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Experts and USFS warn bikes and bears a risky combination

5/27/2019

 
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Bear experts warn that mountain biking in grizzly and black bear habitat can be dangerous, in large part because the biker might surprise a bear.
In June 2016, after a grizzly bear killed mountain biker Brad Treat in the Flathead National Forest near West Glacier, a board of review concluded: “The incident appears to be a surprise encounter with a bear due to the high speed and the lack of noise of bike travel, combined with a blind curve on a trail.” Evidence suggested the collision occurred so quickly that neither Treat nor the bear could avoid it.
Investigation suggested Treat collided with the bear and that Treat and his bike flipped over the grizzly and landed on the trail.

The board of review described mountain biking “as a recreational activity that involves increased risk and danger of surprise encounters with bears.”
Chris Servheen served as chairman of the board of review that investigated the Treat fatality. He retired in April 2016 as Grizzly Bear Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Mountain bikers have the potential to compromise and diminish the value of grizzly bear habitat by displacing bears from bike trail areas,” Servheen said this week.
“Mountain bikers also put themselves at serious risk of surprise encounters with both black and grizzly bears because they travel quietly at high speed,” he said. “This is exactly what we tell people not to do when traveling in grizzly habitat.”
The board of review attributed the increased hazards associated with mountain biking in bear habitat to the tendency for the activity to be comparatively quiet and for bikers to travel at a higher speed than hikers. In addition, the board observed that mountain bikers tend to focus on the trail close to the bike “instead of looking ahead for bears, especially on single-track trails.”
A February 2016 article at singletracks.com observes, “Mountain biking is perhaps the most dangerous of the forms of recreating in bear country.”

Outdoors retailer REI was even more blunt in one installment of the company’s online “Expert Advice” feature: “It is not advisable to ride mountain bikes in grizzly country. Bikes cover ground quickly and quietly, meaning you could encounter a grizzly in a swift and startling manner. Such a meeting is a grave error in grizzly territory.”

Keith Hammer, chairman of the Swan View Coalition, has opposed ultra-marathons whose routes traveled through grizzly bear habitat. He is concerned also about new trails proposed by the Forest Service’s Taylor Hellroaring Project that could send mountain bikers into grizzly habitat and through miles of huckleberry patches.

“I’ve hiked my whole life and I’ve never had a black bear or a grizzly bear charge me,” Hammer said. “The two times I’ve been charged I was on a mountain bike.”

He said both occasions occurred when he was biking in the Krause Basin area east of Kalispell. One incident involved a black bear protecting cubs. The other involved a bear Hammer concluded was likely a grizzly. In that case, Hammer was traveling down a Forest Service road and heard a bear chasing him, with clacking of teeth and huffing.
Hammer sped up and escaped injury. He has not mountain biked since in the Krause Basin.
“I still hike through there. I don’t hesitate to. I have bear spray handy,” Hammer said. “On a bike, with both hands on the handlebars, you can’t grab your bear spray without crashing the bike.”

Anders Broste is an avid mountain biker and a board member for Flathead Area Mountain Bikers. He has a unique and hard-won perspective on recreation in grizzly country.
Broste was hunting in November off Trumbull Canyon Road when he startled a grizzly in thick brush and was attacked. Broste suffered numerous injuries, including a broken bone in his right arm, a broken fibula in his left leg, ligament and muscle tears, and more.
He did not blame the bear, noting the animal had reacted naturally to Broste’s surprise intrusion.
After extensive rehabilitation, Broste is mountain biking again.
He said he previously carried pepper spray when biking trails he considered “backcountry.” But he said his consideration of backcountry vs. frontcountry trails has changed as grizzlies continue to disperse and human development continues to expand into areas of wildlife habitat.
“We don’t think of these trails as backcountry trails and they should be treated that way,” Broste said. “The bears are everywhere.”
He said pepper spray ought to be included in a mountain biker’s gear when traveling in bear habitat.
“But you can only do so much to encourage people to do the right thing,” Broste said.
One point of discussion among regional mountain bikers focuses on how or where a rider should carry a canister of pepper spray. He said he has often stashed it in the frame-mounted rack intended to hold a water bottle. But people have observed that this location would not serve him if he got separated from his bike during an attack.
One bear spray manufacturer offers an adaptor that can secure a canister in a water-bottle rack.

