More Big South Form GMP Stuff
Sam Poyner
I have put together a tentative letter for our (concerned mtn bikers) viewing. This letter should be able to give those of you not all together familiar with Big South Fork an idea of what is available and what we might lose if we don't make our needs known.
What do mountain bikers want at Big South Fork?
1). Challenging trails.
2). More singletrack.
3). A variety of trails that range from less challenging for families to very challenging backcountry trails with possibility of larger loops/
4) Quality trails that access the back country.
To attain these goals, my opinion is that we need to do the following;
1). Agree to the Grand Gap Loop shared trail use with the existing limitations placed on it with these amendments;
A). The idea of limited access is flawed due to the fact that we only have Monday - Friday access. This seems unfair in application, but noting that the Grand Gap loop is the one of the most popular trails in the park. Weekend access for a majority of the mountain bikers has my concerns. My understanding is that this is used heavily by the hikers. I also understand that the trail is technical and warrants extreme caution and good sense for hikers. It is the cliff rim trail over the Big South Fork river. The cliffs are over 300 ft. high. This trail may not be for the general biking mom and pop and kiddies
I did bring it to their attention that the limited access does not constitute a true experimental status trail. Enforcement on the weekends would needed, which is something not desired. I also noted that it would be frustrating for those of us that couldn't access this trail normally. This would be begging for an infraction, and seeing how it is the most popular trail in the park, hikers wouldn't hesitate to report infractions.
I would accept this proposition under these rules;
Make it necessary for bikers to check in with the park office to obtain and return a ride permit. This would serve 2 purposes; the ability for the park service to monitor use and provide actual statistics of use. Also information would be made available to the biker informing them of the technical aspects of the trail and its cautions. The permit could be a handle bar mounted type, highly visible, and returnable with a comment. This could be either turned in at a drop box or returned to the office.
Due to the abnormal use aspect of the experimental use for this trail, I feel it is possible that we could ask for 7 day a week access on at least 1 or 2 maybe more hiking trails. We need to have a good general use trail for riders not wanting challenging back country trails and that perhaps stay close the campground. This could offer the park the chance to see high use shared trail statistics. Requesting another challenging trail would offer the backcountry aspect of shared trail use.
I suggest a trail close to the campground for general family use and also asking for the JMT trail that runs along the west brow over the BSF river. This would be a great opportunity and could be ridden in either direction or return via Duncan Hollow Rd. Limitations would have to be imposed so bikers couldn't access the steps that drop into the gorge. I like the idea of permits but could see that it might be a hassle, I do suggest comments from bikers after riding this beautiful trail.
MORE Singletrack;
We have an offer of a new bike trail to be built on the west side of the gravel road. This would add some more distance to the Collier Ridge bike trail. We also would be able to use the West Entrance Trail head and the hiking trail as a parking lot for access to this trail. This is good for those not wishing to labor on the gravel road back and forth from the information center. In the summertime this was rough due to heavy dust conditions and frequent vehicle traffic.
Addressing a New Proposition; page 94 top of page Duncan Hollow Trail (segment A) map 6 trail 15.
Note that they are calling for this to be a horse/foot traffic trail. I think that horse traffic should continue to be on the road bed and kept off sensitive new singletrack along the rims. This new trail would run parallel to some degree with Duncan Hollow Rd. Actually routing of the trail would follow contour lines and seek out scenic opportunities over the gorge. I would recommend turning the new trail back across Duncan Hollow Road at a point near the end that would allow for access by road or new trail over to the JMT trail.
This would serve as larger loop trail extension for the present Duncan Hollow Bike Trail. Also, if access to the JMT on the west brow was accomplished it would definitely be an attractive loop trail for both hikers and bikers to visit 2 rim trails and overlook both gorge valleys.
This trail could be built by bikers and hikers in theory. Regardless, it seems to be very feasible and a very attractive point for the park.
I would recommend that we ask that if the shared use results are favorable for future shared trail access that it be placed in the GMP in wording. New shared access should be done on a progressive implementation basis.
Something for us to think about.
By no means do I intend to leave this load at Joe's feet. If we get this or any part of this or none at all, we still need to visit the park and take care of our trails there. Superintendent Detring told me that he is extremely impressed with the mountain bikers as a group. This tells me that we have all the ammunition we need to step up and accomplish bigger and better things. If we, as a group, can send in "letters of commitment" to the park on behalf of our respective clubs, it will help our cause. No other user seems to be concerned with the welfare of the existing trail system as we are. This goes along way towards allowing us the opportunity to display our philosophy of stewardship with other users and to the park service locally and nationally. A cooperative effort to maintain the existing trail systems and build future trails would reap nationwide benefits.
I understand that he is all for self policing of the user groups. Obviously we are way ahead in the education and stewardship programs and should also use these to demonstrate to the other groups by means of the bike patrol program and IMBA club partnerships with the park service. I can draft a letter that would include all the IMBA clubs if desired or I can send along a draft copy for you all to look over.
Please make you suggestions known to all of us. We can hammer out a final comment and pass it along to other clubs. This is a 20 year management plan. There won't be any room to wiggle if we get shorted on this.
