Quantcast

Affiliates:

New West

Author Archive

Thank You Croy Trail Builders

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

7-30-08-rtn-work-session-7-small.JPG The one-mile loop trail that volunteers, the BLM, and the Forest Service have been working on in Croy Canyon is complete.  Thank you volunteers for all your hard work and dedication to this project.  Here is a list of the volunteers:

Randy Ashton, Greg Bearce, Todd Byle, Todd Carrier, Gusty Catherin, Cash Dart, Cooper Dart, Hank Dart, Jeff Davis, Melanie Davis, Chip Deffe’, Alex Floyd, Sean Flynn, Nate Galpin, Chris Gardner, Paul Gerew, Trent Gerew, Brandon Glanville, Mike Graham, Andy Harding, Hans Heaphy, Pete Heaphy, Dan Henry, Kasey Hochmuht, Chris Kastner, Chris Leman, Laurie Leman, Adrienne Leugers, Robyn Marrelli, Kim McCammon, Pat McConnell, Kelly McGarry, Julie McGregor, John McGrew, Bill Olson, Greg Randolph, Lola Randolph, Luma Randolph, Eric Rector, Wendy Rector, Leigh Ann Sandal, Jim Santa, Rob Santa, Nate Scales, Gabe Schroder, John Sproule, Amanda Steier, Mike Stevens, Megan Stevenson, Steve Thompson, Bas Verheijen, Ethan Zerba, Travis Zerba, and Twyla.

Thank you to the BLM Shoshone Field Office Recreation staff - especially John Kurtz and Mike Setlock for all of the planning, labor, and supervision you put into the trail building effort.  Thanks also to the BLM Shoshone Field Office Fire Crew for all the work you put into the construction of the trail.  The hard work of the Ketchum Ranger District Trail Crew was a big help - thank you Renee Catherin, Andrew Elliason, and Matt Walter.

Thank you to the businesses and organizations who hosted work sessions and rallied the troops.

Sun Summit South, Work Session Four on Wednesday, August 13.

Smith Optics, Work Session Five on Wednesday, August 27.

BLM Shoshone Field Office, Work Session Seven on Wednesday, September 10.

Sturtos/Sturtevants, Work Session Nine on Wednesday, September 24.

The volunteers who worked on the trail had their names entered into a prize drawing at our end of the season “Thank You Volunteers” barbecue (Thanks for the delicious lamb Mike Stevens/Lava Lake Lamb.  Thanks Chip Atkinson and Atkinson’s Markets for the salads and cookies).  Here’s a list of the raffle winners:

Paul Gerew won a DaKine Hydration pack donated by Sun Summit South.

Mike Stevens won a Bell Mountain Bike Helmet form Sturtevants.

Wendy Rector won a Blackburn Airfix CO2 Inflator and Multitool from Powerhouse.

Hank Dart won a CK’s Real Food long-sleeved wool jersey compliments of CK’s.

Sean Flynn, Hans Heaphy, John Sproule, Leigh Ann Sandal, Greg Bearce, and Chris Leman won sunglasses from Smith Optics.

Alex Floyd won a gift certificate from de Vine.

Hank Dart won a KB’s gift certificate.

Chris Gardner won a gift certificate from Big Belly Deli.

Cash Dart won a Zaney’s gift certificate.

Travis Zerba won a Zaney’s gift certificate.

_____________________________________

Trail Construction Stats:

- 14 work events

- 412 hours of labor (223 volunteer and 162 BLM and USFS)

- 71 trail builders (54 volunteers, 14 BLM, 3 USFS)

__________________________________________

Enjoy the trail and we’ll see you next spring for more construction of the Croy Trail Network.

Thanks everyone!

Trail Open - Orientation and Barbecue Saturday

Friday, October 17th, 2008

cctn-design-with-kurtz-and-vol-work-8-27-08-33-small.JPG

The one-mile loop trail that volunteers, the BLM, and the Forest Service have been working on in Croy Canyon is complete.  The public is invited to enjoy the trail.