Meanwhile, the Forest Service’s preferred alternative for the proposed Taylor Hellroaring Project northwest of Whitefish would construct about 40 miles of new trails, primarily in the Flathead National Forest. About 15 miles of trail would pass through huckleberry patches.
The board of review that studied the grizzly attack on Brad Treat provided recommendations intended to both communicate to mountain bikers the risks of biking in black bear and grizzly habitat and to suggest ways to reduce those risks.
The board observed: “Before new trails are opened to mountain biking in bear habitat, particularly grizzly habitat, there should be careful evaluation of the safety and reasonableness of enhancing mountain bike access in these areas where bear density is high.”
The board suggested that three characteristics of the proposed trails be evaluated. Among them was, “Evaluation of the productivity of bear foods along trail routes (i.e. does the trail traverse productive huckleberry fields or avalanche chutes?).”
Trail builders should also evaluate the potential use of seasonal trail closures “should the trail be opened for mountain bike use,” the board observed.
Servheen said recently that trail closures can be one way to reduce human-bear conflict but isn’t always effective.
“Our ability to close trails and manage such closures in grizzly habitat is poor at best,” he said. “So, avoiding such areas is best.”
Brian Peck is a Columbia Falls-based independent wildlife consultant with an expertise in wolves and grizzly bears. His clients have included National Audubon Society, Sierra Club, the Great Bear Foundation, Natural Resources Defense Council and WildEarth Guardians.
Peck’s comments to the Forest Service about the agency’s environmental assessment for the Taylor Hellroaring Project noted that the proposed alternative would pass through some 15 miles of huckleberry fields. He noted that this is “something bear managers have repeatedly warned against.”
He referenced, too, the trails’ proximity in places to streams and how the waterways’ noise can mask sounds and lead to surprise encounters between humans and bears.
“Clearly, this project’s trail systems are unnecessarily creating an accident waiting to happen, and need to be scrapped and completely re-thought,” Peck told the Forest Service.
In July, a mountain biker near Canmore, Alberta, collided hard with a black bear but escaped injury. There were buffalo berries in the vicinity, according to news reports.
Bill Mulholland, district ranger for Flathead National Forest’s Tally Lake District, acknowledged the trails “would be located in existing huckleberry [habitat] and some avalanche terrain.” He said “there are no plans for seasonal closures” of the trails and that “there will be educational signage installed.”
She noted that the environmental assessment for the Taylor Hellroaring Project describes plans for trail design and signage that could lessen the potential for human-bear conflict.
The environmental assessment also notes: “It is likely that the trail system would receive a high level of use soon after construction, as it is close to the town of Whitefish and would be tied into a larger system of trails that currently receive high levels of use.”
In addition to construction of new trails, the Taylor Hellroaring Project proposes interventions that would thin trees and conduct other landscape interventions intended to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Broste said he believes the logging and thinning activities could reduce habitat impacts of trails.
Meanwhile, Servheen and others have noted that conflicts between humans and bears in bear habitat often end badly for the bears.
“Bears must live in these areas while humans are just visitors,” he said.


Celebration of Trails in Nevada County coming!

