U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASE
Twin Falls BLM
Twin Falls BLM
| Contacts: | Heather Tiel-Nelson (208) 736-2352 |
New Trail Projects Reach Completion
SHOSHONE, ID – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Shoshone Field Office recently finished two trails projects specifically designed and built for mountain bikers. "The trail is called Punchline and is like no other trail in the valley, and possibly the region," said BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner John Kurtz. "Punchline is a 1.3-mile flow trail offering a unique experience where each turn links into the next; each jump has a durable, safe and confidence-inspiring landing; and each raised feature is placed in a location that 'flows' with the trail leading into it."
The trail allows for a variety of skill levels but is designed for more intermediate to advanced riders. As Tony Boone from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) states, “Punchline is a fantastic all-mountain trail incorporating some cross country trail leading to technical rock features that transition into two flow sections that command your attention”. It is a one-way trail that is best accessed from the Croy Creek Trailhead.
The other trail project consisted of rerouting 0.5 miles of the Two Dog trail. "The reroute provides a more sustainable and user-friendly trail from Democrat gulch to the Croy trail network," Kurtz said.
The BLM established an Assistance Agreement with IMBA to assist with construction. They provided three of the best trail builders in the country that specialize in constructing flow trails. The BLM also brought in Tom McCown, a BLM employee out of Hollister, California, to help with construction. "Tom, a skilled trail builder, used a Sweco trail dozer to build and shape the initial trail tread and features," Kurtz said. "Experienced and talented trail builders along with the help of some BLM fire crew members, recreation staff and a few volunteers allowed the projects to be built ahead of schedule." This allowed IMBA to help refine some of the trail features found on the Centerline and Bullion Connector trails along with overseeing some maintenance of the Hidden Valley loop.
“We are very fortunate to be working with the BLM to help put the finishing touches on the Croy trail network," said Chris Bernhardt, IMBA’s Director of Consulting Services. "The BLM continues to set the standard for bike-specific trails on federal lands, and the Croy trail network is a national model for other communities where wildlands interface with heavy recreation use. We are proud of our partnership with the BLM.”
The construction project was paid for by revenue generated from Special Recreation Permit fees. See the new Blaine County Recreation District Trails and Pathways website for maps and detailed information regarding these trails: http://trails.bcrd.org/index.php. The new website provides a clearinghouse of information regarding all trails in the Wood River Valley.
For more information, contact John Kurtz at (208) 732-7296.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.