The Pines to Mines trail (P2M) is envisioned to be a multi-use native surface trail system connecting Truckee to Nevada City sometime in the future. E-bikes on Pines to Mines trail considered hazardous by some
Approximately 50 miles of trail already exists and the implementation of a plan for the additional 22 miles connecting the far ends of the trails in place is expected to be underway some time this summer, according to the United States Forest Service (USFS). Hikers and trail riders call this segment of the P2M trail ‘the missing link.’
Plans for the P2M trail system will someday include a total of 72 miles of trail that former Nevada County Supervisor Richard Anderson spearheaded over a decade ago. Before the connecting 22-mile stretch can be made ready for public use, mainly by mountain bikes and Class 1 bikes, known as electronic bikes, environmental studies and public comment periods had to be completed.
On March 14, the Tahoe National Forest Service posted the final decision after environmental studies were completed, and the decision was ‘Finding of No Significant Impact’ also known as FONSI.
“Essentially what that did was clear the trail for implementation and is tentatively set to start this season so roughly this summer,” Lauren Faulkenberry, from the Tahoe National Forest Service (TNFS) said.
Some individuals who had concerns about the P2M trail project as it was proposed were disappointed. A controversy over how the use of electronic bikes will dominate the P2M trail and pose a safety-related concern during the public comment period was heard.
“The Forest Service just posted the Final Decision of FONSI or ‘no impact’ and, as feared, made zero accommodations or concessions for the many concerns from the community. E-bikes will officially be allowed on 72 miles of narrow, single-track trail, much of it through pristine natural habitat.
It’s beyond disappointing, especially when they got out one final blow with The Union publishing their inaccurate, misleading press release,” CH Smith, resident of Nevada County said.
Smith included images of bike tracks riding through wildflowers near the Spaulding trail where bicycles had gone off trail, and video clips of e-bikes spreading over rocky terrain and twisting slopes in a segment of the P2M trail called Hole in the Ground. Faulkenberry from the TNFS told The Union that the environmental study showed no impact for electronic bikes.
“There was an analysis on the bike impact done, and it showed no environmental impact. Class 1 bike use was comparable to mountain bikes in the way that they might impact the trail in the existing trails,” Faulkenberry said.
Objectors to the P2M trails project included Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA).
“BCHA’s membership fully supports the concept of the Pines to Mines Trail. We support the development of a trail connecting Nevada City with Truckee, the desire to expand public access to trails and open space, and how such a trail could support local economic development. We remain concerned, however, that agency’s proposed authorization of Class 1 motorized electric bicycles (e-bikes) on the trail would result in an adverse and disproportionately negative effect on the safety and enjoyment of the trail by riders on horseback,” a letter signed by Mike Hughes, President of Backcountry Horsemen of California said.
Another letter written to Jennifer Eberlien, Regional Forester USDA Forest Service found fault with the draft decision on the environmental assessment before it was approved.
“Bikers’ speed and frequent unwillingness to yield on narrow trails, even in areas with ‘educational’ signage are at the expense of other users’ enjoyment and of the environment/nature/wildlife, and makes bike access on singletrack multi-user trails often inappropriate, dangerous and misguided, especially on the Spaulding Lake Trail and the eastern stretch of the Pioneer Trail,” Smith said.
More public comments regarding e-bikes and the potential safety-related hazards to hikers and equestrians on the P2M trail have been fielded.
117 unique comments were received during the public comment period before the final decision was announced; 115 were in favor of the trail; 75 were in favor of an alternative to allowing e-bikes on the trail, according to John Brokaw, project contact with the USFS.
“The proposed action and the final decision notice was to provide additional opportunities for recreation and access to open space… We have potential to attract additional recreation users to the area,” Brokaw said.
A lot of the implementation that will be done depends on the funding that the TNFS can secure and volunteer groups, according to Faulkenberry.
In 2021, the Truckee Trails Foundation secured $100,000 in funding from Nevada County in order to conduct the necessary resource studies under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Nevada County, Truckee Trails Foundation, United States Forest Service, Nevada County, Bear Yuba Land Trust, and Bicyclists of Nevada County, have partnered together to help make the dream of a long-distance trail a reality.
