New York · Mountain biking

John Young

0.3 mi
round trip
24 ft
climb
Singletrack
surface
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

John Young is a short, easy mountain biking ride of about half a mile in Tug Hill State Forest in northern New York, managed by the State Department of Conservation. The route is an out-and-back that gains about 24 feet in elevation, with the high point at 1,296 feet, and it is flat for most of the way, with the steepest stretch at about 2% near the start. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from the nearby Watertown weather station run from highs around 75°F in June to about 80°F in July, with snow days dropping to zero from May through September. That station sits well below the ride, so temperatures on higher ground run cooler. Several other trails start close by. Oak Rim is about a tenth of a mile away, and Electric Loop is about 0.2 miles off. The Pole Line Trail and Whiteway, both about half a mile away, add hiking options.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit John Young

    Best months: June–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      29° / 11°

      18 wet · 12 snow

    2. Feb

      31° / 12°

      15 wet · 10 snow

    3. Mar

      40° / 22°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      53° / 35°

      13 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      67° / 47°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 57°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 62°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 60°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 52°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 41°

      16 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 30°

      15 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      35° / 20°

      17 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Watertown, NY, 9.6 mi away at 497 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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