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Heaton State Forest
Hi All
I went exploring yesterday, first time riding in this area. I rode from Brunkerville on the management trail connecting to Sugarloaf Range Road and descended down to the freeway and wakefield. I rode pretty much out and back. Trail was in good condition, all being rutted from rain but still firm.
Do many people ride here? I stuck to the main trail as on my own and hadn't been here before. I had a map and it was comforting to see a few Moto's and 4WD's. I was thinking of following the trail north to Sugarloaf next time. Are there loops back to save covering same terrain? Is riding permitted in this area? There appeared to be a few promising looking trails off to the main along the way.I am guessing it is okay if The Moto's and 4WD's are there.
Thanks
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Ive never ridden the back side (western) of the sugarloaf range. We (HMBA) used to have a state level DH trail in the Heaton Forest that dropped back down into Killingworth.
Something worth noting though is that much of this land is not managed by Forests NSW anymore thanks to the NATIONAL PARK ESTATE (LOWER HUNTER REGION RESERVATIONS) BILL 2006.
Here is a map of the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Speaking to the NPWS staff at the time, they weren't overly happy getting this land, and Forests weren't happy giving it up. An area of about 536 hectares from the Heaton State Forest went into the Sugarloaf SCA. So as for single trail in the area, there is non that is legal.
If your really keen and want to read the bill, go here http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/bill/npeh...
This is the same piece of legislation that took away parts of Killingworth from legal mtb access and will ultimately claim the whole place when the Hunter Development Corporation hands it over.
Thanks for the information.
It all seems very political using these areas! There was a a number of moto's and 4WD on Sunday. Are they subject to the same legal restrictions?
One observation that was disapointing was the ammount of crap dumped at the trail heads close to the road access. The people that dump in forest areas are small minded losers that ruin beautiful places and I guess ultimately lead to the restriction of valid users in the area.
I will explore with caution not create a poor image for MTB riding. I update this forum of any good riding I encounter.
Some of the fire/management trails up there are as good as single trail and they are legal.
The rubbish is absolutely disgusting. I've found the eastern side of the range to be the worst by far.Some nasty things dumped around killingworth, and I am guessing everywhere else.
as far as I'm aware(info I received from NSW 4wd association)4wd access for the area
only the main sugarloaf range rd, blowey rd, gap rd, wakefield forest rd, archery rd & aubs rd are the only legal trails 4wdrivers are allowed to use.
moto's aren't supposed to be ridden in there unless it's on the main sugarloaf range rd
the track you rode from brunkerville is all on private property