Trail Review – Hereford MUA in Dutchess County in New York

Hereford is a one of the many multiple-use area in New York State. This trail is also known by the name 909 Tyrell road. The 909 stands for the number of acres the area covers, while Tyrell Road accesses one of the parking areas. DEC regulations allow hunting, so from September and till around April, it may not be a good idea to ride this location. I have heard, the DEC tells people that it is wise to wear orange if you plan on being in the trail late in the fall or early in the spring. Make you feel warm and fuzzy, doesn't it! Hunting is banned the rest of the year. In the Winter, the area is used by Snowmobiles and someone has install very nice trail markers for them. These markers come in very handy when navigating the 909 acres of wilderness by mountain bike.

This trail has two dirt roads for all wheel drive vehicles, which form a "T" on the property. If you enter from the Taconic Parkway parking lot, the North facing single track, or left side of the parking lot with the Taconic to your back, you will be starting the outer loop. You start out on a quick little downhill that brings you to a small stream. If you use the speed on the downhill, the stream is just a dash. If you don't use the speed, you'll likely get your shoes wet. After you across the stream the trail go up a hill, over lose rocks. If make the stream crossing, you will likely make the climb to the top.

At the top of this first climb, the trail widens for about a 100 feet and then starts to a descent. During the descent the trail will return to a single track width. At the end of this descent you will come to a "T" in the trail. To the left is a "U" turn area that I don't believe goes anywhere. Make the sharp right turn and climb. After the climb you'll be reward with a descent again, this will put at another hard right. Where the trail turns you'll see private property to the left. You go to the right, which takes you up another climb. After the climb the trail flattens for a bit, at about this point the single crosses a fire road.

On the other side of the fire road you'll have a choice of single tracks to the left. You'll encounter some climbs and some quick downhill's. Eventually you'll come to the main fire road (which cuts the area in half). Take the fire road about a mile or so and look to your left for a trail with logs. Take it for about a mile, make the grueling climb over rocks and roots till you peak and you'll be rewarded with some awesome downhill which will get you to a plank crossing and back to the main fire road. The parking lot will be on your left. Total mileage is 7 - 8. Do it again or check out more single track in the middle of the area.

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