Help Protect Missouri Bar and Humbug Trails

SPI hopes to log an area near the South Yuba River. Regardless of your feelings about such things, trails in the vicinity need to be preserved. Too many times in my nine years in Nevada County, I have seen commercial logging outfits totally trash trails and walk away from the carnage. Please consider submitting the following sample letter (or something like it):

California Department of Forestry/Calfire
Resource Management
6105 Airport Road
Redding, CA 96002
fax 530-224-4841

reddingpubliccomment@fire.ca.gov

RE: Buck Timber Harvest Plan, THP # 2-07-092-NEV(3)

To whom it may concern,

As an avid trail user, I know that the Missouri Bar and Humbug trails are important historic paths that are used extensively by our community. They provide access to beautiful public lands that area residents enjoy throughout the year. I am concerned that if implemented, the aforementioned timber harvest plan could significantly damage these trails. Therefore I ask that the CDF act carefully when considering approval of any such operation. Specifically:

• The plan needs to ensure that any operation associated with the plan leaves the trails untouched. It is not acceptable to damage culturally significant trails and attempt remediation afterwards. These trails need to be preserved in their exact state, regardless of the cost and inconvenience to the logging plan proponent.
• The plan needs to address precisely how it will pro-actively avoid any impact to area trails (including the South Yuba Trail) that could be caused by nearby logging operations, runoff, etc.

The area in question is not an obscure, remote hillside, but instead a natural endowment cherished by the community. Residents access this beloved area via these trails and it is the CDF's responsibility to safeguard these priceless cultural resources.

Truly,
YOUR NAME GOES HERE

Ride and Hike - National Trails Day

Ride and hike with your fellow trail users and celebrate Nevada County trails! As part of the local National Trails Day celebration, the Nevada County Land Trust is leading a bunch of trail events on Saturday, June 7th.

BONC will lead two rides (advanced and beginner) on Saturday, June 7th. Meet at 10AM at Rood Center to carpool to the trailhead. Afterwards, riders will enjoy BONC-provided snacks and drinks. No need to register, just show up and ride.

Burlington Ridge Trails Open

From Joe Chavez of the USFS:

"FYI - The helicopter is done logging. Therefore, the Burlington Trail
Closure has been terminated as of today! Enjoy! Joe"

CANCELLED: Bullard's Trailwork - 6/10

This event is now CANCELED. We will try and reschedule as soon as possible. If you know someone who wanted to attend, but does not read email regularly, please let them know.

Sorry for the late notice. The USFS just informed me. Long story.

Less Rash

If you find less poison oak on the South Yuba Trail in the next week or so, please thank Mike Haire, Dave Hughes, Tom-of-Sacramento, Rich Strohl and George Maire.

They are trimming the nasty stuff away for the rest of us, partly in preparation for the Big Brothers Big Sisters ride. My skin thanks you.

New Trail to Hirschman Pond

From Bill Haire:

"On Saturday, May 17, I will need the help of ten or so volunteers to
brush out the trail to Hirschman Pond from Cement Hill Road, across
from the County Government Center (Rood Center). We will be preparing a path from the planned trailhead to the pond along the trail route."

Want to help out? Call Bill Haire at the Land Trust: 530.272.5994

Individual Trail Work

This year, I've seen a great trend happening on local trails: individuals or small groups of volunteers doing trail work independently. These folks are not waiting for someone else to schedule a big group trail event, but instead forge ahead with smaller projects on a more frequent basis. Of course, this needs to be done with land manager permission, but it represents a great means of accomplishing more on the local trails we all love and use.

The latest example involve the finest efforts of Dave Hughes, Mike Haire and Tom-of-Sacramento (sorry Tom, but I don't know your last name). On Saturday, these three heroes headed down the Missouri Bar and South Yuba trails. They improved sections, trimmed back overgrowth and took out some downed trees that had forced trail users off trail. These guys put in EIGHT HOURS of work! Please thank them the next time you see them around town.

