Gates closed = Single Track Dirt Trails Closed

Hey folks! 

This is a tough time of year for the single track dirt trails due to the weather.  Typically we see the most trail damage done at this time of the year just because some folks don't understand that using damp and muddy trails is not OK.  Just because it is 60F in December doesn't mean that the trails are ready to ride/hike/run.  If you see these wooden gates near the trail head closed that means that ALL of the single track dirt trails are closed.  If you are using the asphalt trails and happen to run into folks using the single track when these gates are closed, please give them a friendly reminder that all the single track is closed due to poor trail conditions. 

The most typical times that are OK to use the trails at this time of year is early in the morning when it is well below freezing.  Generally the trails will thaw in a few hours after sun rise.  It is very common for the air temperature to be 20F, but with the sun shining on the black dirt the trails will thaw and become muddy and unusable.  It's up to every user to be aware of the changing conditions and only use the trail system when the conditions allow.  

With everyone's help we can all work on keeping our trails systems in tip top shape through the winter and spring. 

Workday - Sunday 12/18/11 - 8 am

Who: Anyone that uses these single track trails
What: Trail Workday
Where: Smithville Lake Trails - Smoke N Davey Trail Head (W Hwy.)
When:  Sunday December 18, 2011  8:00 am - Noon (if you need to leave early that is no problem, an hour or two is better than zero)
Why: Because we have had an awesome year of riding/running these trails and it's time to do our part and keep these trails in tip top shape for more fun in the future.

See you there!

Winter Riding Tips!

ATTENTION TRAIL USERS: Please Read!

Please be aware of ever constantly changing conditions of the trails during the winter months. Often times the trail surface will be frozen and solid in the morning but thawed and wet during the afternoon. Also the trails can be frozen in the shaded areas, but muddy on south facing slopes or areas the direct sunlight reaches. Please note that if you are leaving tracks on the trails while hiking or riding or there is mud on your shoes or bike, then you are doing damage to the trail.

Sometimes it's best to just turn around and call it a day, as damage to the trail is very difficult to repair and all of the singletrack at Smithville is maintained by volunteers not the Land Manager.

Thank you for your help!

For more information on trail building, maintenance and etiquette please visit Earth Riders Trail Association's (ERTA) website!

Trails are closed this weekend for a managed hunt.

Just a reminder that the paved and dirt trails will be  closed this weekend.

Twice each year during the fall/winter season the Corp of Engineers closes the Mountain Biking, hiking and paved trails to conduct a managed deer hunt.

From the COE's website:

"The managed deer hunt is held each year during the last weekend of the fall firearms deer season. This year’s event will be held on November 19-20, 2011. The hunt is designed to provide a deer hunting opportunity for persons with permanent mobility impairments, with priority given to persons confined to wheelchairs. The hunt is fully catered with volunteers provided to assist the hunters in all aspects of the hunt, from transportation to field dressing.

The hunt is a very high quality hunting experience with great emphasis placed on safety, comfort and good hunting opportunity. There is no charge for the hunt, except all hunters must purchase a managed deer hunt tag.

Anyone interested in hunting or volunteering to assist a hunter should call the Smithville Lake Project Office at 816-532-0174 or E-mail our office at Smithville@usace.army.mil "

The dates of the second closing will be posted as the dates approach.

Great ERTA Workday - Thanks Everyone!

We had excellent weather and a turn out of about 12 trail volunteers for our first official workday this fall.  Nothing starts a workday off like a box of Ray's Donuts.  Thanks Aaron! 

With dry conditions the choices of items to work on were limited.  The rain earlier in the week helped to make the ground a little more pliable to work with, but it was still pretty hard.  The areas that were chosen to work on have been problem areas, but major undertakings to fix correctly due to the size of the materials needed to make the fixes work.  Half the group took on the walnut log feature on Lakeside Speedway affectionately known as "Shish Ka Bob's Log".  The other half fixed the "Pulpit" stairs. 

Pulpit log improvement

The finished product on Lakeside. The work crew gives it a thumbs up approval since the old crossing cost TW a few pins in his thumb earlier this summer.

 Part of the Pulpit crew putting the final touches on the keystone in the stair rebuild.

Both of these locations have been sites of trail vandalism.  In fact the log on Lakeside had been moved off the trail again on Saturday evening or Sunday morning just before the workday. We have made the request many times for trail users to either ride the feature that is on the designated single track or get off their bikes and walk over them.  We are hoping that the enhanced and improved features will be enjoyed by all and not be compromised by trail vandals.

Remember that all ERTA trails are built and maintained by a 100% volunteer effort.  Thanks again to all the volunteers that came out to give back to the trails that we enjoy all year.

Managed Deer Hunt 11/19-11/20 **TRAILS CLOSED**

Twice each year during the fall/winter season the Corp of Engineers closes the Mountain Biking, hiking and paved trails to conduct a managed deer hunt.

From the COE's website:

"The managed deer hunt is held each year during the last weekend of the fall firearms deer season. This year’s event will be held on November 19-20, 2011. The hunt is designed to provide a deer hunting opportunity for persons with permanent mobility impairments, with priority given to persons confined to wheelchairs. The hunt is fully catered with volunteers provided to assist the hunters in all aspects of the hunt, from transportation to field dressing.

The hunt is a very high quality hunting experience with great emphasis placed on safety, comfort and good hunting opportunity. There is no charge for the hunt, except all hunters must purchase a managed deer hunt tag.

Anyone interested in hunting or volunteering to assist a hunter should call the Smithville Lake Project Office at 816-532-0174 or E-mail our office at Smithville@usace.army.mil "

The dates of the second closing will be posted as the dates approach.