Trail Report: May 19, 2018

Hinton Bike Park

Just a heads up: pine beetle crews are still present in and around the bike park.  Please avoid any flagged or signed areas while they complete their work. They are falling trees and are very active.  Thanks for your patience while they complete this important work.  Other than that, the bike park is dry and rideable.   Tuesday, May 22, HMBA will be doing maintenance in the park starting at 7pm.  Hope you can join us!

---

Happy Creek Trail System

Trails are in rideable condition!  Just a few soft spots to watch out for.  So as always, please ride with care and be conscious of muddy or soft spots.  Avoid going around wet/muddy spots - this results in trail widening.  Walking your bike through these questionable sections is always a good alternative!

---

Jack's Trail System

On May 15, 2018, the Board of the HMBA voted to downgrade this trail system as "unsanctioned".   A lot of clearing and fire smarting has happened in this area and the trails are very difficult/impossible to find.  Upper trails are still "untouched", but getting there will be tricky.  Ride at your own risk!

---

Gasifier

Access Road to Gasifier

Gasifier is good to go! But the road to the top may still need some drying out. The snow is probably gone, but there may still be water/mud puddles on the road.  4x4 vehicle highly recommended.

---

HMBA Downgrades Jack's Trails to "Unsanctioned"

IMPORTANT NOTICE!

Jack's Trails now "Unsanctioned"

On May 15, 2018, the HMBA Board or Directors had to make the decision to downgrade the Jacks Trail System to "Unsanctioned".  This means that the trail is no longer maintained by the Hinton Mountain Bike Association.  Riders ride at their own risk!

In early Spring of 2018, extensive clearing occurred in the lower areas of the trail system which ultimately erased and/or damaged the trails.  The area is also slated for future development.  The Board decided that it will focus on the Hinton Bike Park and Happy Creek Trail System moving forward.

Trail Report: May 10, 2018

Hinton Bike Park

Just a heads up: pine beetle crews are hard at work in and around the bike park right now. Please avoid the area for the interim while they complete their work. They are falling trees and are very active. This is particularly true in and around the new trail (Pembina Sprockids Trail) by the park and just west of the drop zone, slope wars and Fo shore. Thanks for your patience while they complete this important work.

---

Happy Creek Trail System

Most trails are in rideable condition!  Just a few soft spots to watch out for on Bighorn and Just Give'r.  The connecting double-track trail between Happy Creek East and Slow Cooker (south end) is messy/muddy.

Please ride with care and be conscious of muddy or soft spots.  Avoid going around wet/muddy spots - this results in trail widening.  Walking your bike through these questionable sections is always a good alternative!

---

Jack's Trail System

If you are not familiar with this trail system, it is best to avoid it.  A lot of clearing and fire smarting is happening in this area and the trails are very difficult/impossible to find.

---

Gasifier

Access Road to Gasifier

Gasifier is about 98% ready too! But the road to the top may still need some drying out. So if you like pushing your bike up hill, it's good to go!

---

Trail Report: May 3, 2018

Hinton Bike Park

Please avoid the bike park's Dirt Jumps, Skills Area and Flow Master until further notice.

---

Happy Creek Trail System

Outer trails are drying up nice!! Just get there, The J, Cleo's, Halloween Connector, Halloween, west happy are all 98% dry, ready to ride. 

---

Jack's Trail System

No trail reports available.

---

Gasifier

Access Road to Gasifier

Gasifier is about 98% too! But the road to the top still has a lot of snow on parts. So if you like pushing your bike up hill, it's good to go!

---

Jack's Trail System Report

Trail highlighted in yellow.

"Dan's Deadly Downhill", part of the upper loop of Jack's Trail System, has many downed trees and debris across the trail. Pine beetle infected trees, pine beetle abatement work and strong winds have contributed to the debris. Please stay on the lower loops until the trail has been cleared up. Thanks!

Update on Jack's

Last November, students and instructors from the NAIT Forest Technology Program began a harvest project around the Jack’s Trail System, specifically Christine’s Cutline Cruise and Dan’s Deadly Downhill. They had contacted HMBA as part of the formal notification process for groups/interests in the area, a process managed by the Province to minimize conflicts on the land base.

View fullsize

The NAIT project is clearly visible from .Christine's Cutline Cruise".  They did a great job of removing debris from the trail. It's a little wet but good overall (see header photo)

---

Note the harvest block (yellow) indicated on the above map. Even though the project occured over winter, trails were buffered up to 30 meters and caution signage was placed. NAIT will also inspect trails for any unlikely debris.

Did you know that the NAIT Forestry Program performs a “Cache Percott–Give Back”? Upon completion of their field camps, 30 students cleaned-up around the Cache Percott Forest, removing general garbage i.e. dumped couches, washing machines, garden detritus, household garbage etc.   AWESOME!!, thanks NAIT!

---

BIG THANKS! to whoever cut all the downed trees over winter. There's a few new ones down but overall Jack's is riding great and surprisingly dry.

Inventory of Directional Trail Maps

HMBA needs your assistance!!

Our 1ft x 1ft directional trail signs (see images below) are out of date and need to be updated/replaced.  However, we need to know how many are out there, or need to be out there - and WHERE they are.  YOU can help by participating in a member-sourced inventory.  Using your smartphones and linking to this form via your web browser (with GPS enabled), enter the info at the location of existing directional signs - or at locations where you think there should really be one! Unfortunately, we cannot put them everywhere ($$), so select the most optimal locations. THANK YOU!!

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Bike Park and Happy Creek Trails are priorities at this time.

About the form

Note: please click on the 'get GPS location' button a few times until the accuracy is within 5-10m.  Thanks!!

Early Spring Trail Report

Bike Park

With the good weather and recent winds the Bike Park is drying up fast. There are still some critical wet areas and subsequent rutting from riders  who are too impatient to wait it out. The ground is still frozen and spring showers are sure to come.

The strong winds also present a hazard with unstable trees in many areas of the areas of the Park. Several of these trees will have to be professionally removed and this may take time.

If favorable conditions hold throughout the week, there will be a basic maintenance day on Saturday April 18th. This will include garbage cleanup, removing debris from the trails, raking leaves and debris from drainages and raking out the unfortunate new ruts.

Stayed tuned on our website calendar for upcoming maintenance dates!

When conditions are poor, you will see signs like these at the Hinton Bike Park.

---

Trail Systems

Happy Creek

The Happy Creek trail system has seen high use in the last couple of weeks with favorable temperatures and rapidly melted snow pack.

There are still a few areas with snow/ice and lots of wet problem areas throughout, especially Happy Creek East and Just Giver.  All other trails are in awesome early season shape. 

Downed trees on Slowcooker were cleared this weekend.

Jack's

Report from Jack's Trails of downed trees and wet areas in the obvious spots.

As always, please let us know your trail feedback. Keep us informed on trail conditions and maintenance so we can pass it on to others.   

See you at the AGM!