As you may know, for years I've encouraged trail users to carry smaller tools during rides/hikes. A few minutes trimming and sawing here and there collectively makes a big difference. For example, I've taken out lots of overgrowth on Osborne Hill near my house over the winter during hikes with my dogs. My tools of choice are hand clippers, a folding saw and these incredibly light, powerful loppers that fit in my Camelbak.

Then again, if you dig the camaraderie, fun and free beer offered by group trail work days, there is a Bullard's Bar trail event on Saturday, May 10th.

Bullard's Trail Day - 5/10

Join us for a trailwork day on Saturday, May 10th at Bullard's Bar. Meet at 9AM @ the USFS Yuba River Ranger Station at the corner of Highway 49 and Marysville Road. Map.

We will work to improve BONC-adopted trails in the area. We will also lead a group of college students who have volunteered to pitch in. Please bring gloves, long pants and shirts, water and insect repellent. See you there!

Trailwork Near Lone Grave

From the Gold Country Trails Council:

There will be a club-sponsored BBQ after the trail work day! A great time for trail volunteers to socialize and get to know one another!

When? Saturday, April 26, 2008

Time? Meet at the Gold Country Equestrian Trailhead staging area (off of Conservation Road off of Highway 20) at 8:45 a.m. Be ready to carpool to the work locations. Work will be completed in approximately 3 hours.

Why? We will be providing general trail maintenance on local trails.

Please bring rakes, shovels, loppers and handsaws. GCTC will provide additional trail tools. Please bring a chair and drinking water. Per Forest Service requirements, long sleeve shirts and pants and close-toed shoes are required; please wear gloves. If you're planning on attending, please call Willie and Sue Brusin at 530.265.4018.

Haire-o-thon!

Bill and Mike Haire have cut in an entire section of the Loma Rica Trail. If you drive by, this trail is just below eyesight on the north side of Brunswick Road near the Nevada County Horseman's area entrance. Plans for a bridge over Wolf Creek are moving along.

See a map of the entire proposed trail (PDF).

Please thank Bill and Mike if you see them. Mike spent a big chunk of his vacation time building this new trail for everybody.

Prescribed Burns @ Bullard's

From the USFS:

"The U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest, Yuba River Ranger District is planning to start the Bullards Bar Prescribed Fire Project today. This project includes approximately 70 acres of underburning at Vista Point, north of Marysville Road, in Yuba County.

Dependent upon favorable weather and air quality conditions, the district hopes to complete the project this spring. Goals include reducing hazardous fuels, habitat improvement, and reintroducing fire as a natural ecological process.

The legal locations for the project are T18N, R7E, sections 24. If you have any questions about this project please contact Mike Cherry, District Fire Management Officer or Janet Cowell, District Fuels Officer at 530-288-3231."

Iron Mike

Yesterday afternoon, while driving my kids to back from school, I passed Mike Haire as toiled away on the new Loma Rica Trail off Brunswick Road. There he was all alone, digging away with his Pulaski, forging a new trail for the rest of us.

I hurled some insults at him as I drove by, but he was oblivious to my harrassment. Mike did all this work after he rode the Missouri Bar/South Yuba loop, as he related in an email. So he put in 17+ miles of riding and 2.5 hours of solo trailwork in one day. Henceforth, Metal Mile will be known as Iron Mike.

BTW, Iron Mike tells us that the poison oak is prevalent on the South Yuba/Missouri Bar Trails. This matches my experience on local trails of late.

Loma Rica Trail

Some new trail construction garners a lot of attention, while others progress quietly along. The latter best describes the Loma Rica trail project. Bill and Mike Haire have worked hard on this new trail and are making steady progress.

The proposed version of this trail (pdf map) would connect Empire Mine to Brunswick Basin along the Brunswick Road corridor. In effect, this connects trails from near downtown Grass Valley (Memorial Park) all the way to Town Talk Road.

