Trail Updates by the Friends of Pathways



Trail Report, June 13, 2011
Greater Snow King Area/Munger Mountain Area/Teton Pass Area

Greater Snow King Area
FOP crews dug drainage on Putt-Putt and worked on some new seeping areas.  They worked on re-benching some sections of Josie’s and re-vegging braided sections of the trail.  They also finished the Cache Creek Sidewalk extension begun on National Trails Day, which connects the Sidewalk to bridge 3, allowing people to use the Sidewalk to bypass the Hagen stairs.

Trails on Snow King that are free of snow include Putt-Putt, Cache Creek Sidewalk, Hagen River, Hagen 2 Track, High Hagen, Sink or Swim, KC, Linda’s, Flat Creek, and Josie’s Ridge.

Ferrins Trail – the trail to the meadows is open and provides a great out and back. The entire trail should be open by this weekend.

West Game – This canyon may be open by the coming weekend, but there is a good bit of water everywhere.

Cache Creek Trail above Hagen and Putt-Putt – This is still a mess, but by the weekend we should be looking to be clear of snow to Bridge 6 (Cache/Game Bridge).

GSKA Notes:
You will notice bridges in Cache Creek are now numbered just in case they get washed away. If you see a bridge floating away, please let FOP or the USFS know!

The Cache/Game mountain bike race may be moved back a few weeks (it was scheduled for June 22). Please check with Teton County Parks and Rec for more info.

(more…)

Not Quite Time to Cache In



TRAIL UPDATE BY WARREN OSTLER

Although it’s mid May and the sun is shining, the Cache Creek trail system is only starting to become suitable for riding.  Lets work together and make sure the hacks out there know that riding through mud is extremely bad for the trails.

The rule of thumb is simple: if you’re getting mud on your bike (other than your tires) it’s too muddy to ride.  In addition, by leaving ruts in a muddy trail, you create a place for water to collect which in turn extends drying time.  Also, if you bike around mud then you widen our precious single track.  So do the right thing: stop before a muddy section, kick out a trench for water to drain, and turn around.

If you see someone with a muddy mountain bike, take a second to educate him or her.  Our trails get a lot of use and it would be nice if they were around for many years to come.  If you’re itching to ride this weekend, there is great dirt in Dubois and Pocatello!  Also, you can spin the legs on the Elk Refuge Road and take in some great scenery.

Do the Hokey Pokey!



Looking for a place to ride this weekend?  Fitzgerald’s mechanic Warren Ostler already scouted out a great option!  Here’s what he has to say:

Do you wish it was early June and you were riding Putt Putt? Well in three short hours it could be. Last weekend I took scenic a drive through beautiful Idaho Falls to ride some dirt in Pocatello, and I was stoked I did. After reportedly raining all morning the skies cleared to reveal perfect dirt on the resilient City Creek Trail System. The trails that were below snow line, offered smooth flowy cross-country riding. The climbs are very manageable for early season legs (as well as single speeds) and the system is well marked and mapped making for a great day. In my shorts and Hawaiian shirt I was loving it for 3+ hours, easily looping back to the car for some left over French toast mid ride. Be wary of the wide range of trail users.  I saw everything from grandma and her poodle to duel crown DH bikes, ti single speeds and Kmart specials. Bottom line… Yeah it’s kind of a long drive but what would you be doing if you stayed in Jackson this time of year? Must ride the 911 trail at least once when you’re there. Find directions on MTBR.

Check out the new Pathway!



Another huge thanks to the good folks at Friends of Pathways.  Check out the new system that is currently under development.  It starts across the street from Diary Queen and parts of the pathways will be completed this summer!  It will eventually connect with the pathway in the park.  Thanks FoP!

National Trails Day was a huge hit!



If you weren’t at Munger Mountain on National Trails Day then you should be stoked to buy any one of the volunteers a beer the next time you see them!  It was the biggest turnout ever with over 90 volunteers!  They worked extensively on the trails to make it nice and buff for everyone.

Participants include the Teton Freedom Riders, Jackson Hole Ski Patrol, Wilson Backcountry Sports, Friends of Pathways and Jackson Trail Crew.

National Trails Day – A Tribute to BIG WALLY



Friends of Pathways, Teton Freedom Riders, Jackson Hole Ski Patrol and the Forest Service will host National Trails Day on SATURDAY, JUNE  5TH.  ”With over 150 volunteers expected, National Trails Day should have the biggest turnout in the history of the event in Teton County”, stated Tim Young, Friends of Pathways Executive Director. National Trails Day is an opportunity for trail users to volunteer their time to make trails close to home sustainable and improve functionality for future use.

The Forest Service always looks forward to National Trails Day as the kick-off for the summer trail season. “This year we are particularly excited about the opportunity to join with so many partners to improve a wonderful multi-use trail system and at the same time honor Big Wally and our long-time partners at Red Top Meadows. The trails at Munger Mountain are popular with mountain bikers, horse riders, and hikers and also are open for motorcycle use from July 1 – September 9 so we encourage everyone to come out and help make this trail system really work for all users.” said Linda Merigliano, BTNF District Program Manager.
(more…)