all seasons including mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. The trails were designed to meet the specifications of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and include trails rated as easy, moderate and hard. An additional 3.5 miles of trails are proposed for the Beaver Brook Tract. These trails should be completed in the near future.

The Town of Wilmington has been involved in mountain bike trail development through the DEC’s unit management planning process and has contributed town resources to construct and maintain facilities at the Beaver Brook Tract and the Flume.

“This is very exciting to have the grand opening of the Beaver Brook Trail System,” said Randy Preston, Supervisor of the Town of Wilmington. “This project should serve as a model for other recreational projects in the Park. The partnership between the Town of Wilmington and DEC has been very positive and ongoing. People of all ages and abilities can enjoy the trails whether it be mountain biking or a walk in the woods, this is truly a beautiful spot which will add very nicely to our Town’s network of mountain bike trails. This joint partnership continues to secure our spot as a mountain bike destination.”

BETA volunteered many hours to help construct and maintain mountain bike trails in Wilmington, and lead trail building efforts at the Beaver Brook Tract.

“The trail development project at Beaver Brook in Wilmington has proven to be a great place for our local community of trail building volunteers to come together and build some great bike-friendly trails, said Matt McNamara of BETA. “It’s rewarding to see our collective efforts bearing fruit, and we’re excited to continue our work at Beaver Brook and elsewhere in the Whiteface region.”

The Wilmington Mountain Peddlers have been involved from the early days of trail development at the Beaver Brook Tract, and strongly advocated for mountain bike trails. The group has volunteered many hours to construct and maintain mountain bike trails in Wilmington under DEC’s Adopt-A- Natural-Resource program.

“The new Beaver Brook trail system represents just the latest step in trying to make Wilmington the mountain biking capital of the Adirondacks,” said Bert Yost of the Wilmington Mountain Peddlers. “ It could not have happened without the support of DEC, the local community including all of the volunteers, the Wilmington Mountain Peddlers, the Barkeater Trails Alliance, the Whiteface Mt. Regional Visitor’s Bureau, and all of the area businesses that have supports our efforts over the years. It’s a great new area with riding for all abilities including some fantastic vistas.”

Combined with the Flume Trail System, which opened in 2009, and the bike trails on the Whiteface Mountain Ski, which are connected to the Flume Trail System, there are now more than 20 miles of bike trails in the Wilmington area. This Wilmington area bike trail system was developed through the combined efforts of the DEC, Town of Wilmington, Wilmington Mountain Peddlers, Barkeater Trails Alliance, the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s Whiteface Mountain Ski Center and the Adirondack Mountain Club’s Trails Program.

More Info:
Bike Wilmington
Barkeater Trails Alliance