Nevada Conservation Corp volunteers working on Bulldog Trail.
The BLM reports that they are making good progress toward completing the reconstruction of the fire damaged Croy Trail system. Their target date for reopening the trails is July 1. Machine operators and BLM crews are currently working on portions of the Bull Dog, Two Dog, and Centerline Trails. The BLM is asking the public to remain patient and to stay off of the trails until they are officially reopened.
The BLM has hired the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to help with the reconstruction. BLM Recreation Planner John Kurtz says that IMBA is using a couple of specialized machines to reshape the trails.
Alex Harrington and Brian Vaughn at work on Centerline Trail.
“The operators are using a thirty inch wide bulldozer and a mini-excavator to do the heavy lifting, and we’ve been getting volunteer help from the community too,” said Kurtz. Volunteers from the Sage School, Blue Fire Wilderness Therapy, and the Nevada Conservation Corp have played an important roll in rebuilding the trails.
As for me, Chris Leman, BCRD Wood River Valley Trail Coordinator, I’ve been working in support of the project as part of an assistance agreement between the BLM and the BCRD. Everyone has been working to get good work done and to help keep the project on schedule. Personally, I’d like to give a shout out to the Wood River Bicycle Coalition and Sawtooth Backcountry Horsemen for the support that these groups have shown the project. The bike coalition has provided labor, helped advertise upcoming work events, and lent tools and the use of its two Rokon trail motorcycles to the effort. The horsemen have helped advertise the volunteer work events and they hosted a fun barbecue for volunteers following one of the sessions. Thanks also to Wiseguy Pizza in Hailey for having the volunteers in for dinner the other night.
Working on trails is fun and rewarding!
The BLM will host one final evening volunteer work session on the project this Thursday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Rotarun Ski Hill parking area. The work will be on the Wilson Gulch Trail. Volunteers are asked to carry some drinking water and to wear work gloves, closed-toed shoes/boots, long pants, eye protection, sun screen, and a hat. For additional information about volunteering or the reconstruction project please contact BLM Recreation Planner John Kurtz at (208) 732-7296.