MOUNTAIN BIKING AT THE MT. SHASTA SKI PARK

On Wednesday, May 30, 2018, I attended “Shop Appreciation Day” at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park.  It was arranged for owners and employees of sports stores, as well as a few members of trail and mt. bike organizations to learn about the mt. biking possibilities at the Ski Park.

 

We loaded our bikes on the lifts, then sped down the Beginners’ Trail, the Flow Trail, and the Downhill Course.  There are loads of trail features, including big bermed turns, jumps, ramps, The Wall Ride, doubles, a teeter totter, and a massive curved ramp jump (many of which this old dude didn’t attempt).  The Flow Trail and Downhill Trail have been outfitted with sprinklers to keep the dirt firm and the dust down.  There are a number of other trails (Perimeter, Back-Side Douglas, etc.) which traverse larger expanses of the park that we didn’t have time to try, but we did have an absolute blast.

The Ski Park has invested a load of money and employee time to create a really fun experience for mountain bikers.  Please consider supporting this effort by buying a summer season pass ($130) or a day pass ($32) and seeing the park in a completely new way.  The park is open on Saturdays and Sundays from now until September.

Thanks to Taylor Russell (Bike Park Manager) and Richard Coots (General Manager) for the guided tours, lunch (with beer!), and their hospitality.  Yes, they served us beer and sent us back out there on the Downhill Course!  Thanks to the trail crew for all their efforts: James, Pat, Ben, and Chase.

SUMMARY OF MSTA ANNUAL MEETING 2018

The Mt. Shasta Trail Association held its annual meeting on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.  We offered a large variety of delicious catered food, terrific beer from Deschutes Brewery, and fantastic wine, all for free.  If you missed it, it’s most definitely not our fault, but you can start planning for next year’s meeting now.

Attendees enjoyed socializing with new and old friends, then were updated on numerous events and projects that MSTA is promoting.  PowerPoint presentations were given on the following:

  1. Progress on the much-anticipated Gateway Phase II Trail, a 45-mile expansion of the popular Gateway Phase I Trail network.
  2. Very exciting news on the work to create a safe trail to Mossbrae Falls. The trail would cross the river at Hedge Creek Falls (via suspension bridge) and then travel along the river about 20 feet below the RR tracks.
  3. The plan to make Mt. Shasta the first Pacific Crest Trail “Trail Town.” A celebration of this designation will occur on July 21, 2018.
  4. Rules and etiquette for trail interactions between hikers, bikers, and horseback riders.
  5. Completion of the conservation easement on Rainbow Ridge by the Siskiyou Land Trust, which will conserve almost 500 acres of forest and opens up future trail opportunities. Trails on Rainbow Ridge may ultimately connect to the Lake Siskiyou Trail and the PCT.
  6. Planned expansion and improvement of the Parks Creek Trailhead, an important portal to the PCT.
  7. New collaborations between BikeShasta (Mt. Shasta Mountain Bike Association) and the Mt. Shasta Trail Association.
  8. Five suggestions for new trails that would link other important trails together and enhance the experience while traveling those trails.
  9. Numerous trail maintenance and trash clean-up projects accomplished by the trail crew over the past year.

If you’re kicking yourself for missing the meeting (and the free grub and booze), and want to get involved, send us an email to mtshastatrail@gmail.com or a message through our website, mountshastatrailassociation.org.  You can also join our trail crew for work projects.

Many thanks to Deschutes Brewery for the beer and Joe and Michael Wirth for the wine!

Fun Morning At Spring Hill Trailhead With The Boy Scouts

Please join the Mt. Shasta Trail Association and the Boy Scouts for a morning of maintenance at the Spring Hill Trailhead on June 2 at 9 am.  The weeds will be about 3-4 ft. high, so we’ll weed-whack, trim, rake and remove the debris.  If you have a weed-whacker or rake to bring, go ahead, but we’ll have a lot of tools.

The Boy Scouts are providing drinks during the morning, and sandwiches for lunch.  If a half dozen volunteers show up from MSTA, we’ll make short work of this.

Come on out and make some new friends.

If coming north on Mt. Shasta Blvd., turn right on Ski Village Dr., stop at the stop sign, and go straight about 50 yards and you can’t miss it.  If coming south from the freeway (N. Mt. Shasta exit), turn left on Ski Village and do the same.  If confused on the location, google Spring Hill Trail and look at the map.