BLM Recreation Planner John Kurtz and Big Wood Backcountry Trails volunteer Chris Leman will be leading a “Trail Orientation” event this Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m to 12 p.m.  The purpose of the orientation is to provide the public with an opportunity to check out the new trail, ask questions, and receive information about the trail network that this new trail will be a small part of.

A barbecue follows starting at 12:30 p.m.  The barbecue will be held at the nearby Croy Trailhead.  The purpose of the barbecue is to celebrate our valley’s great trail resources and to thank the many people who work as volunteers on the local dirt.  Everyone is invited.  A special prize drawing will be held for the volunteers who labored on the building of the new trail.

To attend the trail orientation simply show up at the end of Rodeo Drive anytime between 10 and noon on Saturday.  (Rodeo Drive is about 2 miles west of Hailey - on the right.  It’s the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill.)

To attend the barbecue follow Croy Creek Road for about 3 miles (head west from Hailey) to the Croy Trailhead on the right.

For more information contact Chris Leman at 721-1691 or goodtrails@gmail.com.

Saturday Trail Building and BBQ Postponed Due to Weather

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

Today’s volunteer trail construction event on the Croy Trails, and the “Thank You Volunteers” barbecue at Heagle Park, have been postponed due to the wet weather.  Please stay tuned for updates on this SunValleyOnline blog site, or by tuning in to the Big Wood Backcountry Trails web site at bwbt.org.  Please contact Chris Leman at 208/721-1691 or goodtrails@gmail.com for additional information.

THANKS STURTOS!

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

melanie-davis-and-jeffery-davis-at-croy-trails-work-night-sturtos-work-night-9-24-08.JPG Melanie and Jeff Davis take a breath between swings - 9 24 08.

Once again the good folks at Sturtevants have kicked in for the trails.  Last Wednesday night’s trail building work session on Hailey’s Croy Trails was sponsored by Sturtos and Sturtevants and many of the volunteers were associated with those stores.

Here is a list of the dirt slingers:

Jeff “Double-track” Davis

Melanie “Mini Dozer” Davis

Eric “Excavator” Rector

Wendy “Wheelbarrow” Rector

Todd “Chainsaw” Carrier

Rob “Single-track” Santa

Todd “Technical Feature” Byle

Jim “Sledgehammer” Santa

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!

The last volunteer work event for the season will take place this Saturday, October 4th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  (Please meet at the end of Rodeo Drive - the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill.)  A barbecue and prize drawing at Hailey’s Heagle Park will follow the work session.  Anyone who contributed to this season’s construction efforts is invited to the barbecue.  Volunteers will have their names entered into a prize drawing; once for each of the work parties they attended.  The barbecue starts at 1:30 p.m.

For more information contact Chris Leman at 208 721-1691 or goodtrails@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed - trail construction west of Hailey

Sunday, September 21st, 2008

 cctn-design-with-kurtz-and-vol-work-8-27-08-36-small.JPG

Volunteers are needed for the next trail building session in Croy Canyon this Wednesday, September 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  (This is the last scheduled Wednesday evening Croy Trail Network construction work event for the 2008 season.  There is one Saturday morning session scheduled for October 4th.)  Meet at the end of Rodeo Drive - the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill.

Wear sturdy footwear, eye protection, and work gloves. Long pants and a long sleeved shirt are recommended. Please leave dogs at home.

Last weeks workers included John Sproule, John McGrew, Chris Leman, John Kurtz, and Mike Setlock.

On Saturday, October 4th we will hold a morning work session on the trail and then retire to Heagle Park in Hailey for a barbecue celebration for all of the volunteers (and their families) who have been involved in this seasons work on the Croy Trail Network.  Delicious food, delightful beverages, and a fabulous raffle will be featured at the barbecue.

Hope to see you at this week’s trail construction party - Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at the end of Rodeo Drive.

Thank you to Sturtos for sponsoring this week’s trail building event!

cctn-design-with-kurtz-and-vol-work-8-27-08-31-small.JPG

Help Build Croy Trail Network Wed. Night

Sunday, September 14th, 2008

Please come out and lend a hand in the building of the Croy Trail Network.

cctn-vols-9-10-08-1-small.JPGMike and Twyla building trail last Wednesday evening.

