Join the Pathfinders at 11am on October 17th and 18th at Rock City State Park for our Rock the Red House campout!
Not all rides should be existential challenges. As I get older, I begin to recognize the limitations of my physical body. Sleeping wrong can become a shoulder injury. Forgetting to take medication can ruin an endurance challenge. It is what it is – but sometimes riding is all about finding fellowship around the campfire in your coziest sweater. This is that time!
This is a road ride // mountain bike weekend campout!
DAY 1 is your choice between a short or long road/gravel ride, before a fun campout with your friends
DAY 2 is a mountain biking day in neighboring McCarty State Park.
BIG RIDE: *link to route here*
Big Length: 45 miles
Big Height: 3000 feet
SMALL RIDE: *link to route here*
SMALL LENGTH: 23 miles
SMALL CLIMB: 1700′
MCCARTHY STATE PARK MAP: *link*
Red House is New York State’s smallest recorded population. As of 2020, the residents dropped from 38 to 30. Almost no man-made traces of the old commercial hamlets, schools, or stores remain – leaving the area largely defined by the forest and state park. A true ghost town.
Red house was named after a civil war era home that was demolished in the late 1990s. There is a LOT of lore about that house. Some say it was super haunted with corruption, the occult, and all sorts of insane nonsense… fortunately it’s all made up. We’ll pass by where it once was at the confluence of red creek and the Allegheny river.
Drive down Saturday morning (OR Friday night!) and camp out in Rock City State Park at our designated PATHFINDERS CAMP SPOT where we can leave our cars, pitch our tents, and make our grand fire. Once everyone has assembled at the campground, we’ll load up our bikes and head out for a nice peak fall foliage observing dayride. The weather will be somewhat crisp, so bring a cozy sweatshirt, plenty of snacks, and a leaf-peepin’ attitude.
We’ll begin by climbing out of the state forest before descending down to Salamanca, crossing the Allegheny River, and then climbing up and over another mountain ridge before heading to Red House Lake. After a lake loop and picnic around the lake, we’ll head a bit south before looping back around through Beck and Lonko Hollow. Then we’ll continue north along the river to see Red House Brook, Shongo, and Salamanca again before heading back to camp.
The route would be perfect for a road/touring bike – and expect to go fastish with breaks at the midpoint and the top of hills for regroup. It’s a leisurely fall foliage tour though – so bring cider, donuts, and a chill attitude.
Once we return to camp that night, we’ll have a big campout complete with a bonfire, plenty of great food, and some activities to keep us entertained well into the chilly evening. The following Sunday morning, we’ll break camp and head out by mid-day. If you’re interested in just attending the campout and skipping (or doing an easier) ride, that’s also totally cool! I’ll post a short ride as we get closer to the event date.
Hope to see you all at camp!
Leave a Reply