New Trails
The DMBTA designed two new trails for the BLM this past fall. Construction was scheduled to be completed this winter, but was delayed due to the snow and heavy rain we received. Fortunately, this was only a minor setback and we are happy to announce that not only are the trails open, but the tread has been compacted and the trails are as fun as we had hoped they would be.
The two new trails are Cryptobionic and Goose Bumps. These were designed as connector trails to allow for more variety in looping the JEM and the Hurricane Rim together. Goosebumps splits off of the JEM just after you emerge from the wash and hugs the mesa as it meanders its way to the water tank at the top of the unnamed singletrack. About half way through Goosebumps, Cryptobionic splits off and heads downhill. It hits Sheep Bridge Road where you re-connect with the JEM for a short distance. Cryptobionic splits off once again and heads to the bathrooms at the Hurricane Rim trailhead.
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/st__george/recreation/trails/hurricane_cliffs_trail.html
We are excited about these two trails and are working to bring you more singletrack in the future.
Gooseberry Trail Work Day
The DMBTA did its annual trimming of Gooseberry Mesa this past March. The trees and bushes on the mesa slowly overtake the trail. Each year the DMBTA goes out and trims things back so that you can ride the Goose without slamming into tree branches or being scratched up by scrub oak.
Clayton organized this trail day and we had plenty of people show up for us to split into multiple groups. Each group took a section of trail. It took each group about three hours to complete their portion, but we are happy with the results.
Zen Trail Work Day
DMBTA, in conjunction with the local high school mountain biking team The Flying Monkeys, had a trail work day on Zen at the end of March. Kenny organized the event and guided the Monkeys around the Zen. They worked to clear loose rocks, maintain the single track lines that we all love and ensure that the trail stays rideable.
Travel Management Plan
The DMBTA was originally organized as a direct response to the announcement of the BLM’s travel management planning process. As we have mentioned, mountain bikers run the risk of losing single track as part of this process or, if we play it right, have the chance of gaining significant access and additional trails. This will all be determined this fall as the public comment period of the process begins. Essentially, the BLM has logged each and every trail and road in Washington County. They have also logged countless miles of proposed trails and routes. The entire county has been divided into several areas. Each area will have three options. A limited option where many trails are closed. A compromise or middle option that will see some closures. And the third option that opens up trails to motorized users. It will be our task to ensure that the BLM receives more comments from the mountain biking community than any other user group to ensure that we don’t lose any trails and hopefully gain the possible 200+ miles of proposed trails.
We strongly suggest you check back here for updates and follow us on Facebook as we post more regularly there, https://www.facebook.com/DMBTA.