JH

MSTA Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 23, at 6 pm

Please join the Mount Shasta Trail Association on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Sisson Museum for our annual meeting.  We’ll review the considerable progress made on the following important projects:

 

  1. The Gateway Phase 2 Trail proposal, a 45-mile addition to the existing 10.7 miles of the existing Gateway network on national forest lands.
  2. Work to create a safe trail to Mossbrae Falls (yes, it’s mind-bending to think this might happen).
  3. Numerous work parties to maintain trails and clean up messes left by those who can’t be named.
  4. The plan to make Mt. Shasta the first official Trail Town on the Pacific Crest Trail.
  5. Further expansion and improvement of the City Park to Downtown Greenway Trail.
  6. Efforts to construct a permanent bridge across the Lake Siskiyou Delta and create a formal trail through the campground.

 

There will be short presentations by mystery guests on multiple topics—if they exceed their time limit, they’ll get the hook.  We want you to stay awake!

 

Beer, wine, and appetizers will be served at 6 pm, with socializing from 6 to 7, if you possess the skills.

 

Program from 7 pm to 8 pm.  Home by 8:20.  No lie.

 

PROP 68 COULD PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MANY OF THE PROJECTS WE PROPOSE AND PROMOTE

——– Forwarded message ———-

From: Laura Cohen <policy@railstotrails.org>

Date: Mon, May 14, 2018 at 1:33 PM

Subject: Prop. 68 invests in trails!

To: Drew Dupuy <drew@railstotrails.org>

As you may know, Proposition 68 is going to the statewide ballot on June 5. Prop. 68 is a $4.1 billion bond that will improve and expand state, regional and neighborhood parks, restore and protect our coast and rivers, protect our drinking water and prepare for future droughts.   It’s been 15 years since California last passed a major park bond! What you may not know is that Prop. 68 – informally known as the Parks, and Natural Resources Water Bond  – will also invest in trails and greenways. If approved, Prop 68 could mean tens of millions of dollars or more for trails in California! 

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy worked closely with other advocates and lawmakers to help pass the Clean Water and Parks Act (Senate Bill 5) out of the Legislature to qualify it for the ballot in June, and to ensure the measure would invest in trails and active transportation along with other recreational facilities — especially in disadvantaged communities. We also serve on the Board of the Californians for Clean Water and Safe Parks committee working to pass the referendum.  

Prop. 68 contains trail-specific language, specifically allocating $30 million for competitive grants for nonmotorized infrastructure that promotes access to parks and other recreational facilities “to encourage health-related active transportation” and additional competitive grants for parks that includes trail eligibility. Notably, the initiative places a specific focus on improving neighborhoods with the greatest need for parks, trails and open space. 

We want to encourage you to take the following actions: 

1.                   formally endorse Prop. 68 (as an organization, individual, or both); 

2.                   Spread the word to your partners and members to support Prop. 68 through social media, and your other communications channels; 

3.                   Please let us know the steps you’re taking in support of Prop. 68 so we can report back to the campaign managers on progress (send an email to: drew@railstotrails.org

Clearly, the Parks, Environment, and Water Bond is a huge opportunity to improve Californians’ access to parks and water – but what’s not as obvious from the title is that its funding for trails means it should also be important to advocates for biking, walking, public health, and land use.  

Voting by mail starts early, so the time to act is now!  You can follow and like Prop. 68 on Facebook and Twitter in order to follow the conversation. 

Read more about Prop. 68 on our blog post, and remember to spread the word to your partner organizations that Proposition 68 on the June 5 ballot will create vibrant communities where everyone has access to parks, trails and clean water. 

Sincerely, 

Laura Cohen 

Western Regional Director 

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

MORE FUN AT THE SISKIYOU LAND TRUST ON WEDNESDAY

On Wed., May 2, at 9 am, Jack Moore and I will be doing some more spruce-up at the Siskiyou Land Trust property (522 Alma, across the street from Sisson School).  We could use a couple other volunteers to lop, drag, stack, rake, etc.  Come for an hour. 

It’ll be so much fun you won’t be able to stand it.

JH

New Guidebook — Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Trails

Our own John Soares has a new book coming out in early May entitled Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps RegionsIt’s a book you’ll want to include on your bookshelf.

In addition to the Mount Shasta area, it includes dozens of trails in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the Redding area.

The book publishes May 1 and will be available at local bookstores, outdoor stores, and visitor centers shortly thereafter. You can preorder the book online now: here are the preorder options.

And here’s the main link on John’s Northern California Hiking Trails blog with more information on the trails covered and how to purchase the book:

https://northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com/blog/day-hiking-mount-shasta-lassen-trinity-alps-trails/