Bill and Mike could use some additional volunteers. Call Bill at the Nevada County Land Trust: 530.272.5997.

Empire Mine Trails Update

If you are like me, you miss the trails that have been temporarily closed at Empire Mine SHP. The good news is that State Parks plans to open new and better singletrack in the park (imagine that). I checked in with Superintendent Ron Munson and this is what he had to say:

"Cultural survey work for the Osborn Trails Mitigated Neg. Dec.(MND) has been completed by Sonoma State Univ. Spring biological surveys are in progress right now by our own N. Service Center staff. So the CEQA review process is on track, and we still expect to begin the implementation of the Osborn trail reroutes and upgrades this fall (Oct?), in keeping with proposals generated from our public meeting."

Basically this means that we will can hope to see some trail openings toward the end of this year or early next year. Of course, you should add alway add six months to my optimistic estimates :-)

Epic Event: Donner Lake Rim Trail

A Donner Lake Rim Trail epic-like celebration is planned for the weekend of August 8th through 10th. BONC will join FATRAC, ROMP, Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBOSC) and others as we participate in a bunch of fantastic riding and build another sweet section of the Donner Lake Rim Trail.

Please mark your calendars, as this will be a great weekend of fun. Cost is free, more details coming. I've reserved group camp sites for BONC at Donner Memorial State Park.

IMBA Trail Care Crew Coming

The IMBA Trail Care Crew will visit Grass Valley and Nevada City on November 22-23. The visit will focus on one or more of the following:

Diamond Arrow Trail
Hirschman's Pond
Miner's Trail

If you have not participated in a Trail Care Crew event, they are super fun and rewarding. Please mark your calendar or use the Nevada County Cyclists Calendar.

More from the Tahoe National Forest

From Joe Chavez:

"Due to scheduled helicopter logging activity along and adjacent to the South Yuba Canal near the Burlington trail system, the Forest Service will be implementing a Forest Order to close the area 300 feet south of highway 20 and south of the 20-12 Road (Burlington Ridge Road).

The logging needs to happen during the scheduled dewatering of the canal starting April 14. The closure would be scheduled from April 14, 2008 through June 1, 2008. It is hoped that the need for the closure will only be three weeks, but the extra time is added just in case don't go as planned. Because of the need to complete the activity in three weeks, and due to the costs involved, the loggers will be working seven days a week. As soon as the helicopter
logging is done, the closure order will be lifted. The Memorial Day recreation event will still happen, regardless of their schedule, as we will require them not to fly during the days of the event (if they are still in the area by then).

I know this will be extremely inconvenient as the trails will just be opening up at that time. But, I hope that you can understand the safety need to not allow people to be underneath flying logs and falling limbs. The helicopters will be all over the place when they start the logging. The Pioneer Trail, Hallelujah Trail and Omega trail east of the staging area (can access the Steephallow area north of Highway 20) will remain available and open. Sorry about this inconvenience. Joe"

Downieville Shuttles

There is some controversy as to Downieville shuttle usage and new USFS fees. Joe Chavez of the Tahoe National Forest wrote me this morning and had this to say:

"Certainly the discussion is distorted. The reality is that in 2004 the Forest Service, nation wide, has changed its regulations to close the loophole that commercial businesses used to run shuttles and guiding when they only used Forest Service roads or trails, without having to be under permit. Now these commercial operations, like all other commercial operations using National Forest Lands, are also required to be under permit. We are not curtailing their business, in fact I have asked each shop to give me their past numbers over the last six years to set the capacity of shuttles to Pack Saddle at a level that reflects their highest use year's numbers. They would be required to pay a fee of 3% of their gross ($0.45 added to a shuttle fee of $15, or $1.80 added to a bike rental of $60) for the permit. This is part of the national policy that all commercial users benefiting from use of the National Forest must pay a fee.