Volunteers are needed for the next trail building session in Croy Canyon this Wednesday, September 17th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Meet at the end of Rodeo Drive (Rodeo Dr. is the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill).

Wear sturdy footwear, eye protection, and work gloves. Long pants and a long sleeved shirt are recommended. Please leave dogs at home.

Last weeks workers included John Kurtz, Mike Setlock, Laurie Leman, Chris Leman, John Sproule, John McGrew, Twyla, Mike Stevens, Dan Henry, and Brandon Glanville. Thank you!

kurtz-shot-of-laurie-on-croy-trails-work-night-9-10-08-small.JPG Laurie out front cutting sage.

On Saturday, October 4th we will be having a barbecue for all of the trail construction volunteers and their families. Delicious food, delightful beverages, and a fabulous raffle will be featured at the barbecue.

Hope to see you at this week’s trail construction party - Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at the end of Rodeo Drive.

powerhouse-august-08-small.JPG Hats off to Billy Olson and Powerhouse Bike Fit Studio for sponsoring this week’s trail building event!


Wednesday Night Trail Building - Free t-shirt or Federal Agency Pass

Sunday, September 7th, 2008

Please come out and lend a hand in the building of the Croy Trail Network.croy-trails-work-night-9-3-08-1-small.JPGVolunteers are needed for the next trail building session in Croy Canyon this Wednesday, September 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet at the end of Rodeo Drive (Rodeo is the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill).

The BLM Shoshone Field Office is sponsoring this week’s trail building event. Each participant will receive a free Federal Agency Pass or tee shirt from the BLM (a Federal Agency Pass is good for one admission to any Federal facility - National Park, Recreation Area, Wildlife Refuge…).

Wear sturdy footwear, eye protection, and work gloves. Long pants help keep the dirt out of your boots and some people appreciate the protection a long sleeved shirt provides. Please leave dogs at home. Tools, instruction, Gatorade, and drinking water will be provided.

Last weeks workers included: Cash Dart, Cooper Dart, Hank Dart, Dan Henry, John Kurtz, Chris Leman, John McGrew, John Sproule, and Twyla. Way to go vols!

8_13_08_nate_scales_on_left_and_mike_stevens_on_right-small.JPG

On Saturday, October 4th we will be having a barbecue for all of the trail construction volunteers and their families. Thanks to Mike Stevens at Lava Lake Lamb we will have barbecued lamb headlining the menu. (We’d also like to thank Mike for all the labor he has donated to our ongoing trail building efforts - he’s been one of our most consistent volunteers!) We’ll have other delightful food at the barbecue, beer and beverages, and a fabulous raffle where each volunteer will receive one raffle ticket for each trail construction event they participated in.

Hope to see you at this week’s trail construction party - Wednesday, 6 p.m. at the end of Rodeo Drive.

8-13-08-rtn-work-night-4-with-sun-summit-south-20-small.JPG

Thank You Volunteers from Smith Optics and BWBT

Monday, September 1st, 2008

Each Wednesday volunteers gather to work on the construction of a new trail west of Hailey. Last Wednesday’s work session was bolstered by volunteers from Smith Optics and Big Wood Backcountry Trails.

cctn-design-with-kurtz-and-vol-work-8-27-08-36-small.JPG
A group shot that includes some of the volunteers who participated in last Wednesday’s trail construction project in Croy Canyon.

Last week’s work party totaled twenty-three: Mike Graham, Hank Dart, Cooper Dart, Cash Dart, Gabe Schroder, Pat McConnell, Twyla, Robyn Marrelli, Greg Randolph, Luma Randolf, Lola Randolph, Renee Catherin, Gusty Catherin, Andrew Elliason, Matt Walter, Kelly McGarry, Kim McCammon, Julie McGregor, Leigh Ann Sandle, John Kurtz, Chris Leman, John Sproule, and Dan Henry. Thank you everyone for your great attitudes and hard work.