Thanks,
Sam Poyner
IMBA TN Rep
What do mountain bikers want at Big South Fork?
1). Challenging trails.
2). More singletrack.
3). A variety of trails that range from less challenging for families to very challenging backcountry trails with possibility of larger loops/
4) Quality trails that access the back country.
To attain these goals, my opinion is that we need to do the following;
1). Agree to the Grand Gap Loop shared trail use with the existing limitations placed on it with these amendments;
A). The idea of limited access is flawed due to the fact that we only have Monday - Friday access. This seems unfair in application, but noting that the Grand Gap loop is the one of the most popular trails in the park. Weekend access for a majority of the mountain bikers has my concerns. My understanding is that this is used heavily by the hikers. I also understand that the trail is technical and warrants extreme caution and good sense for hikers. It is the cliff rim trail over the Big South Fork river. The cliffs are over 300 ft. high. This trail may not be for the general biking mom and pop and kiddies
I did bring it to their attention that the limited access does not constitute a true experimental status trail. Enforcement on the weekends would needed, which is something not desired. I also noted that it would be frustrating for those of us that couldn't access this trail normally. This would be begging for an infraction, and seeing how it is the most popular trail in the park, hikers wouldn't hesitate to report infractions.
I would accept this proposition under these rules;
Make it necessary for bikers to check in with the park office to obtain and return a ride permit. This would serve 2 purposes; the ability for the park service to monitor use and provide actual statistics of use. Also information would be made available to the biker informing them of the technical aspects of the trail and its cautions. The permit could be a handle bar mounted type, highly visible, and returnable with a comment. This could be either turned in at a drop box or returned to the office.
Due to the abnormal use aspect of the experimental use for this trail, I feel it is possible that we could ask for 7 day a week access on at least 1 or 2 maybe more hiking trails. We need to have a good general use trail for riders not wanting challenging back country trails and that perhaps stay close the campground. This could offer the park the chance to see high use shared trail statistics. Requesting another challenging trail would offer the backcountry aspect of shared trail use.
I suggest a trail close to the campground for general family use and also asking for the JMT trail that runs along the west brow over the BSF river. This would be a great opportunity and could be ridden in either direction or return via Duncan Hollow Rd. Limitations would have to be imposed so bikers couldn't access the steps that drop into the gorge. I like the idea of permits but could see that it might be a hassle, I do suggest comments from bikers after riding this beautiful trail.
MORE Singletrack;
We have an offer of a new bike trail to be built on the west side of the gravel road. This would add some more distance to the Collier Ridge bike trail. We also would be able to use the West Entrance Trail head and the hiking trail as a parking lot for access to this trail. This is good for those not wishing to labor on the gravel road back and forth from the information center. In the summertime this was rough due to heavy dust conditions and frequent vehicle traffic.
Addressing a New Proposition; page 94 top of page Duncan Hollow Trail (segment A) map 6 trail 15.
Note that they are calling for this to be a horse/foot traffic trail. I think that horse traffic should continue to be on the road bed and kept off sensitive new singletrack along the rims. This new trail would run parallel to some degree with Duncan Hollow Rd. Actually routing of the trail would follow contour lines and seek out scenic opportunities over the gorge. I would recommend turning the new trail back across Duncan Hollow Road at a point near the end that would allow for access by road or new trail over to the JMT trail.
This would serve as larger loop trail extension for the present Duncan Hollow Bike Trail. Also, if access to the JMT on the west brow was accomplished it would definitely be an attractive loop trail for both hikers and bikers to visit 2 rim trails and overlook both gorge valleys.
This trail could be built by bikers and hikers in theory. Regardless, it seems to be very feasible and a very attractive point for the park.
I would recommend that we ask that if the shared use results are favorable for future shared trail access that it be placed in the GMP in wording. New shared access should be done on a progressive implementation basis.
Something for us to think about.
By no means do I intend to leave this load at Joe's feet. If we get this or any part of this or none at all, we still need to visit the park and take care of our trails there. Superintendent Detring told me that he is extremely impressed with the mountain bikers as a group. This tells me that we have all the ammunition we need to step up and accomplish bigger and better things. If we, as a group, can send in "letters of commitment" to the park on behalf of our respective clubs, it will help our cause. No other user seems to be concerned with the welfare of the existing trail system as we are. This goes along way towards allowing us the opportunity to display our philosophy of stewardship with other users and to the park service locally and nationally. A cooperative effort to maintain the existing trail systems and build future trails would reap nationwide benefits.
I understand that he is all for self policing of the user groups. Obviously we are way ahead in the education and stewardship programs and should also use these to demonstrate to the other groups by means of the bike patrol program and IMBA club partnerships with the park service. I can draft a letter that would include all the IMBA clubs if desired or I can send along a draft copy for you all to look over.
Please make you suggestions known to all of us. We can hammer out a final comment and pass it along to other clubs. This is a 20 year management plan. There won't be any room to wiggle if we get shorted on this.
Thanks,
Sam Poyner
IMBA TN Rep