There is nothing personal about putting the two shops under permit, it is our national policy. Based on user conflicts and trail impacts, the Forest Service would have the option to restrict their use numbers, but we are not proposing this because we do understand the importance of this economic engine to Downieville. The Forest Service also requires being additionally insured to protect the public's liability. Other areas, like the Forest Service in Moab, implemented the permit requirement back in 2004.

Appreciate any objectivity and reality you can shed on the issue with the community, thanks. Joe"

Killer Trailwork on Round Mountain

Yesterday was a great day for BONC. On the Rock Creek Flume Trail, we built fantastic re-routes that will be hella fun to ride, restored a masticated section, built up some erosion control features and completed it all in one outing. All on a gorgeous 60+ degree sunny day.

The re-routes involved blazing through lots of manzanita with chainsaws and hand tools, cutting new trail and building Zachi's extremely cool bermed switchbacks. The singletrack restoration up above was about clearing debris and restoring the trail. I thank all of the 12 volunteers who showed up and you should too. I am as proud of this project as any trailwork I've done with this club. In fact, after the trailwork, I drove back out to Round Mountain again to show Shannon our work and take pictures.

The new sections will be a bit loose and duffy until we see some wet weather, so please ride gently.

Big thanks to:

The Salvation Army, who allowed this project to occur on their private property.
Hyland Fisher, who coordinated with the SA.
Bill Haire, who plotted the re-routes.

Reroutes

Yesterday, Hyland and I met with management of the Camp Del Oro, which owns some of the land on which the Rock Creek Flume Trail crosses. We agreed to re-route two sections near the trailhead on Rector Road. One is just above the road and the other is a deeply rutted section a hundred yards or so above the first section. This work will make these sections more fun to ride and much more sustainable. We'll also clear a section of the trail of debris from a recent thinning operation.

Meet at the Forest Service office at 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, at 10:00 am. If you have loppers or folding saws, please bring them.

Big Trees Taken Out at Bullard's

Thanks to the efforts of the Tahoe National Forest staff and volunteer groups like BONC and SBTS, the Bullard's Bar trail system is kept in excellent condition. Even if it mean taking out big fallen trees. And I mean *big*.

Look at these pictures taken at Bullard's after recent storms. This was part of an effort that removed 30 fallen trees from these trails! We should all thank Joe Chavez of the USFS and every volunteer who works with him.

Round Mountain Trailwork Day, 3/2

Join BONC for trail work on Round Mountain on Sunday, March 2nd, 2008.

1. We will be installing culverts in two locations where a creek crosses the trail and perhaps implementing some additional erosion control features.

2. We will be cleaning up the Flume trail near Rector Road. The property that this trail is on was recently cleared for fire abatement and the trail has been lost under the leftover plant material. We have been given permission from the property owner to do this work.

Meet at the Forest Service office at 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, at 10:00 am

We will have food, drinks, beer and maybe even some free schwag! Rain or bad weather cancels the culvert work; call 274-DIRT if things looks iffy.

Try the Divide Ride

New to mountain biking? The Try the Divide Ride event is for you. From the FATRAC website:

Every third Saturday FATRAC will be doing a combination ride from the picnic table at the top of the Forest Hill Divide Loop Trail which will include food and drinks at the finish. Three rides will begin at the same location.

A beginner/novice ride will be an out-and-back ride along the most accessible part of the FDLT as far as the riders are comfortable (probably 5 miles total). An intermediate ride will do one loop around the entire FDLT (12 miles). The advanced option will include FDLT, the Connector, go to the Confluence and possibly Stagecoach/Manzanita/Flood, depending on rider preference (between 18 and 32 miles). You decide which ride you want to participate in.

Register here.

Osborne Hill News

Today's Union brings us news that developers have pulled the Osborne Hill timber harvest plan (THP) that would have devastated trails on Osborne Hill. Great news!