The next opportunity to volunteer comes this Wednesday, September 3rd from 6 to 8 p.m. Meet at the end of Rodeo Drive (the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill). No previous experience is necessary – tools and instruction will be provided. Wear sturdy footwear, long pants, a long sleeved shirt, and eye protection. Bring water and work gloves. Please leave dogs at home.

cctn-design-with-kurtz-and-vol-work-8-27-08-4-small.JPG
Before

cctn-design-with-kurtz-and-vol-work-8-27-08-16-small.JPG
After.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to get in touch with the event organizer, Chris Leman (208/721-1691 or goodtrails@gmail.com), so that he can make sure that enough tools are made available.

For online information about the Croy Creek Trail Network (formerly known as the Rotarun Trail Network) and other trail planning efforts in our area visit the BLM’s website and/or Blaine County’s web site. Here are a couple of links:

Croy Creek Trail Network

Blaine County’s web site

For information about our local dirt trails, or about local trail advocacy efforts, please visit the Big Wood Backcountry Trails web site at bwbt.org.

County taking comment on proposed road closures

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

The Blaine County Commissioners are seeking input on a BLM proposal to close the upper reaches of Democrat, Bullion, Red Elephant, and Kelly Gulch roads. The higher reaches of these roads are no longer maintained or they access private property where there are no appropriate areas to park or turn around. Proposed parking areas have been identified for each road. Motorized traffic would not be allowed beyond these closure points.

The Commissioners are seeking input on the proposals for a public hearing scheduled for September 24th at 6:00pm at the Old Blaine County Courthouse. Maps of the closure points, with GPS coordinates and photos are available online at www.blainecounty.org or in person at the courthouse, top floor.

The Commissioners are encouraging people to visit the areas in order to make sound comments at the meeting on the 24th. There are signs at each key point along the roads to assist the public in locating the proposed parking areas and closure points. These points are not cast in stone but provide a starting point for discussion.

When considering alternatives to the proposal, remember that parking areas should not be on private or State lands, that they should not be within the creek floodway, and that there is adequate room for parking and turning.

After the public hearings, and considering modifications of the proposal, Blaine County will make a formal recommendation to the BLM for them to consider for their recreation and travel planning. The County itself does not have the authority to close the roads.

You may also submit comments to County Commissioner Chairman,Tom Bowman at tbowman@co.blaine.id.us or by mail at 206 First Avenue South, Suite 300, Hailey Idaho 83333.

Burning Turns

Monday, August 25th, 2008

web.jpg

Please join us at the Coffee Grinder in Ketchum this Thursday, August 28th, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for photographer Gene Dwarkin’s exhibit “The Reclamation Project.” Dwarkin’s work is striking in its depiction of skiers Jeff Mintz, Zach Crist, and Reggie Crist skiing powder through the remains of the Castle Rock Fire. The contrast between the snow and the burned landscape is striking. Dwarkin captures the fluid style and explosive energy of the world-class skiers against the dramatic backdrop of the blackened forest.

Please come to the Grinder this Thursday to enjoy a barbeque, drinks, music, and the artistry of Gene Dwarkin. Proceeds from the sale of the limited edition images will benefit your local trail-user coalition Big Wood Backcountry Trails.

Visit genedwarkin.com to view the exhibit.

Mountain Adventure Tours and BWBT Team Up

Sunday, August 24th, 2008

Mathew Gershater runs a summer adventure camp for kids called Mountain Adventure Tours. The program seeks to educate children by providing an exciting environment in which to learn about the natural world and our community. A cornerstone of the program is Gershater’s belief that children learn best by “doing”.

Last week, Mat and eleven of his older age-group campers, teamed up with Big Wood Backcountry Trails volunteer Chris Leman to help with some Castle Rock Fire clean-up. The group worked in Greenhorn’s Cow Creek drainage. The volunteers cleaned up the burned remains of a water trough.8-19-08-cow-creek-trough-with-mat-small.JPG
Mountain Adventure Tours volunteers Kathleen Bonanni, Kai Howe, Lily Gillespie, Sage Howe, Connor Coffey, Cameron Coffey, Walker Ward, Bo Curry, Mat Gershater, Chris Lentz, Hunter Dean, Thomas Gillespie.

8-19-08-cow-creek-trough-with-mat-12-small.JPG
M.A.T. participant Hunter Dean hauls out a load of melted plastic pipe. Hunter’s expression points to the high spirits and go-get-’em attitudes the campers brought to their work.

