Where to Ride After Rain:

Church Rocks/Prospector/Dino Cliffs trails.

The Church Rocks trail system is composed of sandier soils. That means better drainage and less mud. However, whenever there is recent heavy rain, Church Rocks is off-limits as well. Use common sense and you’ll be fine!

Ride Dirt, Not Mud…Why We Close Bearclaw Poppy Trails.

Bearclaw Poppy and other area trails have high clay content. Even small amounts of rain turn the clay into sticky, heavy mud. Avoid riding these trails as you’ll damage the trails, your bike, and future access to these fragile areas.

During winter months, the trails in Washington County are vulnerable to the effects of water, snow and careless riders. Don’t get us wrong, we love hero dirt as much as anyone, however, there is a fine line between solid trail surfaces and peanut butter mud.

Even if it hasn’t rained recently, the daily freeze/thaw cycle in colder months turns frozen trails into quagmires.

Simply put, if mud or wet trail is sticking to your shoe or tire, you should turn around!

Also, when you encounter a muddy patch, don’t assume the rest of the trail will be any better. More often than not, it only gets worse and you should quit while you’re still ahead.

We’re not here to place blame, but simply to spread awareness and encourage everyone to be considerate trail users. After all, these are our trails, paid for largely by our donations, some tax dollars, and volunteer labor. It’s up to us to protect and sustain them for years to come.

Trail Threat #1: Ruts & Erosion

One response we commonly hear regarding riding wet trails is “they fix themselves” and “mountain bikes have plenty of suspension to deal with trail damage.”

No and no. Trail damage and erosion that occurs over time from proper use is a different beast than that which occurs as a result of abuse.

Once a rut is formed, it is only aggravated by further travel and water, requiring hours of labor to correct. Also, those berms and flow we crave so much are no match for running water which takes the path of least resistance. Ruts create low spots trapping moisture that would otherwise run off the slope, further deepening over time forming mini-canals that are perfect for grabbing your front tire and throwing you over the bars.

Want your trails looking like the Grand Canyon? Neither do we.

Above: Note the vertical channel in the center of this perfectly sculpted berm on the left. If not corrected, this will only worsen leading to massive ruts which make the trail unrideable as shown in the photo on the right.

Threat #2: Widening The Trail

When trails are wet, and ruts start to form, naturally people tend to ride around them, hence widening the singletrack path. One of the arguments against allowing mountain bikers access to trails is the damage they do to sensitive environments. This is especially true at Bearclaw Poppy, home to two endangered species.

In reality, when bikes are on a defined path, they cause very little impact. It’s only when riders start cutting corners, riding around wet spots, and forging their own path that such damage occurs. Keep singletrack single, and when you encounter wet bits of trail, please consider the potential consequences of riding off the trail around the mud. This is vital not only for trail sustainability but for ensuring our access as mountain bikers to trails for years to come.

Above: On the JEM trail, you can see the damage caused by people riding around muddy spots. What started as a singletrack trail, has now been widened from improper use. Remember to keep singletrack single.

Threat #3: Bike Damage

Your investment in that beautiful bike should influence your decision-making process as well! There is no quicker way to scratch your paint, ruin your drivetrain, and destroy brake pads, as well as shock, fork, and bearing seals than gunking them up with Utah’s finest clay.

Trails here quickly turn into a reddish/brown glue-like paste that finds its way into every crevice on your bike. While the photo below may seem drastic, it’s amazing how fast mud can build up, leaving your bike unrideable and 20 lbs. heavier as you carry it back to the car.

Unless you like shelling out an extra couple hundred bucks for new brake pads, chain, and seals, and enjoy spending your Saturday cleaning every nook and cranny on your bike instead of riding, stay off muddy trails and plan for the weather!

With that said, we know no one likes being told what to do, especially in nature, however, we do ask that you take responsibility for your actions and consider the potential impact you are having now and down the road. Think about it this way: the more time our trail crews have to spend repairing trails, the less time and effort they can allocate toward building new and improved trails.

Join Friends of the Claw!

Friends of the Claw is a group of concerned and engaged trail users committed to helping keep the Bear Claw Poppy trail system open for all to enjoy responsibly.

The BCP history, location, management and environment create a unique set of challenges, requiring a multi-faceted approach to protection, including:

• Education
• Signage
• Ambassadorship
• Maintenance

TASU is actively working with the BLM and Red Cliffs Desert Preserve to ensure that mountain bikers are represented in the decisions affecting BCP trails. We MUST be active in the fight. Boots on the ground, shovels in hand, and voices educating trail users are our weapons.

If you’d like to assist us in protecting the legacy of Bearclaw Poppy for current and future generations, consider becoming a Friend of the Claw!

For more information, contact TASU today!