John Stavros updated the club on his work with the St. George based Dixie Mountain Bike Trails Association. DMBTA is a trail advocacy organization started by Cimarron Chacon. John was asked by Cimarron to join the association’s board of directors as the CCCC’s representative. Below are the Organization’s goals:

-work collaterally with government and private entities and other trail organizations

-achieve a world class trail network that provides opportunities for all abilities, interests, and skill levels

-assist in the planning, design, and construction of new trails and trail opportunities in the area
assist in maintaining current and future trails infrastructure, including preserving the trail objectives for which each trail was created

-educate current and future mountain bikers and other trails users on proper etiquette and trail sustainability

-provide the opportunity for community ownership in the trails system, including adopt-a-trail programs, scout and church projects, and other volunteer opportunities

The hope is that CCCC and it’s members will help with both the organization’s trail advocacy goals and upcoming trail maintenance, and hopefully new trail construction. John suggested that the club make a donation to DMBTA, and the members present voted to donate 1000.00 to this organization. Half of this money was actually donated to the club by Cimarron 3 years ago to be used for work on the Little Creek Mesa trails.

Upcoming club rides were also planned and will be added to the club’s calendar. Below is a list of some of these bike rides. Since only one road rider was present at the meeting the road riding schedule will have to come later-

Feb 18-The JEM 
March 24- Gander Trail
April 27,28- Little Creek Campout
July 13,14-Navajo Lake Campout
August 24,25-Rainbow Rim Campout

Steve and I we took on the challenge and rode the Duncan Springs Historic Trail located north of the town of New Harmony. According to Marian Jacklin of the Forest Service this trail was made prior to 1905. This makes it a Historic Trail. Marian says “It is a Hellasiously Steep Bugger,” and its main purpose was to get to a spring. In the old days, “Duncan Springs” was the only water source for miles.
We made this ride a 30 mile loop by starting in the town of New Harmony and riding up the canyon to the summit, then down past the Historic Grants Ranch. From there, we went over to the Page House Ranch which is another Utah Historical Landmark. Then up the Pinto Road about four miles to the North Trail head. This is across the road from the trail head of some must see Indian pictographs. From there we went up and over the mountain and back down the other side to the South Trailhead. We had the good fortune of doing this on a beautiful fall day and the leaves and views from the top were spectacular. It is a “Hellasiously” steep trail in sections and so we did about a mile of hike a biking. The rest is very ride-able and the downhill on the south side was super fun!!! This is a technical ride – so be prepared!!! Also be prepared for some bushwacking.
Kendall Benson a former resident of New Harmony said this trail was also used to connect the old Ranches – Pages Ranch, Woolsey Ranch, and Grants Ranch. It is mainly used now days for hiking and hunting. The Pine Valley District has been doing clean up on the trail and posted new signs at the trail heads. It is very easy to find and was a fun adventure, not to mention a historical experience. And now that we have made you want to go ride it – too bad! You’ll have to wait until spring. But go check out other historic trails in your area and around the nation and add some variation to your mountain biking.
Your new V.P. – Holly Hadley

Click here more photos of this trail.

The shortest route is on hwy 22 which begins on hwy 89 about 1.5 miles east of Fredonia. This is not a well marked road so keep an eye out. It’s paved for a while but then turns to gravel. After about 40 miles or so, turn onto FR 206. From the junction of FDR 206 and 271, follow FDR 271 for 5 miles to FDR 271A, turn right and follow FDR 271A for 3 miles.

Camping is primitive with no facilities of any kind. Bring everything you need.

Click here for the map to the camping area-

Cleared section of the VRRT (Webster's Flat to Te'ah)

High altitude, that is. Ron Rodriguez of the US Forest Service reports that Webster Flat to Teah is clear of snow and fallen trees as of July 1. Navajo Lake is supposed to be ready now, too. We’re not sure of Woods Ranch up to Webster but I’ll bet some local riders will be checking it out this weekend. Be sure to leave a post if you ride and let everyone know the conditions you found.
There are thousands of trees down from the hard winter so the effort to get these trails open was epic. If you see a Forest Service person out there, give them a big Thank You.

JULY 17 UPDATE from John and Steve: What a difference 2 weeks makes. All the snow is gone and the hard-working USFS crews have cleared all the trees from the Navajo Lake Loop and the Webster-to-Teah leg of the VRRT. Good effort, guys! Now summer is really here. Ron reports that the whole VRRT should be good now.

JULY 2 UPDATE from John and Holly: It’s not quite all ridable yet.

• The Navajo Loop is clear of trees except for the section from the water tank down to the Lodge Trail intersection. However, in that small section, the downed trees are so dense, we scrambled down to the road rather than hack and slash our way around them.
• Also, there are several patches of snow on the south side that, while they interrupt your ride, are easy to walk over or around. They’re getting smaller every day.
• The road that connects the far end of the lake to the beginning of the Teah-to-Webster section of the trail is completely blocked by a couple of dozen trees. The entrance to the trail also has several downed trees and we did not do down the trail very far.
• We climbed up the Lodge trail until it became stupid (not very far). No one has started clearing downed trees there yet and snow patches abound in shady areas.
• The water is high but we’ve seen it higher. The lava section (covered in a prior wet year) is open and in good shape. The dike is under 9 or 10 feet of water and the lodge has waves lapping at their entrance. Much of their signs and access are under water.

The Forest Service folks have their work cut out for them. There are a staggering number of downed trees throughout the forest and its worth going up just to see it all.
Bottom line: The north side is in perfect shape and if you’re willing to scramble around snow and fallen trees, you can have a fun ride on other areas.

The wrong date (May 14) was printed in Cycling Utah for the date of the Color Country Century.  It was decided to print something up in the newsletter to correct it.  For non-club members, it was determined not to be an issue because there was no starting place given.  Anyone who wanted information was to call Brian or Quinn, at which time the date would be corrected and other information given.

Our President had requested bringing the use of headphones / earphones to the table for club rides.  It was decided unanimously that headphones / earphones are not allowed on club rides.

The party and barbeque that Stu had proposed at the April meeting was brought up.  Since Stu was not present, the BBQ was tabled until later.

Chad Horman reported on multi-use trails planned for Cedar City.  First on the docket is the East Bench Trail (from approximately the water tank on third east to the Wal Mart area) to be constructed this summer.  Additional trails to be completed will include from the ball diamonds by the golf course out to the existing trail in Fiddler’s Canyon area followed by a trail behind Lefty’s Hideout.  The master plan in place allows pursuit of various grants.

Membership renewals were received for Michelle and Chuck Taylor and Merrick Taylor.

Upcoming ride of note:

Killer Loop – on July 16

The June 8 club meeting will be held at the Park Discovery at 7:00 pm to enable the kids to be better entertained while we meet.