FROM MOTHER LODE TRAILS:
From the list of partners, the Gold Country Trails Council was left out of this article. They were on the original steering committee when the P2M trail was proposed as a non-motorized trail, and have donated funds to the trail's construction. They are on record objecting to electric motorized bikes on this trail."
At this time, Trailforks.com, a trail map app powered by ‘The Outside,’ already shows the future 22-mile segment of the P2M as a “black diamond” trail, and lists types of bikes recommended; there is no mention of other users’ needs for this ‘multi-use’ trail such as hikers or equestrian groups. The ‘black diamond’ rating means that the 22- mile stretch is very difficult, with 3,421 feet of elevation to climb, ride, or ascend by bicycle.
Opponents to e-bikes also took issue with the ‘misinformation’ that the TNFS has presented on their website that states, “The Tahoe National Forest strives to offer diverse and accessible recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities,” said acting Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Matt Jedra.
“It is not designed for disabled or beginner cyclists, nor the old or infirm, by any stretch of the imagination. And access to both ends of this new stretch is currently, and likely to remain, extremely difficult as well,” Smith told The Union.
Erin Tarr, executive director of the Bear Yuba Land Trust told The Union that a meeting with all the partners in the P2M trial project was planned for next week, and more information may unfold in regards to funding or next steps.
The Union also contacted the office of Joe Chavez, the Tahoe National Forest Trail and Recreation Specialist for updates and details, however, Chavez is out of town until next week.
Nine segments of trail
To find its way from Truckee to Nevada City, the P2M trail works its way through nine segments.
Beginning at the Five Mile House to Rood Center, the 5 mile stretch of trail is described as a gentle descent via Willow Valley Road and links to Nevada City.
This single segment is in contrast to the 20 or so miles of rugged backcountry terrain of Red Mountain and beyond that trail users call ‘the missing link.’
To see the complete article and photos, click here:
lwww.theunion.com/news/e-bikes-on-pines-to-mines-trail-considered-hazardous-by-some/article_4c184016-43bb-11ef-84ba-a772417959cb.html
To contact Staff Writer Marianne Boll-See, email [email protected].
Approximately 50 miles of trail already exists and the implementation of a plan for the additional 22 miles connecting the far ends of the trails in place is expected to be underway some time this summer, according to the United States Forest Service (USFS). Hikers and trail riders call this segment of the P2M trail ‘the missing link.’
Plans for the P2M trail system will someday include a total of 72 miles of trail that former Nevada County Supervisor Richard Anderson spearheaded over a decade ago. Before the connecting 22-mile stretch can be made ready for public use, mainly by mountain bikes and Class 1 bikes, known as electronic bikes, environmental studies and public comment periods had to be completed.
On March 14, the Tahoe National Forest Service posted the final decision after environmental studies were completed, and the decision was ‘Finding of No Significant Impact’ also known as FONSI.
“Essentially what that did was clear the trail for implementation and is tentatively set to start this season so roughly this summer,” Lauren Faulkenberry, from the Tahoe National Forest Service (TNFS) said.
Some individuals who had concerns about the P2M trail project as it was proposed were disappointed. A controversy over how the use of electronic bikes will dominate the P2M trail and pose a safety-related concern during the public comment period was heard.
“The Forest Service just posted the Final Decision of FONSI or ‘no impact’ and, as feared, made zero accommodations or concessions for the many concerns from the community. E-bikes will officially be allowed on 72 miles of narrow, single-track trail, much of it through pristine natural habitat.
It’s beyond disappointing, especially when they got out one final blow with The Union publishing their inaccurate, misleading press release,” CH Smith, resident of Nevada County said.
Smith included images of bike tracks riding through wildflowers near the Spaulding trail where bicycles had gone off trail, and video clips of e-bikes spreading over rocky terrain and twisting slopes in a segment of the P2M trail called Hole in the Ground. Faulkenberry from the TNFS told The Union that the environmental study showed no impact for electronic bikes.
“There was an analysis on the bike impact done, and it showed no environmental impact. Class 1 bike use was comparable to mountain bikes in the way that they might impact the trail in the existing trails,” Faulkenberry said.