Thank you to the CDF for listening to neighbor's concerns about this ridiculous logging proposal. We'll have to remain vigilant about this issue, as this trail inventory is important. I am hoping that we can create a win for everyone involved: trail users, State Parks and yes the developers.

Coming Soon: 14 Miles of New Singletrack

This week, the Auburn Journal reported that dirt will soon be turned for the creation of the North Fork Trail in Auburn. This was confirmed to me by a source close to State Parks.

The article does not mention, however, threatened legal action by those opposed to the trail. A few malcontents have made noise that this non-motorized trail might spoil the splendor of the area. I wonder how these people know that this area is so splendid. Perhaps by hiking off trail illegally and trampling the unspoiled area?

In any case, the trail will be fantastic. It will provide a whole new riding option from the Confluence area. You can ride up Clementine until you reach the split off for this new trail, where you can ride out 14 miles to Ponderosa Bridge and back. I know there is one trail/fireroad that climbs up from the new trail that will get you near Fuel Break, but I cannot recall its name. Perhaps it is the Lake Clementine Access Trail (PDF)?

BONC Potluck Postponed

Because of this unusual weather, tonight's BONC meeting is postponed. We'll have a new date for this event ASAP.

Go drink some hot chocolate.

Osborne Hill - Some Progress

The CDF has responded with to the Timber Harvest Plan (THP) submitted for Osborne Hill and their comments are very favorable for the cause of trail users. Essentially, the CDF found that the plan was riddled with inaccuracies and misinformation regarding everything from toxic substances to logging techniques. Most importantly for us, the CDF specifically called out the importance of trails on the property and how the THP does not address how trail usage would be affected by the logging.

The CDF suggested that the logging proponent withdraw the plan. While this sounds like a victory, who knows if the logging proponents will abide by these suggestions and withdraw the THP or just submit another half-baked proposal in the future. They seem just about as hard headed and clueless as they have all along.

Superbowl Ride

From BONC VP Hyland Fisher:

"Join us for the semi-annual Superbowl ride on Sunday, February 3rd, 2008. Meet at 10:00 am at the Flour Garden in downtown Grass Valley, CA (or the Flour Garden in Auburn, CA at 11:00 am).

Since there is so much snow up here in Nevada City / Grass Valley, we are taking the ride to Auburn or Cool. Please RSVP so we know who and how many to expect. Call me if you are unsure if the ride is going to happen because of the weather. My phone number is below.

This ride is open to all skill and fitness levels, consider it a "family friendly" event.

Be sure to dress appropriately, wear an approved helmet, bring food and water and make sure your bike is in safe working order.

We will decide (based on who shows up and the weather) which trails to ride and for how long.

If anyone wants to volunteer their home for a post ride potluck and Superbowl viewing party then please let me know."

BONC Looking for Input

At the BONC meeting this weekend (see cyclists calendar), the club will create a steering committee that will lead the club.

Interested in serving? It is not a big commitment, but it is an important one. You will help lead us make trail-related decisions.

If you are interested, let me know.

Union Editorial

Today, the Union ran my Other Voices editorial piece about expanding Empire Mine and the trails on Osborn Hill. Be sure to check it out.

And of course, please consider submitting a letter to State Parks and CDF. The sooner the better, as CDF is reviewing the logging plan now.

Round Mountain Trail Work Rescheduled

Because of Nevada County weather similar to that of my native New England, BONC needs to reschedule this weekend's trailwork on Round Mountain. Instead, you should go out and snowshoe or ski.

Residents and Trail Users Fight Logging Plan

Today the Union ran a front page feature story about the planned massive logging operation on Osborne Hill and how many of us are standing up to fight it. Be sure to check it out.

Contrary to what many might think with the current state budget crisis, there is plenty of voter-approved proposition money to pay for State Parks acquisition of Osborne Hill. This is why we need you to write State Parks to bug them about acquiring this parcel.

Updated Map

I've updated the Osborne Hill map with a bunch of details: photos, logging plan boundaries and the new road construction should the insane timber harvest go though. Check it out. You can embed this map in your own web page if you want - learn how.

