Well at least we're in the same boat I vote we all head up to the shore:dancing:66 said:I'm with you Amy, no clue.
Does this help?Snacks said:Am I the only one that doesn't know what trail these are from?
That sure looks like Mt. Si in the background. That blows...but not as bad as the incredible mess/destruction that they left in its place. Ponderous, indeed.FatalExposure said:Does this help?
Come on Dave, let's not let rumors get out of hand here. The local rangers don't even like to give tickets, much less cuff you and stuff you.Dave_Schuldt said:If the FS feels like doing the paperwork you could wind up in federal prison, not fun.
Actually both DNR and the Forest Service got grants to pay for enforcement and education rangers this year. Each agency has approx. 4 full time rangers on staff right now. From what I understand meth labs and ATV use were becoming quite a problem for them.FatalExposure said:There is no federal law enforcement ranger in the district since John left in 2002. KCSD can barely be counted on to respond to legitimate complaints since they can frequently be found representing Starbucks. WSP is too busy on the Hway writing tickets. The game wardens are few and far between and are often way back in the middle of the hinterland.
juice said:I got a call from DNR yesterday, and they told me they removed a new trail up there that had encroached onto their land. Most of this area is either on Fruit Growers (private) or Forest Service land, and this was the first trail to venture onto DNR.
DNR, like most land managers, has a policy that trails need to be officially approved, or they risk being ripped out. They don't just do this with mt. biking trails, but also with ATV, and hiker trails from time to time.
Forest Service has chosen not to rip out the trails on FS land at this time, but I'm told this might change due to ongoing trail building at 27 and 38. They do know about both trail systems, but are currently more worried about shooting, 4x4's in wetlands and ATV use. This might change this spring - we'll see. As you all know, they have rangers up patrolling the area. Their main concerns are liability and resource damage such as erosion (ruts at 38) and cutting of trees.
We're in an odd place right now. Land managers are starting to understand that freeriding is here to stay, and is a big part of mountain biking. But they're still uneasy about the structures and enhanced features that come with this kind of trail. We're all looking for a place to build this kind of trail, but there are challenges.
They also see the ruts at 38 and the huge structures at 27 and think that's what bikers want - so their perception of our desired trails is a bit skewed. Last time IMBA was here we showed all the land managers video of Fromme and Seymour, so they're starting to get the idea that this stuff can be environmentally sustainable, and you don't need to be 8' up in the trees to make folks happy.
DNR still feels like they can't absorb the risk associated with DH/freeride trails. This will change eventually, but government "think" doesn't change quickly. We're telling them all about places like Blackrock in Falls City, which is a freeride area on Oregon Dept. of Forestry land (OR version of DNR). DNR also has had their budgets slashed, and thus isn't big on any new trails - be it hilker, horse or biker. There's potential here - but as you can see it won't be an easy sell.
King County is willing to play ball. The problem is that KC lands aren't ideal. We need something accessible and with good vert. I'd like to see at least 1000 ft, but I'll take what we can get. We also need to make sure there's plenty of rock and the soils drain well. Most KC land is West of the foothills.
Forest Servie - fuggitaboutit. There is a moratorium on any new trails in Region 6. We're working on a solution to this so we can build Phase II of the Olallie/South Fork Snoqualmie trail system, which will be xc. The solution might be to have State Parks manage and fund the trails even though they're on FS land. But its been 10 years in the making for this system, and we can't wait 10 more years to get freeride trails.
State Parks - maybe, but they don't have much land that would work for us.
Private - sure, if someone wants to play ball and has good land, we'll work with them to address maintenance and liability insurance.
I'd encourage folks to call DNR and the Forest Service to tell them that we really need a legit place for freeride trails. Demand will create the solution. Be profession and respectful. Getting bent won't help our cause.
Justin
BBTC's Exec. Dir and a shore junkie
justin@bbtc.org
http://bbtc.org