Objectors to the P2M trails project included Back Country Horsemen of America (BCHA).
“BCHA’s membership fully supports the concept of the Pines to Mines Trail. We support the development of a trail connecting Nevada City with Truckee, the desire to expand public access to trails and open space, and how such a trail could support local economic development. We remain concerned, however, that agency’s proposed authorization of Class 1 motorized electric bicycles (e-bikes) on the trail would result in an adverse and disproportionately negative effect on the safety and enjoyment of the trail by riders on horseback,” a letter signed by Mike Hughes, President of Backcountry Horsemen of California said.
Another letter written to Jennifer Eberlien, Regional Forester USDA Forest Service found fault with the draft decision on the environmental assessment before it was approved.
“Bikers’ speed and frequent unwillingness to yield on narrow trails, even in areas with ‘educational’ signage are at the expense of other users’ enjoyment and of the environment/nature/wildlife, and makes bike access on singletrack multi-user trails often inappropriate, dangerous and misguided, especially on the Spaulding Lake Trail and the eastern stretch of the Pioneer Trail,” Smith said.
More public comments regarding e-bikes and the potential safety-related hazards to hikers and equestrians on the P2M trail have been fielded.
117 unique comments were received during the public comment period before the final decision was announced; 115 were in favor of the trail; 75 were in favor of an alternative to allowing e-bikes on the trail, according to John Brokaw, project contact with the USFS.
“The proposed action and the final decision notice was to provide additional opportunities for recreation and access to open space… We have potential to attract additional recreation users to the area,” Brokaw said.
A lot of the implementation that will be done depends on the funding that the TNFS can secure and volunteer groups, according to Faulkenberry.
In 2021, the Truckee Trails Foundation secured $100,000 in funding from Nevada County in order to conduct the necessary resource studies under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Nevada County, Truckee Trails Foundation, United States Forest Service, Nevada County, Bear Yuba Land Trust, and Bicyclists of Nevada County, have partnered together to help make the dream of a long-distance trail a reality.
FROM MOTHER LODE TRAILS:
From the list of partners, the Gold Country Trails Council was left out of this article. They were on the original steering committee when the P2M trail was proposed as a non-motorized trail, and have donated funds to the trail's construction. They are on record objecting to electric motorized bikes on this trail."
At this time, Trailforks.com, a trail map app powered by ‘The Outside,’ already shows the future 22-mile segment of the P2M as a “black diamond” trail, and lists types of bikes recommended; there is no mention of other users’ needs for this ‘multi-use’ trail such as hikers or equestrian groups. The ‘black diamond’ rating means that the 22- mile stretch is very difficult, with 3,421 feet of elevation to climb, ride, or ascend by bicycle.
Opponents to e-bikes also took issue with the ‘misinformation’ that the TNFS has presented on their website that states, “The Tahoe National Forest strives to offer diverse and accessible recreation opportunities for all ages and abilities,” said acting Tahoe National Forest Supervisor Matt Jedra.
“It is not designed for disabled or beginner cyclists, nor the old or infirm, by any stretch of the imagination. And access to both ends of this new stretch is currently, and likely to remain, extremely difficult as well,” Smith told The Union.
Erin Tarr, executive director of the Bear Yuba Land Trust told The Union that a meeting with all the partners in the P2M trial project was planned for next week, and more information may unfold in regards to funding or next steps.
The Union also contacted the office of Joe Chavez, the Tahoe National Forest Trail and Recreation Specialist for updates and details, however, Chavez is out of town until next week.
Nine segments of trail
To find its way from Truckee to Nevada City, the P2M trail works its way through nine segments.
Beginning at the Five Mile House to Rood Center, the 5 mile stretch of trail is described as a gentle descent via Willow Valley Road and links to Nevada City.
This single segment is in contrast to the 20 or so miles of rugged backcountry terrain of Red Mountain and beyond that trail users call ‘the missing link.’
To see the complete article and photos, click here:
lwww.theunion.com/news/e-bikes-on-pines-to-mines-trail-considered-hazardous-by-some/article_4c184016-43bb-11ef-84ba-a772417959cb.html
To contact Staff Writer Marianne Boll-See, email [email protected].
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