8-19-08-cow-creek-trough-with-mat-13-small.JPG
The nine to 14 year olds hauled out about 200 lbs of trailside waste.

This Week’s Wednesday Trail Construction Session is from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sunday, August 24th, 2008

8_13_08_rtn_travis_zerba_and_son_ethan_zerba-small.JPG
Travis and Ethan Zerba working to build the Croy Creek Trail Network.

VOLUNTEER TRAIL BUILDERS - please note that this Wednesday’s volunteer trail construction session will take place in the afternoon from 3 to 6 p.m.

WHAT: Help build a trail that you’ll enjoy for years to come!

WHO: Anyone who wants to help with this great project - we have tasks for people who want to do a little or a lot. (Smith Optics is rallying volunteers for this week’s event, so come out and join in the effort to make this an extra productive session!)

WHERE: About 2.5 miles west of Hailey - out Croy Canyon. Meet at the end of Rodeo Drive (the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill).

WHEN: This Wednesday, August 27, from 3 to 6 p.m.

WHY: Its fun work with nice people. (Plus - All the volunteers and their families are invited to a “Thank You Barbecue” on Saturday, Oct 4th at Heagle Park in Hailey. Food, beverages, and raffle prizes!)

No previous experience necessary - tools and instruction will be provided. Wear sturdy footwear, long pants, long sleeved shirts, and eye protection. Bring water and work gloves. Please leave dogs at home.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to get in touch with the event organizer, Chris Leman (208/721-1691 - goodtrails@gmail.com), so that he can make sure that enough tools are made available.

For online information about the Croy Creek Trail Network (formerly known as the Rotarun Trail Network) and other trail planning efforts in our area visit the BLM’s website and/or Blaine County’s web site. Here are a couple of links:

Croy Creek Trail Network

Blaine County’s web site

8_13_08_rtn_megan_stevenson_on_left_and_adrienne_leugers_on_right-small.JPGMegan Stevenson and Adrienne Leugers having fun building the trail.

Volunteer trail construction efforts going strong

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

NO WORK SESSION THIS WEDNESDAY - NEXT WORK SESSION IN TWO WEEKS - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27
8-13-08-rtn-work-night-4-with-sun-summit-south-21-small.JPG
Sun Summit South owner Chip Deffe’ working with a few friends on the construction of a trail in Croy Canyon - Wednesday evening, 8 13 08.

Volunteers with Sun Summit South and Big Wood Backcountry Trails made progress on trail construction in Croy Canyon last Wednesday. The volunteers are working with the BLM to build 2.5 miles of authorized trails this summer and fall. The trails under construction are part of an 18-mile long system called the Rotarun Trail Network.

8-13-08-rtn-work-night-4-with-sun-summit-south-17-small.JPG
Megan Stevenson and Adrienne Leugers were hard at work.

The volunteers included: Chris Leman, Travis Zerba, Ethan Zerba, Megan Stevenson, Adrienne Leugers, Nate Scales, John Sproule, Hank Dart, Sean Flynn, Mike Stevens, John McGrew, Steve Thompson, and Chip Deffe’. The BLM’s John Kurtz and Mike Setlock rounded out the work session participants.

8_13_08_nate_scales_on_left_and_mike_stevens_on_right-small.JPG
Nate Scales and Mike Stevens building trail through a short section of scree.

8-13-08-rtn-work-night-4-with-sun-summit-south-18-small.JPG
John Sproule hasn’t missed a session!

8-13-08-rtn-work-night-4-with-sun-summit-south-15-small.JPG
Travis and Ethan Zerba at work on the trail.

We will not be working on the trail this Wednesday night, but we will work on the trail the following Wednesday, August 27th. Smith Optics is rallying volunteers for the event on the 27th, so come out and help make it a really successful evening. If you can attend, please Email me (Chris Leman - goodtrails@gmail.com) or drop a comment in the space provided below - I’d like to get a head count to make sure enough tools are provided.

