Give you a thrill on this Blueberry Hill

Trip Report

Pocahontas State Park Mountain Bike Ride

Blueberry Hill and Trail (Intermediate Level)

Tuesday 6/27/2017

 We met at Ledo’s Pizza and went to the park in my car.

 The trip began a little later than expected, but we started at the boat ramp parking lot.  We biked over the bridge and veered right to take the gravel path up about 75’ until we hit the start of the Blueberry Hill Trail, which is a circuitous and rolling trail with climbs, followed by cooling downhill sections to turn back to a slow gradual grind uphill, followed by another cooling, rolling downhill section, banked curves, dry stream beds, and sandy plateaus.  After 2.25 miles we were at the top of the hill, so we took a rest.

 At the top, we began the very rolling trail called the Bell Lap trail with countless trail humps that gave a rollercoaster effect on this gradual downhill trail which is a lot of fun especially as fast as you dare to go.  But once at the bottom, you have to “pay for your fun” and work to get back to the top of the hill, heading up a pretty good ascent and then a good section to rest and pick up speed for the next advance up, always alternating with a flat or down section until the end which is somewhat of a grind the last ¼ mile until you reach the top which is the end to the Bell Lap trail and time for a good rest.

 After our rest the fun part going back awaited with twists and turns, rolling humps, and sandy flats.  This downhill section was made for speed!

The ride took just 60 minutes and it was a perfect end to a perfect day being about 75F and very low humidity as we rode past rising fireflies readying for their nighttime display.

Pack a snack or two and plenty of drinking water.  The total time including snack break should be around 1-1.5 hours

This is somewhat challenging 6 mile bike ride but a great, fun bike ride worth any challenge and you’ll get a thrill on this Blueberry Hill Trail!!

We’ll start at the boat ramp, cross over the steel bridge and head to the right to connect to the Blueberry Hill Trail.  The initial part has a few uphill sections, but just as you are tiring out it flattens out to a gentle downward slope with plenty of humps that are great for using as a jumping-off platform (should you want to do that).  After a while there is the top and a good resting point before tackling the undulating, rolling hills of the Bell Lap trail—biking meets roll-coaster.

This leads back down the hill were you loop back up to the start of the Bell Lap Trail and to continue on the Blueberry Hill Trail back slowly down to the boat ramp.  Total trip is about 6 miles and 60-90 minutes.  This is a really great new trail that is full of twists, turns and humps.