Please consider writing State Parks and the CDF to help stop this absurd logging plan.

Added to the Empire Mine State Historic Park, this parcel would increase the size of the park by ~30%!

Maps of Osborne Hill

I've posted two maps related to saving trails at Osborne Hill. This map shows the approximate parcel boundaries of the property. I plan to update this soon with clickable images.

The second map (1.8MB PDF) shows the timber harvest plan. If you want to stop the obliteration of these trails, learn how. Thing is, we all need to act ASAP, as the CDF is considering the timber harvest plan now!

Save Riding Near Empire Mine

I've created a new web page dedicated to saving the trails and open space on Osborne Hill near Empire Mine. The would-be developer of this parcel plans a huge logging operation (THP 2-07-124-NEV(3) in a plan that does not accommodate or even acknowledge the existence of important trails in the area. After this, he plans to erect a bunch of McMansions that will lie right on top of trails we've used for years.

What is the alternative? People like you help the effort to annex the property to Empire Mine State Park. Read all about it.

Round Mountain Trailwork - Saturday, January 26

From Hyland Fisher, VP of BONC: "Join us for our 2nd ever trail work on Round Mountain! We will be conquering two projects.

1) We will be rerouting the trail that goes down to Coyote Overlook. This will become a destination, not a thru path. The new trail will be uphill from this location.

2) We will be installing culverts in two locations where a creek crosses the trail.

Meet at the Forest Service office at 631 Coyote Street, Nevada City, at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 26th, 2008.

We will have food, drinks, beer and maybe even some free schwag! Rain or bad weather cancels. Stay tuned to your email (the BONC email list) for further info."

Images of Round Mountain No-Moto Signs

On our ride yesterday, I snapped a few pictures of the new no-moto signs on Round Mountain. They look great and are well placed at trailheads in the area.

For some reason, I find the creation and installation of these signs to be very gratifying. BONC is all about cooperation and promoting and saving trails. The sign project involved lots of cooperation with the Round Mountain community and the BLM to help stop trail damage from mindless motoheads.

FDLT Trailwork

From FATRAC:

We have trailwork scheduled for December 16th on one of the area's favorite trails. Do you enjoy FDLT? Come out and make it better!

Sunday December 16th, 2007
Description: Come out and help us clean our trail. Contact the trailwork coordinator to confirm if chance of rain.

Meeting Location: Grizzly_Bear_House
Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Leader: Ron Dickenson

Round Mountain No Moto Signs are Up

The BLM tells us that they have erected no-moto signs at all important trail heads on Round Mountain! Yewhooo! This came about because of a BONC request about a year ago. Hopefully, this will deter at least some moto riders from poaching this area.

This project also has the nice side effect of engendering good will between BONC and the Round Mountain community.

More Fun on the Sandusky Trail

Alison sends us some details on the upcoming Sandusky trail building extravaganza:

"Dates: Friday, November 30th - Tuesday, December 4th, Weather permitting.

Scope: Work is proposed to commence Friday morning from three points on the remainder of the unfinished section of the Sandusky Trail. Access to these starting locations will be from the Ridge Road Trail Head. This is approx. 3 miles past the Forest City "mountain house road" turnoff on Ridge Road. Trail head will be flagged with vehicles parked along road."

No idea when the trailwork begins though. Alison? Zachi?

Trail Building at the Old Airport

Word is that about ten people helped out to build and improve trails at the old Nevada City airport last week. The effort was head up by Debra Little and featured the talents of the Miners high school team. I have not made it up to the airport to check out the work, but Debra tells me that they finished everything they intended to get done.

Trails so close to town are super important. They represent recreational opportunities for everyone without requiring a long car trip to access them.