We will meet at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 27, at the end of Rodeo Drive for the two-hour long work event. (Rodeo Drive is the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill.) Wear sturdy footwear, long pants, long sleeved shirts, and eye protection. Bring water and work gloves. Please leave dogs at home.

A barbecue is being planned for all of the RTN construction participants. This celebration for the volunteers and their families will take place on Saturday, October 4th. Details to be announced.

Teaming up to build trails

Sunday, August 10th, 2008

8-6-08-rtn-vol-work-night-7-small.JPG
Hank Dart, Todd Byle, and John Kurtz at work on the Rotarun Trail Network last Wednesday night.

Area businesses and the trail advocacy group Big Wood Backcountry Trails are working together to bring more volunteers to the effort to build mid-valley trails. BWBT is inviting local businesses to get more involved in the hands-on construction of the BLM’s Rotarun Trail Network (RTN).

The RTN is a new system of trails being put in west of Hailey on BLM land and private property in Croy Canyon. The network of dirt trails will be 18 miles long when completed. Three miles of the system will be on existing dirt roads between Democrat Gulch and the unnamed drainage to the west of Bullion Gulch. The remaining 15 miles of trails will be single-track dirt trails. The trails built to the west of Rotarun will be for both motorized and non-motorized use - the trails to the east of Rotarun will be non-motorized.

The Hailey bike shop Sun Summit South is stepping up to help with the construction this Wednesday evening. Chip Deffe’, owner of the shop, has been a longtime advocate for more mid-valley dirt trails. Chip, his employees, and his patrons have often given their time and talents to working on trail projects up and down the valley. Now the people associated with Sun Summit South are pitching in with help on the 2.5 miles of RTN trails that will be hand-built.

Sturtevants and Smith Optics have also expressed an interest in getting involved in bringing volunteers to the construction of the Rotarun Trail Network. Please get in touch with BWBT Director Chris Leman if your business or group would like to pitch in with the volunteer trail building efforts. He can be reached at (208) 721-1691 or goodtrails@gmail.com.

Volunteers are being asked to meet at the end of Rodeo Drive (the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Hill) at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night, August 13, for a two-hour trail construction work session. Wear sturdy footwear, long pants, long sleeved shirts, and eye protection. Bring water and work gloves. Please leave dogs at home. Volunteers should call or email BWBT’s Chris Leman (208/721-1691, goodtrails@gmail.com) so that he can get a pre-event head count - so that ample tools can be provided for.

A barbecue is being planned for all of the RTN construction participants. This celebration for the volunteers and their families will take place on Saturday, October 4th.

8-6-08-rtn-vol-work-night-3-small.JPG
Hans Heaphy, Pete Heaphy, and Dan Henry working on a section of the BLM’s Rotarun Trail network.

TRAIL INFORMATION FROM BWBT - AUGUST 4, 2008

Sunday, August 3rd, 2008

PLEASE SLOW DOWN THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS

3-24-07-trail-closure-work-14-small.JPG

Getting to some area trailheads may involve a bit of driving. Please consider the safety and peace of the neighborhoods you travel through. Obey speed limits and watch carefully for pedestrians, children, and dogs. The small town of Triumph, out East Fork Road, has been experiencing a lot of speeding drivers. Please take it easy through Triumph and in all of the residential areas you pass through.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CONTINUING TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

7-30-08-rtn-work-session-6-small.JPG
From left - Volunteers Randy Ashton, Pete Heaphy, and Nate Galpin work on a new section of trail in Croy Canyon last Wednesday evening, 7 30 08.

Big Wood Backcountry Trails is working in cooperation with the BLM Shoshone Field Office on the construction of an 18-mile long system of trails known as the Rotarun Trail Network. The network will include 15 miles of dirt single-track trails, and 3 miles of existing roads. Volunteers using hand tools will build two and one-half miles of the network, and the other 12.5 miles of trails will be machine-built by a contractor.

Volunteers are needed for the project, which will be an ongoing effort through the summer. Wednesday nights will see volunteers working on the construction project from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - meet at the end of Rodeo Drive (the road that accesses the Rotarun Ski Area). Bring work gloves, eye protection, and water. Everyone should wear sturdy shoes or boots - long sleeved shirts and long pants are highly recommended. No dogs please.

