Don't build jumps on the Leverich DH!

We recently heard the following from the forest service in reference to the jump pictured:

We need to get the word out that this is not acceptable on the
main Leverich route. We have talked about doing something like this on
spur, off shoot parts of the trail, but need to have further discussions
with the Bozeman Ranger on some of this before any work is done.

Here's the deal on the trails as far as I know it from the two meetings I attended with the Forest Service with Greg and Jason and the extremely large number of emails that bounced around between everyone:

The big picture goal is an uphill trail and a downhill trail on either side of the canyon where the two new trails are. We were pushing for the "downhill only" designation, but that isn't something that can just be declared by the people we were meeting with. With that in mind, the western "downhill" trail was mapped and routed with an eye towards being a good downhill on a bike, and the "uphill" (eastern) route as a good climbing route. What it will take to get the "downhill" trail designated as such is still up in the air. Until then, both trails are multi-use, with an emphasis on mountain biking. We are going to try and get a sign up there very soon that recommends the uphill (and hiking)route and downhill route as such.

The amount of enthusiasm and work that this trail has been greeted with is more then I would have hoped for. We just need to keep it harnessed enough that we don't ruin our currently good relationship with forest service and jeopardize any further help from them. Everyone should know that they came to us with money to do this trail because bikers are the primary designated users of Leverich canyon. It's not cheap to cut a trail with an excavator like that. They are helping us out a lot, and in turn we need to play by their rules. This is not mountain bikers getting discriminated against. It's a huge step for us in the right direction.

This was cross posted from MTBR. Call me names if you want.

They also were not happy about these water bars being pulled off the old trail, they are needed to stop erosion on it so it can be reclaimed by the forest.

North Cottonwood

I went for walk up North Cottonwood this evening. If you can handle the rocks, it's in really good shape for riding. The first mile or so through private land is dry, and once you get to the public land the trail is frozen, so that's effectively dry, too.
One of the most stunning views of the valley is up there too. Good times. But not easy.

-DNA

Anything dry(ish)

Anyone been up Sypes or Leverich today?

National Park Service Changes Stance on Cycling

A proposed National Park Service (NPS) regulation change will benefit Americans by improving mountain biking experiences in national parks. The new policy would empower park superintendents to manage trails for bicycles, without sacrificing environmental review or public comment opportunities.

"Bicycling is a good fit for many national parks. It's a quiet, low-impact, family-friendly activity that provides a great way to get adults and kids excited about exploring America's most scenic places," says IMBA Executive Director Mike Van Abel. "We're very pleased that the NPS intends to update its regulations to better serve visitors."

IMBA looks forward to an upcoming NPS announcement on the pending regulation change, and the ensuing public commentary period. Stay tuned to IMBA's website for additional news, and to register your comments with the NPS.

Bicycling Helps National Parks

Expanded opportunities for mountain biking can help energize national parks by attracting new visitors - particularly young ones. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, bicycling is the top gateway activity that gets kids outside and engaged in a variety of outdoor sports.

"Visitation numbers are a concern to the park service at all levels and something we are working with our many tourism partners such as IMBA to address. Having worked with mountain bikers on public lands at gateway communities, I know what a great economic impact they can have on a small town," said NPS National Tourism Director Dean Reeder. "In my experience, we can sustain a balance between resource conservation and appropriate, healthy recreational opportunities such as mountain biking.

Mountain bicycling on appropriate trails in national parks will also enhance visitors' appreciation for the natural world, as parks are better experienced on foot and by bicycle than from inside cars and RVs. Independent scientific studies, including those conducted by the National Park Service, have shown the environmental impacts of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking and less than those of many other user groups.

IMBA's Partnership With National Park Service

Since signing a formal partnership agreement in 2005, IMBA and the NPS have been working together to create and enhance appropriate opportunities for mountain bicycling in national parks. Currently, more than 40 NPS properties host mountain bicycling, on both dirt roads and narrow trails. Each year IMBA leads volunteer work parties to help improve eroded trails and unite trails communities around national parks. Annually, mountain bicyclists contribute almost one million hours of volunteer trailwork on public lands.

"Mountain bicycling is an appropriate activity in many units of the National Park System," says Christopher J. Stubbs, a NPS community planner in Virginia. "I have seen firsthand what bike trails can do for a park. IMBA's folks know how to build sustainable, environmentally sound trails that bring all user groups together. I see a huge potential for bringing a new generation of mountain bicyclists into the park system."

IMBA Has Requested Rule Change for Years

The current policy governing bicycling on NPS trails dates from 1986, and does not account for more than 20 years of research and experience managing bicycling on trails on public lands. The outdated rule is directed at motorized users such as personal watercraft, motorboats, snowmobiles, ORVs and commercial trucking, mining and aircraft. Regulation changes will streamline an overly cumbersome process, while maintaining all review and comment required under the National Environmental Policy Act.

"IMBA first began asking the agency to clarify and streamline this rule in 1992, when IMBA Executive Director Tim Blumenthal met with [then] NPS Director James Ridenour on the subject," says Van Abel. "We hope to see the process for recognizing mountain bike trails will now become more clear and efficient."

History Rock to South Cottonwood

Yesterday (Sunday Oct 19) we rode the History Rock to South Cottonwood shuttle. Conditions were all-in-all pretty decent. Since you can choose either trail as a single ride, I'll split them up.

I had my doubts upon leaving the H.R. trailhead, as there was snow immediately for the first 20 yards or so. The rest of the History Rock trail however, was decent 75% of the time, with 15% being a bit too muddy to ride responsibly and the other 10% being covered in a few inches of snow near the top. Give this trail a few days of dry and it should be tire-gripping tackiness from the meadow down.

Once you reach the sign at the top of the two trails, the snow drops away completely. I cannot recall seeing any snow on the entire South Cottonwood side. There is - to say, quite a bit of evidence of recent snow cover. I would say it is 50-60% wet. Still fun, but if we had not needed to get the shuttle motorcycle at the South Cottonwood trailhead, I would not have stayed off for a few days to maintain trail steward status.

If the weather outlook that I am currently looking at is correct (rain Tuesday, nice beyond that) either trail will likely be IN by the weekend. Definitely recommended for the upcoming weekend, just be back in town by 5:30 on Saturday.

Happy Trails!

Garnet Mountain trail

Assuming anyone reads this, Garnet mountain is in decent shape, if you keep with it through the big snow patch you are rewarded with more dry trail once it starts facing south again. We went up to the junction with the ATV trail, you could probably ride to the top from there without hitting any more snow.

Any one else get out riding around here lately?

Leverich Work Day

from Greg Beardslee:

"NEW DH Trail/Elevator Shaft Reroute in Progress

MANY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

TRAIL WORK DAY, SAT. OCT. 4 9 AM - ?

MEET AT LEVERICH TRAILHEAD

BRING TOOLS IF POSSIBLE – PULASKIS, RAKES, MCLEODS, CHAINSAWS, PLASTIC BUCKETS, SHOVELS, LUNCH, WATER, RAINJACKET, AND WORK GLOVES ETC.

FREE BEER

Trail update – The Forest Service has excavated a new trail using portions of the elevator shaft. Volunteers are needed to cut roots, pack dirt and contour the trail. Once this work is completed we can focus on trail flow, berms, and jumps. This will be the first official mountain bike/DH trail in the Gallatin National Forest.

If the weather is real bad, don’t show up, OK?" -Greg

As if you needed any more encouragement than being part of our first real DH trail, there is Free Beer.

-DNA

p.s. Free Beer