Why is the Green’s Creek Motorcycle and Mountain Bike Trail Project Important? A short perspective from Derrick Nehrenberg (an admitted mountain biker) Locals may or may not know that Green’s Creek is quietly gaining a reputation as the premier Monarch Crest Area Trail, especially for the enduro mountain bike sect. In just under 7 miles, Green’s Creek drops over 3,000 feet along the most technical stretch of trail off the Monarch Crest Trail. The terrain calls for a technical trail and Green’s Creek delivers the goods. Riders I have spoken to in Fruita and Crested Butte who ride the trail are a little terrified that Green’s Creek will lose its character through a multi-year Southwest Conservation Core (SCC) remodelling process coordinated with the Forest Service. This was also my first reaction. However, I have ridden the SCC’s revamped section in the lower ~3 miles, and I have to say that overall, I have been really impressed with the changes. It has become a much more sure-footed and faster trail. There are some great changes and many of the good ones are not too far from great. My Grandma has long advised that “the difference between good and great is a little more effort.” In my few years of experience building trails, I have learned a very simple lesson regarding the difference between a good trail and a great trail: it boils down to whether or not riders were involved in the effort. I am certain the same rule applies for motorcyclist. Without a doubt, motorcycle trails are critical to mountain bikers’ well-being. Motorcycle trails top the list of mountain bikers’ favorite trails all around. Do I really even need to name them? OK, Monarch Crest, Rainbow, Canyon Creek, Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman’s (Crested Butte), Slickrock (Moab), Butterknife (Grand Junction). That list alone begins to obligate mountain bikers to the task of caring for some motorcycle trails. Moreover, it also means motorcycle and mountain bikers should naturally be good collaborators, and together could create a stronger, positive voice for singletrack trails. Green’s Creek is in the middle of a multiyear SCC and Forest Service revamp. Now is the time for motorcyclists and mountain bikers to give a little more effort to enhance the rideability of Green’s Creek by doing everything in their power to help maximize riding pleasure out of the planned changes. If it’s done right, I firmly believe Green’s Creek will top the list of favorite motorcycle and mountain bike multi-use trails in Colorado. Green’s Creek can become both a more sustainable and more pleasurable trail to ride with just a little more effort. The Green’s Creek Project will be held Saturday, June 29th, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at the top of Green’s Creek. Friday night camping at the top of Marshall Pass is optional. Michael McGovern of Monumental Adventures is catering all the food. The aim of the project is fix a creeky corner in a way that turns a big trail problem into a memorable, pleasure-inducing trail feature. And, there is much interest from the Forest Service and mountain bike and motorcycle trail user groups in gauging the project’s success. RSVP here: https://docs.google/forms/d/1jGQ9RZI1cDccmL9ZvCJYG4-5WggQiXz5s49f50miqe0/viewform Thanks for reading.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:08:30 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015