Last Wednesday’s effort involved twelve volunteers including Paul Gerew, Trent Gerew, Mike Stevens, Pete Heaphy, Chris Gardener, John Sproule, Randy Ashton, Alex Floyd, Nate Galpin, Brandon Glanville, Dan Henry, and Chris Leman. BLM Recreation Planner John Kurtz and Recreation Specialist Mike Setlock were also hard at work.

Please come out and lend a hand. Volunteers are encouraged to get in touch with BWBT Director Chris Leman if they would like to help - to help insure that the group provides enough tools and post event refreshments for all of the participants. You can leave word with him by dropping a comment in the space provided below, email him at goodtrails@gmail.com, or phone Leman at 721-1691.

A barbecue and raffle are being planned as a way of thanking all the volunteers for their efforts on this project. The celebration is tentatively scheduled to take place in early October - about the time when the hand-built segment of trail is expected to be completed.

A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE HARD ON TRAILS

Some behavior is particularly hard on trails. Here are a couple of examples:

CUTTING SWITCHBACKS

8-3-08-conditions-on-river-run-tr-16-small.JPG
Cutting switchbacks is hard on trails because it tramples soil-holding vegetation and dislodges consolidated hillside-holding soil.

Repeated shortcutting of turns can lead to the failure of a trail.

Making a repair on a trail that has been damaged by shortcutting can be difficult and costly. Sometimes the trail needs to be closed and rerouted.

SKIDDING

Locking up your brakes and skidding your tires is hard on trails because it speeds up erosion and causes maintenance headaches. Skidding through turns breaks down consolidated soils and creates ruts that often get deeper and more difficult to negotiate over time.

The best recreational riders don’t skid through corners; they slow down in advance of turns and then feather their brakes as they deftly roll through the bend.

Locking brakes on the approach to corners often results in the creation of stutter bumps or “wash boarded” conditions, which make riding the trails less enjoyable.

BWBT MEETING THIS THURSDAY

meeting2-450-x-291.jpg

BWBT meets the first Thursday of each month. We typically alternate our meeting locations between the Community Campus in Hailey and the American Legion Hall in Ketchum. We are meeting in room 211 of the Community Campus this Thursday, August 5, 2008, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please come and add your thoughts to our discussions about the trails, or simply come and listen in if you prefer. Hope to see you there.

SIGNS AND FLAGGING MISSING

Some area trail signs have been going missing lately. The sign at the intersection of Adams Gulch Loop Trail 142 c and Trail 142 warning of a long descent, asking mountain bikers to avoid skidding, and to watch for hikers, has been removed.

7-21-08-fox-crk-loop-documentation-and-good-flwrs-3-small.JPGThe sign at the south end of the Fox Creek Loop telling people that the Fox Creek Loop Trail is a one-way trail for mountain bikers was removed (it has since been replaced.) Please leave all signs in place and help everyone stay informed as to our area rules and requests for cooperation.

Colored surveyors tape or “flagging” is used by the Forest Service and BWBT to mark area trails for maintenance to be performed by Forest Service crews and volunteers. Some maintenance instructions will need to be remarked because someone has removed some of the flagging (notes to workers) that was previously put in place. Please help us facilitate scheduled maintenance by leaving all flagging in place.

TRAILWEB.NET TREASURE HUNT

Sam Young, creator of the trail map resource TrailWeb.net, is offering a fun way to familiarize yourself with his online map resources while enjoying our local trails.

During the first three weeks of August recreational trail users will have the chance to win prizes by just enjoying the great outdoors!

The rules are simple. Each week a bag containing a prize code will be hidden just off one of the trails in the Wood River Valley. The location of the bag will be found on the local website, www.TrailWeb.net. Once on the website, go to the “Popular Areas” section of the site to find the location of the bag.

Here is a link to an article about the Trailweb.net Treasure Hunt: Trailweb.net Treasure Hunt.

BIG WOOD BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS

For information about your local trails and the trail-user coalition/trails advocacy group Big Wood Backcountry Trails visit the BWBT web site. Here is a link to the group’s site:

Big Wood Backcountry Trails