5/23/2019

 
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CELEBRATION OF TRAILS WEEKEND 2019 events:
When: Friday, May 31
Join Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT), outdoor recreationists and trail supporters May 31 – June 1 for Celebration of Trails, the biggest showcase of local community trails all year! Trails are one of our greatest community assets. They build strong neighborhoods and boost the local economy. Trails get us outside and close to nature for healthy exercise and spiritual renewal.
We’ll kick things off on Friday, May 31, 5-8pm at the Ol’ Republic Taproom on Argall Way for Ales for Trails. Stop by for a tasty beverage, music and food.  Meet fellow trail lovers and BYLT staff. You can also sign up you or your team for the Hike-A-Thon the next day!
On Saturday, June 1, join us on the trail for our 2nd annual Hike-A-Thon on the Pioneer Trail, part of the future Pines to Mines Trail. Raise money for trails with every step and win prizes along the way! After, we’ll meet you at the Ol’ Republic Roadhouse (old 5 Mile House on Hwy 20) for a vendor village and festival setting with many of your favorite outdoor groups and businesses, music, food, speakers and more! Yuba Bus will provide shuttle rides all day long.
What: Celebration of Trails Hike-A-Thon 
When: Yuba Bus shuttle pickups at 9 am and 9:30 am Nevada County Rood Center.
Pre-Registration is Required to participate in the Hike-A-Thon by clicking here
Hike-A-Thon starts on the Pioneer Trail at 10 a.m. 
Concludes around noon
Where: Pioneer Trail segment along Highway 20, finishes at Ol’ Republic Roadhouse (old 5 Mile House)
Participants will hike five miles, starting just south of White Cloud Campground off Hwy 20 along the Pioneer Trail and future Pines to Mines Trail and finish at Ol’ Republic Brewery’s new Roadhouse (old 5 Mile House), raising money for trails with each step.
The campaign’s overall goal is to raise $10,000 for maintaining and building Nevada County trails.
The vision of the future multi-use Pines to Mines Trail is a 72-mile trail linking the towns of Nevada City and Truckee by using existing trail systems. Bear Yuba Land Trust is in the early stages of working with a number of trail organizations on the development of this project that will take years of community support.
BYLT’s Hike-A-Thon is not a race. It’s a family-friendly event for people of all ages and a fun way to get outdoors and support a cause that is healthy for everyone. Yuba Bus is partnering with BYLT and will provide morning shuttles from Nevada County Government Center to the Hike-A-Thon starting point. A number of prizes are available to Hike-A-Thon participants.
At the finish line, friends, family, outdoor enthusiasts and trail lovers will cheer Hike-A-Thon participants and celebrate the rest of the day with music, food, fun activities and more.
What: Celebration of Trails Vendor Village 
Where: Ol’ Republic Brewery Roadhouse (old 5 Mile House) 
When: noon to 5 pm. 
Join us at the Roadhouse to Celebrate Trails with music, food, speakers, vendor booths, maps, gear, and more. Gold Country Trails Council will bring a horse! Bicyclists of Nevada County will share info on Multi-Use Trail Etiquette; YBONC will have t-shirt painting for kids; Tahoe National Forest will provide trail maps of the Yuba River Ranger District; Sierra Club will once again bring kids games. Pacific Crest Trail Association, Forest Trails Alliance & Yuba Trails Stewardship will have trail information. Sierra Fund will have kids activities and provide educational materials on the legacy of mining, mercury in fish and how to eat fish safely. Bear Yuba Land Trust will feature Pines to Mines trail maps, cool merchandise like stainless steel cups, trucker hats, and trail cards, and info about summer events and outings.
Yuba Bus Schedule 
Shuttle to Hike-A-Thon (Pre-Registration Required here)
Pick up at popup tent Rood Center, 950 Maidu Avenue, Nevada City
(Pre-Registration Required here)
9:00 am
9:30 am
Shuttle Pick Up Times
11:30 am – Rood Center
noon – Roadhouse, Hwy 20
12:30 pm –  Rood Center
1:00 pm – Roadhouse
1:30 pm – Rood Center
2:00 pm –  Roadhouse
2:30 pm –  Rood Center
3:00 pm – Roadhouse – last shuttleYuba Bus Shuttles will transport people back to town from Roadhouse on the hour.
Interested in becoming a vendor, volunteer, or lead a hike or work day? 
Contact Felicia at [email protected] or 272-5994 ext 207. ​

Western States 100 training runs Memorial Day weekend

5/23/2019

 
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Western States offers training runs to acquaint runners with the last 70 miles of the Western States trail. The most attended will be this Memorial Day weekend with over 750 runners on the trail.
MEMORIAL WEEKEND TRAINING RUNS: MAY 25-27, 2019
Date: Saturday, May 25, 2019
Run from Robinson Flat (depending on snow conditions) back to the FH Elementary School, a distance of approximately 32 miles. 
Date: Sunday, May 26, 2019
Time: Run starts at 8:30 a.m. Check-in from 7:15 am to 8:15 am.
Route: Foresthill to Rucky Chucky (and up to Driver’s Flat), 19 Miles
Wait List will be on site day of beginning at 7:15 a.m. at the Elementary School
Aid Stations: Peachstone (Cal-2), Rucky Chucky and Driver’s Flat.
Date: Monday, May 27, 2019
Time: Buses leave at 8:30 a.m. Check-in from 7:15 am to 8:15 am.
Route: Green Gate to Auburn, 20 Miles
Wait List will be on site day of beginning at 7:15 a.m. at Placer HS
Aid Stations: Intersection of Brown’s Bar and Quarry Road, No Hands Bridge, Placer H.S.

If you are not a participant in this event, you might want to consider using other trails this weekend.

For more information CLICK HERE.


