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Parking at Machens trailhead
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MA from Blairstown, NJ on 8/7/2012 1:39:37 PM:
Hi, my husband and I are planning a roundtrip ride starting from Machens to Clinton and will need some info about long term parking. I'm aware of parking at Black Walnut but is there parking closer to Machens, even if it takes a side trip to the trail. Thanks.
 
BikerBoy from Edwardsville, IL on 8/7/2012 5:52:42 PM:
There is really NO place to park at Machens. The trailhead is next to a working rail line and is surrounded by farm fields. There are a few houses at Machens (a few blocks away) but I doubt any of them would want the responsibility of watching your car. If you can park at Black Walnut, that would be best. Think of the very short bike ride to Machens as stretching your legs before you start the ride (it only adds a couple of miles).
 
Trek on 8/7/2012 6:51:44 PM:
We usually try to avoid parking the car in the middle of nowhere for any length of time. I'd park in St. Charles and ride up to Machens if I felt like I needed to ride the entire trail. I'd think the trailhead or a motel lot in St. Charles would be a better option.
 
KR on 8/8/2012 10:08:40 AM:
Treks right, not much between St. Charles and Machens. I would park in St. Charles by Frontier Park.
 
El Toro on 8/10/2012 7:07:26 AM:
One more vote for parking in St. Charles.
 
Gene from Indiana on 8/10/2012 10:08:41 PM:
Another vote for St Charles. Several years ago, a friend and I parked our trucks at the south part of Frontier Park. We let the Police know our vehicles and location.
 
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