Mason Tract ?

[brianW]

I always pass the Mason Tract (28 near Woodlawn) and finally stopped and looked at the kiosk toady. Looks like there are some gravel/forest roads. Has anyone explored these?

[brando]

I scouted for deer back in there a few years ago. The gate at the highway was closed during the summer but they opened it in the fall when hunting season came in. Not sure if that's still the case.
Some really steep terrain. The road was up-and-down and well maintained. The tract of land goes to the river but the road stops short of it.

[brianW]

The gate was open today. There was a map and besides the road by the kiosk it looked like there was another one just north of it (maybe 1/4 of a mile) that branched out a bit. Just thinking of exploring since the trails are so damp.

[troy]

There's only a few miles of open road in there. From the kiosk to the end is just over +/- 1.6 miles but you get a steady climb back out. What I do is ride the roads there then take a left on 28 to the fs road at Woodlawn and ride that where it comes back out at Woodlawn then a left on Woodlawn to the fs road (661 I think) that goes past the fats north trail head then left on deep step to the fs roads by the south trail head. There's only a few miles of road and the rest is nice gravel and it's a good ride.

If it's dry I'll ride around the perimeter. I don't think you are supposed to do that but I've done it a few times. It's more double track than single track but there are some descent climbs. Definitely wear orange if you do they during hunting season.