Hike Truckee-Donner Land Trust Waddle Ranch

5/23/2019

 
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As snow gives way to bare earth, the aspens, alders and willows begin to turn green again, and the red heads of snowplant begin to push through the soil, Truckee Donner Land Trust's Waddle Ranch is one of the first hikes each spring ready to be explored.
Early season conditions will still exist, so please tread lightly on soft or muddy stretches of trail, and give us a call and let us know if you come across any down trees on the trail, or other repairs in need of our attention.
Start out on Matt's trail(the first mile is the road crossing Martis Creek Dam) from Martis Dam Road. Keep an eye to your right for osprey and bald eagle fishing Martis Creek Reservoir - and depending on the time of year - migratory waterfowl. Once across the dam the trail becomes dirt, crosses a drainage, and turns abruptly east (left). At the first intersection you can choose between Royal Flush Trail on the left for a more direct route to Lake Ella - another great birding spot, or right to stay with Matt's Trail and a detour on Erika's trail to the Linker Family Meadow - a perfect place for a picnic.
Proceeding along the south side of Lake Ella, Katy's Walk is an excellent option for spotting birds and other wildlife. Visitors have seen coyote, mule deer, mountain lion, black bear and other animals on the Waddle Ranch Preserve, and work is underway to restore sugar pine to the forest here.
Need to know:
- From State Route 267, turn north onto Martis Dam Road. Proceed to the trailhead at the junction of Glider Port Road and Martis Dam Road.
- Trails are open to hiking, running and bicycling.
- Dogs must be on a leash so as not to disturb wildlife.
- For even longer outings, you can connect to Elizabethtown Meadows Trail.
For a map and more information, click here.
   
To read the original article in the Truckee-Donner Land Trust newsletter, CLICK HERE.

UPDATE: Pioneer Express Trail clear

5/10/2019

 
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UPDATE 5/10/2019
The Rangers said that because the area is so rugged and remote, they will be leaving the body of the horse that fell off this trail in place to naturally decompose. Trail users will smell the odor in this area for a few more weeks.

UPDATE 5/3/2019
The picture shows where the horse slipped off the Pioneer Express Trail, and that the trail is clear for passage. The trail is stable and clear.

UPDATE 4/27/19
According to the Sterling Pointe Facebook page, some riders have gone up to the area today, and said it was passible. The edge of the trail where the horse turned around and slipped was visible, but the trail bed looks stable. This is a report from public riders, not State Parks. Rider is OK.

TRAIL SAFETY AWARENESS

There are many areas on the Pioneer Express trail and the connecting Western States Trail where it is unsafe for a horse to turn around. The Pioneer Express trail is single file, narrow, cliffy, and steep. There are areas where you may go 1/4 mile where there is no place for a horse to safely turn around. Each person has to evaluate their own experience if that type of trail is safe for them and their horse.

​There is a map and pictures here below show what is typical of the Pioneer Express Trail in those areas. 


===================
PREVIOUS POST 4/26/19
Pease avoid or the area from Sterling Pointe to Rattlesnake Bar. Trail is going to be checked for stability. Horse attempting to turn around fell about 1/2 mile from Horseshoe Bar, going north, just after the rocky narrow part of the trail. 
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EXTENDED: Openings available in the Folsom Lake SRA Mounted Patrol

5/9/2019

 
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UPDATE MAY 9, 2019
The opportunity to volunteer for the Folsom Lake SRA Mounted Patrol has been extended to June 12. 2019. If you are interested, CLICK HERE to email Kendra for more information and application forms.

ORIGINAL POST MAY 1, 2019
If you are an equestrian who wishes to be a volunteer for the Folsom Lake SRA Mounted Patrol, this is your chance. There are a few openings available now and until May 10, 2019. (Photo credit, Patty Neifer)

A partial list of responsibilities include being certified in First Aid/CPR/AED, riding/participating for a year and then testing,  qualifying and certifying you and your horse as a working unit. You will be required to attend monthly meetings, perform and documenting patrols, assist with public events, and participate in trail work. You will be responsible for purchasing uniforms and all supplies.

Please email Kendra to receive more information and application forms.

Hoka One 100K Challenge 'ultramarathon' to close Jedediah Smith Trail today

5/4/2019

 
A portion of the American River Parkway trail is to be shut down for a run. This is to make way for runners to attempt to break world records.
SACRAMENTO, California — Runners are going to take over the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail on Saturday, May 4.
The Hoka One 100K Challenge is a run where 10 athletes are going to attempt to break two world records. This run is also going to cause a closure of the Jedediah Smith Memorial trail, from Hazel Avenue to Guy West Bridge, between the hours of 6 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ken Casparis, a spokesperson for Sacramento County Parks, said that the trail should open up as the runners pass through.

Casparis said that the records that the athletes are attempting include the 100K and 10 x 10K world records. The race is considered an ultramarathon, which is around a 62-mile-long run.

The run starts at the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and then goes down the American River to the Guy West Bridge. Casparis said that if people want to come out, this race could be a fun thing to watch.
"It's going to be a fun event," Casparis said. "I mean, how often do people break records in your own backyard?"
Neither the City of Folsom nor Sacramento County are expecting to shut down any roads, so traffic should not be affected by the run.

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 Mother Lode Trails is YOUR local volunteer-run trail information and resource website. Here you can find
up-to-the minute information on trail alerts, links and trail news for Placer,  Yuba, and Nevada counties.
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