Narrow Gauge/Tressel Trail Work Day - Sunday, 11/4

From the GCTC: Due to forecasted inclement weather, this work day has been rescheduled to Sunday, November 4. Questions? Please contact Melissa at 530.268.1378

Volunteers needed to complete this important project! This is the last workday of the year and your last chance to come out and make a difference on our trails.

When? Sunday, Saturday, October 20, 2007
Time? Meet at Skillman Campground (13 miles east of Nevada City off Highway 20) at 9 a.m. We will carpool from Skillman to the work site and be finished by 1 p.m.

Why? We will be completing the re-route of the Narrow Gauge/Tressel Trail. Please bring loppers, rakes and shovels. Bring drinking water and a lunch.

Per Forest Service requirements, long sleeve shirts and pants and close-toed shoes are required; please wear gloves. Hope to see you there!

Recap: Empire Mine Workshop

Saturday's Empire Mine trail workshop was very positive and super exciting; generally speaking, State Parks has some great plans for new trail and restored trails in the Osborne Hill area of the park.

Starting as early as March, State Parks will begin construction on new sections of trails. Pending input from the community, they will generally use the same names, but the trails in this area will be very different. The net mileage of trails here will increase a bit, but most exciting is that much of the new trails will be comprised of singletrack.

State Parks plans to re-work the super fun user-built trail that follows the fence line along Osborne Hill Road to be mountain bike-specific. This means it will be optimized for mountain bikers, with rock armoring and fun up-and-down sections.

The existing Powerline, Osborn Hill and other trails will be complete removed and replaced with singletrack. There will be a net loss of fireroads in this whole area of the park, which will be replaced by singletrack on a 48" bench cut, which of course will narrow to an ideal width within a few years

The two parts of the proposal that I am not happy with are the sections of hiker-only trails and the proposal to remove some user built trails. The hiker only built trails idea was widely denounced by attendees (equestrians, cyclists and even some hikers) and I believe that State Parks got the message that this is lousy idea that would deprive many of us of trail access. As for the user built trails, I believe that some of these are sustainable trails that should be adopted in the system as-is or with some modifications.

These plans are in draft form and State Parks want your input ASAP. Note that this project is fully funded. This means that whatever final plans are agreed upon will move forward very soon. This is why it is important to comment on this projects within the week.

Nevada City Trailwork, 11/3

Please join the Miners high school mountain bike team as we revive the trails around the old airport in Nevada City. This is your chance to add to local riding so close to town.

Meet at 9AM at the old airport parking lot. To get there, head up Airport Road (see map link below). If bad weather occurs, please call 530-274-DIRT after 7:00AM on 11/3 to determine if the event will be rescheduled. Map.

Forest City Trailwork

Sunday's planned trailwork at Bullard's was moved over to Forest City upon the suggestion of Joe Chavez of the USFS. There we worked on an entirely new section of the Sandusky Trail that has been punched in by Zachi Anderson. This new section is *great* and represents of lot of talented work by Zachi. The new section of Sandusky will be sweet to ride once winter works its magic on it. There are also some freeridish features on it that I look forward to hitting.

Today's effort involved finishing work on the trail bed by BONC volunteers, as Zachi worked the excavator. I believe Bob, Jimmy and Christine joined Joe Chavez on some brushing work as well. Thanks to everyone who helped out.

Pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/velojohng/SanduskyTrailwork

Bullard's Bar Trail Day

Please join BONC as we help improve this exceptional trail system with the Forest Service. We'll have some swag for participants, food, drink and quality beer. I am sure some of us will ride afterwards.

Meet @ 9AM (note the time) on Sunday, 10/14 at the Dark Day boat launch (map). If bad weather occurs, please call 530-274-DIRT after 7:00AM on 10/14 to determine if the event will be rescheduled.

