Meadowlark Park Mountain Bike Trails

This was our first time visiting Meadowlark Park in Northport, Long Island New York.  We took 25A east from Huntington, made a right turn down Middleville Road and found the park just past the Northport Veteran’s Hospital on the right side of the road.

The park had ample parking with mountain bikers coming and going.   When we mentioned to a few that it was the first time Kelli and I were trying the trail we were warned that it was an Advanced technical course with lots of log obstacles.   They sure we’re right.   Helmets and EYE PROTECTION are required.

We were told there were new log additions to the course but also some new “bailouts” where we could go left to avoid the logs.   So, we started out with caution   The first part of the trail was a fun, twisty path called Andromeda.   The log obstacles came early and were frequent.

As you can see, this log stack did not have a bailout around it, as did most of them on the early part of the course called Andromeda.   So, we walked our bikes over them until we felt warmed up enough to try attacking them.

After we warmed up we begin to gain confidence and tackled the logs.  There must have been 50 log obstacles on this trail so we sure got lots of practice.  If in doubt, walk around.  Take the easier path to the left (or sometimes right side).

At one point on the trail we found a sign from ClimbOnline.org warning people not to remove logs from the trail.  The sign says this trail was designed to be More Difficult.

If you want easier trails you are advised to ride Caumsett, Sunken Meadow or Edgewood Preserve in Commack.   Removing logs from the trail at Meadowlark is considered an act of vandalism.

So if you don’t want to ride over log obstacles, do not visit Meadowlark Park.

So, we kept our weight back over our rear wheels, stayed loose and calm with our arms and maintained confidence to get over the logs.

Some of the fallen trees crossing the path were huge.

There were also a lot of fallen tree “tunnels” we had to cross under.

I really like going under fallen trees.

Let’s hope all the fallen trees we ride under are firmly put.  Some of them are huge timbers.

Somewhere in the lower part of the trail, probably in an area called “Sea Monster”, we came across an area that made us both get off our bikes and say, ‘Wow!’

All the leaves in this area were red, pink, white and yellow…

This place in the forest had a magical feel.

Here are some quick 10 second videos we took on iphone…

Kelli video…

Gio video…

We then continued on the trail…

We went through lots of winding, twisty trails  in sections called Little Nymph…

And Medusa…

With 5 miles of trails, Meadowlark offers a lot of varied terrain, scenery, climbs, dips, pits, jumps and more, making for a fun, rewarding and challenging ride.   Please note in the above map that there are many horse trails in the park crossing mountain bike paths.   So please, be aware and courteous of others, especially horses that can get spooked by cyclists.

We stopped to rest in the middle of this pine forest which we think was around trails named “Queen’s Trail” and “The Hero”.

We wound our way back through fun, winding trails.  This park is definitely for the advanced riders, however, while we were riding there a father and his two young sons passed us on a trail.  We found out the boys were ages 6 and 8!  So don’t be too intimidated.  Remember there is no shame in walking over or around difficult parts of a trail until you feel you can handle it.  In fact, it is wise to scope out the terrain of a trail cautiously before you let loose and tear it up.  Safety first!

We had a fun, safe time mountain biking at Meadowlark Park.  Looking forward to more good weather and rides before the year ends.   See you on the trails!