Since my last post, Art and I have been out twice with local mountain bikers, and county and federal land management to assess the trails up behind our house. The forest service is in the process of redesigning their recreational trails plans. We were there to help them locate problem areas to be re-routed on the existing trails that are in the process of being adopted. Also to help lay out some new trails to be written into the new plan. While this is super exciting news, this is all early stages and a timeline was not mentioned. In addition, this is not easy terrain to find a viable route as it is filled with giant cliff like rocks and deep crevices.
On our first day out all four of us spent 6 hours out in the field and did not come home with a complete route and solution other than: it may be easier to repair the old trail. Next day out was much more successful and we completed another trail with multiple problems areas and solutions mapped out in only 4 hours. We also helped them find a gate/trail location. The volunteer group carried the gate up to the general location a few weeks ago, but one gate will be replacing two gates that are about 100 feet apart. The terrain is steep, with rock slab, a drainage and a creek. We felt confident with our solution, and hope it gets approved so those gates can get installed. Like the new gate installed down lower on the trail, it is a combo horse swing gate and roll over for bikers and hikers. The gates separate state from national forest service. Both areas are grazed and fenced by local rancher. While the rancher manages cattle on horseback, he and his son do some mountain biking as well, which is pretty cool!
On our first day out all four of us spent 6 hours out in the field and did not come home with a complete route and solution other than: it may be easier to repair the old trail. Next day out was much more successful and we completed another trail with multiple problems areas and solutions mapped out in only 4 hours. We also helped them find a gate/trail location. The volunteer group carried the gate up to the general location a few weeks ago, but one gate will be replacing two gates that are about 100 feet apart. The terrain is steep, with rock slab, a drainage and a creek. We felt confident with our solution, and hope it gets approved so those gates can get installed. Like the new gate installed down lower on the trail, it is a combo horse swing gate and roll over for bikers and hikers. The gates separate state from national forest service. Both areas are grazed and fenced by local rancher. While the rancher manages cattle on horseback, he and his son do some mountain biking as well, which is pretty cool!