Empire Mine Workshop - Saturday, 10/27

Did you know that State Parks is considering re-routing and closing some existing trails in Empire Mine and building brand new ones? The park wants to hear from you about all this. Please plan on attending this super important workshop (see below). You'll be able to speak firsthand with the folks who will create new trails at the Mine:

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Sheryl Watson, Information Officer
(916) 654-7538
October 4, 2007

Ron Munson, Sector Superintendent
(530) 273-3884

Empire Mine State Historic Park Works to Improve and Reopen Trails
Public Invited to Workshop and Hike Through Osborn Hill

WHO: California State Parks' Superintendent Ron Munson and Trails Manager Karl Knapp.

WHAT: California State Parks invites trail users to review and discuss proposed realignments and improvements to trails in the Osborn Hill area of Empire Mine State Historic Park.

WHEN: Saturday, October 27 in the Docent Building. Come to the main visitor parking lot and into the mine yard. The Docent Building backs up to the parking lot. Open House: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. Maps and information will be available for viewing. Workshop: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Presentation and Q & A.
Hike: 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Hike participants meet at the Penn Gate parking lot at 2 p.m. Participants
must arrive with good walking or hiking shoes, a water bottle and appropriate protection from the weather. Rain will cancel the hike.

WHY: Portions of the Osborn Hill trail network were closed in January based on environmental
sampling data showing elevated levels of arsenic and lead. These metals are naturally
occurring, often in areas where gold is found, and may have been brought to the surface
during historic gold mining.

California State Parks and Newmont USA Ltd. are working to address the environmental
issues. California State Park is examining a plan to re-open closed areas to the public while
remaining protective of public health. Proposed new trail routes are being tested for metal
concentrations. Unlike most existing trails in the park that are former mining roads, the new
trails will be carefully designed and graded so as to resist erosion, allow better water
drainage and withstand heavier recreational use.

Trail users are encouraged to provide their input on trail improvements in the Osborn Hill area
during this planning stage. For more information, please contact the Visitor Center at (530) 273-8522.

Narrow Gauge/Tressel Trail Work Day

From the Gold Country Trails Council: Volunteers needed to complete this important project!

Gold Country Trails Council - Saturday, October 20, 2007 Meet at Skillman Campground (13 miles east of Nevada City off Highway 20) at 9 a.m. We will carpool from Skillman to the work site and be finished by 1 p.m.

We will be completing the re-route of the Narrow Gauge/Tressel Trail. Please bring loppers, rakes and shovels. Bring drinking water and a lunch.

Per Forest Service requirements, long sleeve shirts and pant and close-toed shoes are required; please wear gloves. Hope to see you there!

BONC Website Wins Award

The BONC website won an award from American Trails for its Trail Guide page. The award was in the category of "TRAIL TOUR or virtual visit". Learn more.

According to American Trails: "We looked for sites that really make trails come alive, and provide effective information delivery, support volunteers, and engage the public. In short, we want to showcase ways that advocates and agencies are making a difference for trails."

The BONC Trail Guide page "uses Google Maps and Earth to depict trails in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains".

Lots of Trail Days Coming Up

Want to help make local trails second-to-none? Consider participating in these events:

Bullard's Bar, 10/14 - Please join us as we help improve this exceptional trail system with the Forest Service. We'll have some swag for participants, food, drink and quality beer. I am sure some of us will ride afterwards. Meet @ 9AM (note the time) on Sunday, 10/14 at the Dark Day boat launch. If bad weather occurs, please call 530-274-DIRT after 7:00AM on 10/14 to determine if the event will be rescheduled. Map of the Dark Day boat launch.

Old Airport, 11/3 - Please join the Miners high school mountain bike team as we revive the trails around the old airport in Nevada City. This is your chance to add to local riding so close to town. Meet at 9AM at the old airport parking lot. To get there, head up Airport Road (see map link below). If bad weather occurs, please call 530-274-DIRT after 7:00AM on 11/3 to determine if the event will be rescheduled. Map.

Round Mountain - The BLM has asked for approximately three volunteers to help install no-moto signs on trailheads at Round Mountain in October. This should be a short time commitment. Please respond to me if you are interested.