04 Dec 09, 10:36 am
Education is key. That's what my newsletter is all about. Often times trail users do things that irritate other trail users but have no idea how they are affecting the other trail users. The more trail users know about each other's needs, the easier it is to work together.
The main problem with O'Connor Creek Trail is that much of it is in boggy lowland. A trail drag might help. I'm not familiar with them enough to know how effective they are in such a situation. My gut feeling is that it wouldn't work well. I had a nice conversation last night with Cory Bellows of the Fairbanks Offroad Lions Club. I told him that ultimately I think the trail needs to be rerouted to higher ground.
But the other problem is that people who like to mud-bog need places to do it so that they aren't negatively impacting others. I talked to one guy at the borough Parks and Rec and he agreed, but their resources are limited. They've got their hands full right now with other projects. I hope they can address that in the future and will encourage them to do so.
As to TJVigilante's comment about mushing in the mud, the problem with O'Connor Creek Trail and others is that it takes a while up here before we get enough snowfall to smooth out the ruts. Sometimes weeks, sometimes months. Once we get enough snow, then it's fine. I know about your trail groomer and I mentioned it in one of my earlier newsletters. You guys deserve praise for that consideration to others.
I realize you guys don't represent all offroaders in the community, but you and the other two groups are the best place to start a conversation. (I posted my comment on the other two groups' sites, too.) My assumption is that all organized trail users are responsible trail users, but sometimes we just don't realize how we are affecting others. That doesn't mean we necessarily change what we're doing (for example, I don't expect mushers to clean up all the poop in the trail just because some people accidently ski over it), but if we understand each other better, I think we can all get along better.
Geez, I've gone on long enough. Thanks for all your efforts in being good trail stewards and practicing Tread Lightly.
Eric
The main problem with O'Connor Creek Trail is that much of it is in boggy lowland. A trail drag might help. I'm not familiar with them enough to know how effective they are in such a situation. My gut feeling is that it wouldn't work well. I had a nice conversation last night with Cory Bellows of the Fairbanks Offroad Lions Club. I told him that ultimately I think the trail needs to be rerouted to higher ground.
But the other problem is that people who like to mud-bog need places to do it so that they aren't negatively impacting others. I talked to one guy at the borough Parks and Rec and he agreed, but their resources are limited. They've got their hands full right now with other projects. I hope they can address that in the future and will encourage them to do so.
As to TJVigilante's comment about mushing in the mud, the problem with O'Connor Creek Trail and others is that it takes a while up here before we get enough snowfall to smooth out the ruts. Sometimes weeks, sometimes months. Once we get enough snow, then it's fine. I know about your trail groomer and I mentioned it in one of my earlier newsletters. You guys deserve praise for that consideration to others.
I realize you guys don't represent all offroaders in the community, but you and the other two groups are the best place to start a conversation. (I posted my comment on the other two groups' sites, too.) My assumption is that all organized trail users are responsible trail users, but sometimes we just don't realize how we are affecting others. That doesn't mean we necessarily change what we're doing (for example, I don't expect mushers to clean up all the poop in the trail just because some people accidently ski over it), but if we understand each other better, I think we can all get along better.
Geez, I've gone on long enough. Thanks for all your efforts in being good trail stewards and practicing Tread Lightly.
Eric
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