Monday, December 29, 2008

Snow and Manzanita

In the past few days, I've spent hours clearing manzanita that hung across local trails. As is often the case after a big winter storm in Nevada County, heavy snow pushed these brushes down so they block the singletrack. As of now, there is a LOT of these downed brushes in our area.

I worked using large Fiskar loppers, but you can use this smaller 15" model which fit in your Camelbak and weigh next to nothing.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Land Trust Trails

The Nevada County Land Trust has created an interactive map that describes trails and trail projects they are working on. Great stuff. In my experience, it always pays to make maps of these projects public, as it gets the community excited about such efforts.

Personally, I am still awaiting a map of the Tribute Trail (a.k.a. Deer Creek Trail). Anyone know of one?

Monday, December 08, 2008

Emails Needed for Empire Mine Trail Plan

Please email your comments to State Parks regarding the proposed Osborne Hill trail plan. You can use the following letter as an example, editing it as you see fit. The deadline is December 24th.

Email address: CEQANSC at parks dot ca dot gov
Please put "Empire trails" in the subject line

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Heidi West – Environmental Coordinator
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Northern Service Center
One Capitol Mall - Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Ms. West

As a local recreationist, I appreciate the opportunity to comment on the Osborne Hill Trail plan for Empire Mine State Historic Park. As you know, this park offers an important trail inventory for our local community.

While I generally support the plan, I ask that you consider the following changes to it:

- User built trails currently slated for eradication should remain and become part of the park trail system. These popular trails have been used for many years and are often in excellent condition. In places where these trails have unsustainable slopes or design, State Parks should implement minor changes to achieve sustainability.

- When aggregate is used, the trail design should be such that it does not occur directly after a blind corner or sharp turn. Bicycles can lose traction in such conditions and leave the rider falling down onto sharp aggregate rock.

Thanks you for the hard work State Parks has put into this planning process. I look forward to seeing the results.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

High Grade Trail

From the Zack-Man:

"Nothin like the smell of fresh single track. December 5-7th Friday-Sunday

You are invited to come up and participate in the creation of the "High Grade Trail". This USFS trail will connect Forest City trail head with the top of Plioceen Ridge with connectors to the "Plum Valley Ditch Trail" and "Ridge Runner Trail".

Come participate in state of the art trail building techniques and check out equipment like the Groomer, Battle wagon, Bitch Witch and Max the Trail Excavator. Participate in Layout and alignment, creation of rolling dips, tactical features and finishing.

Overnight accommodations and base camp will be at the Tin Can Cabin and the Yomana House.

Contact us for more information and to RSVP.
Zachi Anderson 530 274 2388, Tin Can Cabin 530 287 3448

Directions; 17 miles N on highway 49 from Nevada City turn Right on Ridge Road. 15 miles to the left turn down 1 mile to Forest City. Tin Can Cabin- turn right in town up Main St. to end of pavement, proceed up school street till first sharp right infront of school house, park at houses. Trail work- back up pavement from town 1/8th mile to wide dirt landing on left just past powerlines. Follow ribbon and sounds of Joy. On the trail by 8-9am .

Bring your bike, trails are in great shape."

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Trail Do-Over at Empire Mine

As you may have read, State Parks is planning significant trailwork in Empire Mine State Historic Park. Some trails will be eradicated, new ones will be added (including a mountain bike specific trail) and others will be re-worked. Certain sections will see additional aggregate (gravel) on the surface. Which ones you ask? Well, see for yourself:

Note - This is 5MB+ PDF download
http://bonc.org/empire_mine_trail_plan.pdf

The file shows the existing trail network, proposed network and details about the proposed work. Please take a look and send any comments to the following address by December 24th:

Heidi West – Environmental Coordinator
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Northern Service Center
One Capitol Mall - Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814

Email Address: CEQANSC at parks dot ca dot gov
(Include 'Empire Trails' on the subject line)

Fax: (916) 445-9081