Post by pistonschick on Jul 26, 2017 7:59:45 GMT -8
Thank you to all of the volunteers that came out on Saturday - July 22nd to help complete the finishing work on the C14 aka "Old Ugly" trail. Fifteen volunteers worked a collective 152 hours on Saturday in the blazing sun to make bring this new trail development to completion. Volunteers installed signage, picked up garbage, brushed trails, cleared culverts, stacked rocks on culvert surrounds, and constructed three barrier fences to protect the integrity of the trail. Volunteers who lasted through to the end of the work day were treated to a quick run up and down the new trail with some extra time spent playing on both natural and man-made rock features. We are hoping to open the C14 trail by late August or early September pending DNR upper management approval of the volunteer trail construction.
It has been a brutal few months this year to wrap up the equipment operation for this much anticipated 4x4 trail. In the past 3 months, volunteers have worked exhaustively putting in 1,350 hours to get this trail completed in time for the public to enjoy in the summer of 2017. Total volunteer hours for 2016 & 2017 for the C14 trail development were 3,610 hours valued at well over $100,000 in match contribution to go toward grant funding.
We would like to send a special shout out to the four volunteers who really kicked it in high gear in May, June and July this year to wrap up the equipment operation necessary to finish this trail: Darel Crowder, Dave Huttula, Crystal Crowder and Mark Keller worked 1,000 of the 1,350 total hours for 2017. Be sure to thank these folks who passed up on work, personal time with their families and missed out on recreational wheeling this season to get this trail completed for everyone to enjoy. This trail would NOT be opening this summer without their generous contribution of time and energy to this project.
C14 aka “Old Ugly” is approximately a two mile trail with just under 1,000 foot elevation drop from top to bottom. This “out and back” trail features two large play areas, an unimproved extreme uphill/downhill section (ride at your own risk), dozens of switchbacks, and views for days. Halfway down the trail take a left and you will find an oxbow option with a meandering collection of switchbacks through the trees offering an easier bypass around the hill climb. You will find this area surrounded by two major water systems so there is always a great opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife on the trail. While natural rock is rare in this section of the forest, there is one “notch” play area in the lower section with an opportunity to test your flex. Be sure to check out the manmade play area at the top of the trail for more man made rock feature fun. Remember that this trail will have no outlet until late 2018, so what goes down, must come back up to exit the trail – be sure to keep that in mind as gravity and false confidence lures you to the bottom of the system…
More good news! While Piston’s Wild Motorsports has been working away this year on C14, the Pacific Cascade DNR staff has been diligently working on four more new 4x4 trails in another section of the forest (Trail #’s C8, C9, C10 & C11). Two of those trails are nearing completion and the other two will not be far behind. Optimistic estimates predict at least one of these four new trails opening by the end of September and maybe sooner. ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts have not been forgotten, as the Jones Creek Trail Riders have been hard at work and by the end of this weekend will have successfully completed two new trails (C12 & C13) that will be opening in coordination with the network of upcoming new 4x4 trails.
SUPPORTING FUNDS FOR WORK PARTY MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES WERE PROVIDED BY RCO DEVELOPMENT GRANT #14-1809D
Yacolt Burn Recreation Plan Off-road Vehicle Trail Development
This 2-year grant was awarded in 2015 to the Pacific Cascade Region of the Washington Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $373,800 + DNR Matching Funds of $93,700. This brings the total of this development grant to $467,500 to develop 6 new miles of motorized trails in the Yacolt Burn State Forest (including 4x4, ATV & Dirtbike trails).
RCO grants are funded by your OHV fuel tax dollars and OHV permit dollars - hours worked by volunteers contribute to DNR's eligibility to continue to receive these grants in the future.
Specific details about the grant can be viewed here: secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/ProjectSnapshot.aspx…
It has been a brutal few months this year to wrap up the equipment operation for this much anticipated 4x4 trail. In the past 3 months, volunteers have worked exhaustively putting in 1,350 hours to get this trail completed in time for the public to enjoy in the summer of 2017. Total volunteer hours for 2016 & 2017 for the C14 trail development were 3,610 hours valued at well over $100,000 in match contribution to go toward grant funding.
We would like to send a special shout out to the four volunteers who really kicked it in high gear in May, June and July this year to wrap up the equipment operation necessary to finish this trail: Darel Crowder, Dave Huttula, Crystal Crowder and Mark Keller worked 1,000 of the 1,350 total hours for 2017. Be sure to thank these folks who passed up on work, personal time with their families and missed out on recreational wheeling this season to get this trail completed for everyone to enjoy. This trail would NOT be opening this summer without their generous contribution of time and energy to this project.
C14 aka “Old Ugly” is approximately a two mile trail with just under 1,000 foot elevation drop from top to bottom. This “out and back” trail features two large play areas, an unimproved extreme uphill/downhill section (ride at your own risk), dozens of switchbacks, and views for days. Halfway down the trail take a left and you will find an oxbow option with a meandering collection of switchbacks through the trees offering an easier bypass around the hill climb. You will find this area surrounded by two major water systems so there is always a great opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife on the trail. While natural rock is rare in this section of the forest, there is one “notch” play area in the lower section with an opportunity to test your flex. Be sure to check out the manmade play area at the top of the trail for more man made rock feature fun. Remember that this trail will have no outlet until late 2018, so what goes down, must come back up to exit the trail – be sure to keep that in mind as gravity and false confidence lures you to the bottom of the system…
More good news! While Piston’s Wild Motorsports has been working away this year on C14, the Pacific Cascade DNR staff has been diligently working on four more new 4x4 trails in another section of the forest (Trail #’s C8, C9, C10 & C11). Two of those trails are nearing completion and the other two will not be far behind. Optimistic estimates predict at least one of these four new trails opening by the end of September and maybe sooner. ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts have not been forgotten, as the Jones Creek Trail Riders have been hard at work and by the end of this weekend will have successfully completed two new trails (C12 & C13) that will be opening in coordination with the network of upcoming new 4x4 trails.
SUPPORTING FUNDS FOR WORK PARTY MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES WERE PROVIDED BY RCO DEVELOPMENT GRANT #14-1809D
Yacolt Burn Recreation Plan Off-road Vehicle Trail Development
This 2-year grant was awarded in 2015 to the Pacific Cascade Region of the Washington Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $373,800 + DNR Matching Funds of $93,700. This brings the total of this development grant to $467,500 to develop 6 new miles of motorized trails in the Yacolt Burn State Forest (including 4x4, ATV & Dirtbike trails).
RCO grants are funded by your OHV fuel tax dollars and OHV permit dollars - hours worked by volunteers contribute to DNR's eligibility to continue to receive these grants in the future.
Specific details about the grant can be viewed here: secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/ProjectSnapshot.aspx…