| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1325.1 | AMC commentary on biking in WMNF | DELNI::B_FLANNERY | Running in Cycles | Fri Oct 06 1989 15:14 | 58 |
| A commentary in this month's AMC "Appalachia" gives an answer to your
question. I've excerpted it below, and have also included part of the
letter which prompted the commentary. Each provides a different angle on
use of bikes in the National Forest.
The commentary is by AMC Trails Program director, Reuben Rajala:
"Mountain biking is an increasingly popular activity... The AMC considers
mountain biking a recognized and legitimate use of public land. Currently
the AMC has no formal position on their use. Some paths may be perfect for
mountain biking, while others may be quite fragile, and with substantial
use, could be severely damaged. This is an evolving issue, and because of
the variety of trails available to the public, needs to be dealt with case
by case. The Club does not consider a total ban an appropriate solution.
National Park Service (NPS) and Appalachia Trail Conference (ATF)
policies consider the Appalachian Trail off limits to bikes, horses and
motorized vehicles. The Forest Service allows mountain biking everywhere
except on the AT and Wilderness Areas. The Forest Service recognizes that
some trails are rugged enough and, if used modestly, will not suffer from
user conflict or resource problems...
Keep in mind that resource damage is evident from hiking, horseback
riding, and most outdoor recreation. All those who enjoy the outdoors and
are concerned about the wise stewardship of its use, should team up to
identify trail sections appropriate for different uses and work together to
maintain and manage them."
The letter which prompted the commentary was from two members of the
AMC Connecticut chapter. This is an excerpt:
"...We believe that something must be done to restrict or abolish the use of
mountain bikes on New England's trail system, including the Appalachian
Trail.
As the popularity of mountain bikes has increased, so has noticeable
damage to Connecticut's trails. This is an issue we believe all AMC
members should be concerned about..."
The article goes on to document instances of trail erosion and damage to
plants and trees adjoining the trails. It calls for people to suggest ways
to manage the problems.
As Reuben stated, this is an evolving issue. Fortunately, both hikers and
bikers can influence what will happen.
To get further info or to provide comments, contact:
AMC Trail Committee Chair:
Steve Smith
4 Douglas Road
RFD 1
Westford, ME 01886
AMC Trails Program director:
Reuben Rajala
c/o AMC Pinkham Notch Camp
Box 298
Gorham, NH 03855
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| 1325.2 | experiences? | ASIC::NBLIAMPTIS | multiprocessing as a way of life | Fri Oct 06 1989 18:37 | 18 |
| RE: -1
> The Forest Service allows mountain biking everywhere
>except on the AT and Wilderness Areas. The Forest Service recognizes that
>some trails are rugged enough and, if used modestly, will not suffer from
>user conflict or resource problems...
I saw that letter as well.
Mountain biking in the WMNF sounds great! However, I've never
seen anyone biking while I was hiking, and I don't know anyone who
has gone biking there.
Before I trek off to the mountains I'd like more definitive
information than a letter in Appalachia.
So how about it, any WMNF trail reccomendations? A trip down
the Wilderness Trail seems like it might be doable.
- Nick
|
| 1325.3 | Good job AMC! | IAMOK::WESTER | | Sun Oct 08 1989 15:15 | 16 |
| Hats off to the AMC for their well thought out and logical answer to the
question about Mt. biking in the WMNF!! Too often you see reactionary
defensive postures taken by large agencies when something new comes
along to disrupt the status quo. Common sense usually brings the best
solution.
Mt. biking is best off road, so being able to ride in the white mts.
(or any mountainous area) would be great. I never have (I don't even
own a mt. bike, yet) ridden in the mts. but blasting around the trails
near Lincoln guide service is really a kick!
As long as people are responsible and don't abuse our wonderful parks or
intrude on other peoples enjoyment of them, they should be able to
do what they like!
Dave
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| 1325.4 | | OLDTMR::BROWN | | Wed Oct 11 1989 12:29 | 1 |
| AMC trails ==> America's Maintained Creek trails last I was there...
|
| 1325.5 | Guinea Pond Trail | HPSRAD::SMITH | Michael J. Smith, MRO 1-3 | Wed Oct 11 1989 15:42 | 25 |
| Guinea Pond Trail ...
Near Squam Lake and Sandwich NH.
From Sandwich Notch Road to Joses Bridge
Runs east/west, length about 7 miles
Mostly level and wide, looks like an old road.
Last mile (or less) on east end is very steep.
To pick up the trail from the west, take Sandwich Notch Road out of
Center Sandwich (junctions of NH routes 109 and 113). The road will turn
to dirt and go down a hill. At the bottom of the hill there is road that
goes right and you can park at this intersection. Sandwich Notch Road
starts to climb again (it is a notch) and Guinea Pond Trail starts off
to the right after the road starts to descend. It is marked. After about
six miles you will see an intersecting trail that goes off and down to the
right. When I was there the trail sign was down. Take this trail and after
about a mile you will be at Joses bridge. There is parking here.
I made a loop by parking on Sandwich Notch Road at the intersection of the
dirt roads a couple of miles out of Center Sandwich and biking up the Notch
Road to the trail. At Joses bridge I followed the dirt road out until I came
to route 113a (two rights on the hardtop). You can take 113a to 113 and into
Center Sandwich. I'd guess the total distance was about 20 miles and with
the stops and exploring it all took about 4 hours.
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| 1325.6 | Highwater Trail | DELNI::B_FLANNERY | Running in Cycles | Mon Oct 16 1989 15:01 | 31 |
| A really nice semi-secluded WMNF biking area is the Wild River Valley,
along the Maine-NH border. The Highwater Trail runs along the west side of
the river and the Wild River CG Road (dirt) runs along the east side, making
a loop of about 12 miles.
Take 113 south from US 2 in Gilead, Maine (just east of the NH border) or
113 north from Fryeburg, Maine, just east of Conway. Park at the lot where
the road to the Wild River Campground begins. It's about 4 hours from Boston
either way. As with all remote locations in WMNF, keep valuables out of
sight in cars.
Cross the footbridge over the Wild River, and the Highwater trail takes
off on the left. It is a fairly wide, rolling trail, and extends about
six miles along the Wild River to Spider Bridge. The trail crosses many
small brooks, and goes through pine and hardwood forests. There are a number
of other connecting trails good for exploring.
Take the Wild River (dirt) Road back to the lot or retrace along the HW Trail.
If I had a mountain bike, this would be the route I'd bike because it's
unlikely to conflict with hikers, the trail is wide but challenging,
erosion impact should be minimal, and there's lots of places to explore.
In years of hiking the trail, the only other "hikers" I met have had
four legs and antlers.
Check out trail descriptions in the AMC White Mountain Guide there's a lot
of variety in the area, and shorter loop trails are quite heavily used by
scout troops, etc. The AMC map for the area is the "Carter-Mahoosuc."
Some nice views of the Carters are possible by scrambling up the Roost, across
113 from the parking lot.
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