SNOW!
3" of fresh snow fell last night and this morning on top of about an inch of Monday's powder - it has left just enough to ski on the trails. There is more in the forecast over the next 10 days so wax those skis and come on up!
Day-use Parking Opens...Monday afternoon Emily and I managed to get our parking area kiosk planted in the nearly frozen ground with a little help from our friendly backhoe operator. He also opened up our new parking lot below the stables off of Rt. 613 for our Day-use visitors. So if you are coming out to XC ski, hike or mountain bike you can now find a nice place to leave your car off of the road without worries. We will be adding a new parking pass program in the near future as well as a donation post for the occasional day user. We'd like to add some gravel to this lot, so donations will go along way to improving the user's experience.
East Coasters donates new Gary Fisher 29'er to The Conservancy...We are excited to announce that
East Coasters Bike Shops has graciously donated a new 29'er to the Conservancy. We'll use this bike to pull our BOB Trailer loaded with chainsaw and tools for doing trail building and other projects. During the summer we'll make it available for rent from the Outfitter's Shack. We also added a size run of four new full-suspension Gary Fisher Race Days to our fleet. These smooth riding machines will add to your comfort as you zoom at ridiculous speed over our rockiest mountain bike trails.
'Moonstomper Trail' Opened...
We took the opportunity this morning to make another pass on Moonstomper Trail (runs along the south end of Salt Pond Ridge from Homestead Trail to Bear Cliffs Trail just before hitting the Connector). We logged 7 man hours and ended up with a clear tunnel through the Beech trees and brambles. The trail is intended for expert level mountain bikers looking for a challenge and hikers and bird watchers. Much left to be done including brushing out and some trail armoring in particular spots. This will be an ongoing project to be completed in time for the Dirty Dawg MTB Race in June 2008.
The next trail project will be 'Toejammer Trail'. Toejammer will also connect off of Bear Cliffs Trail and run the north end of Salt Pond Ridge, including a jaunt over to 'Spring Trail' near the Bear Cliffs before snaking down off the mountain and popping out at the beginning of 'Old Turnpike' near the stables.
The pics shown here are from Sunday afternoon's secret training ride incorporating a first view by the Moonstompers of their namesake trail. By all reports this new single track trail is a real hoot! Bring your 'A-game' though it is not for the beginner.
Jim Higham, owner of The Powerzone (www.MowParts.com) in Christiansburg answered the call to help us maintain our extensive and growing trail system by loaning us an 18HP Cub Cadet Utility Vehicle. He is working to see that it will become a permanent part of our 'trail work fleet' here on the mountain joining our new 29'er and BOB Trailer recently donated by East Coasters Bike Shops. (www.EastCoasters.com).
