Volume IV, Issue V THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 19 June 15, 2001 Trail Opportunities on the Ogden Ranger District Note: This trail guide will identify the opportunities for trail use on the Forest Service system of trails on the Ogden Ranger District. Other trails on state, county or private lands exist. Please be aware of land ownership and respect private property and ask permission first. Any trail questions, or comments can be directed to Forest Service Trail Manager Anthony Botello at 801-625-5112 or abbotello@fs.fed.us. Well, it seems summer is finally here. We are experiencing a dry spring and warmer than normal temperatures. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should not be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms including rain, wind, and lightning. Be aware of changing weather conditions and be especially careful of exposure to lightning. During a thunderstorm, do not stand on exposed hillsides, meadows, or ridges. Make sure you are not the tallest thing in the vicinity. If a storm cell is directly overhead, crouch in a timbered area, below the ridge top and avoid standing near lone, tall trees. Although it has been dry, springtime can be especially damaging to trails. Any type of use on a wet trail can cause long-standing damage. Please do your part to respect the trail and cause minimal damage. Horses, mountain bikes, and even hikers can cause damage merely by using the trail during a wet time. If the trail you are using is wet, make sure you travel in the center or “inside” of the trail tread. Hiking or riding on the outside of the trail causes the trail to break down and eventually create multiple, braided trails. Steep trails should be avoided until surface dries, thus minimizing surface erosion and deep “gullying”. TrailheadsAll trailheads in the upper Ogden Valley area are open. Trails- All trails listed are designated “non-motorized” except Skyline. Use of motorized vehicles is strictly prohibited (except on Skyline). Please call or email for location of other motorized trails. Wheeler Creek- The main trail from Wheeler Creek Trailhead to Art Nord is open and dry. The trail surface is good and now is a good time to use this trail. The portion from Art Nord to Maples is open, snow free and drying. This trail is still a bit wet in some areas and horses, mountain bikers and hikers are asked to limit use on wet areas. The Forest Service Trail crew has been over this trail and cleared obstructions. However, heavy maintenance and reconstruction work will be done later in June and throughout the summer. This trail is accessed by Wheeler Creek, Art Nord Trailhead or Snow Basin’s Olympic Parking. Skyline- The Forest Service trail crew is currently working on this trail from North Ogden Divide south. Heavy maintenance and reconstruction of the tread will make this trail smoother and less rocky. This trail is open to the top, but some drifts are still hanging in the shaded areas of the Skyline Ridge. If you make it to where you can see, excellent vistas of the Ogden Valley and the Wasatch Front can be had from this trail. Access from North Ogden Divide or Pineview Trailhead. North Ogden- The Pioneer trail is open from Liberty to North Ogden. This trail was damaged at the top last year by the work done on the powerline right of way. This is scheduled for reconstruction this summer. The west side of this trail is open and dry from the top to North Ogden. This trail is accessed by North Ogden Divide or Mountain Road at 3100 N. in North Ogden. Pineview West- This trail is dry and in very good condition. The hardend trail surface wintered well, but the Dyers Woad is trying to encroach on the trail. North Arm Wildlife Trail- This trail was cleared of brush this spring by the Forest Service trail crew. This trail is in the best shape it has been in years. A great loop system for persons with disabilities, kids or just to view some wildlife. North Fork Park- Trails that originate in North Fork Park are co-managed by Weber County Parks and Ogden Ranger District. Ben Lomond and Cutler Basin trails on the east side of the ridge still have some snow in spots, but most are accessible. Please call Weber County Parks for more information on camping, and on trails in this park. Middle Fork Trails – Land ownership in the Middle Fork of the Ogden River is checker boarded and can be St. Florence Catholic Community MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAY MASS: Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. followed by The Rosary Phone: 745-LORD Huntsville, Utah PASTORAL ADMINISTRATOR: Fr. Charles Cummins 399-9531 RECONCILIATION: 30 minutes before Mass Come celebrate with us God’s good news. Intersection of Highway 39 & Snowbasin Road confusing. Private, State and National Forest lands all exist and most land near the bottom is private. Please know land ownership and always ask permission first. This area is a vital winter range for big game and these animals will begin to calf/fawn in the next few months. They are extra susceptible to stress during the early spring, please respect wildlife in this area. Dispersed RecreationSome damage was done to the Yurt in Wheeler Creek, so it will be removed. Please call Anthony Botello for more information on the location of the Yurt at 801-625-5112 or email abbotello@fs.fed.us. Trail Planning- Currently the Ogden Ranger District is finishing a substantial planning effort to analyze alternatives for trail reconstruction; new trail construction and whole trail system additions in and around Wheeler Creek and Snowbasin. This draft environmental assessment has been available for public review and comment for a few months now. A final decision is expected by the end of May. If you are interested in reviewing the draft, we ask that you review an electronic copy that will be available on our Forest Service website at:www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/wheeler_creek /index.htm or request a copy of the executive summary. Calling All Cubs! If you or your son is interested in Cub Scouting, we invite you to check out Ogden Valley's Community Cub Scout Pack #745 sponsored by the St. Florence Catholic Church. We have opportunities for all boys going into grades 2-5 to have fun and to get started on the path to Boy Scouts. We are recruiting now for our summer and 2001-2002 school year program. Please call 745-6261 for more information about our scouting program and how to get involved. Huntsville 4th of July Schedule 6:00 a.m. 6:15 a.m. 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:40 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:10 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Wake up call Registration for mini marathon Mini marathon begins Breakfast in the park Flag raising ceremony F-16s fly over Parade (Theme: “Huntsville Welcomes the World”) F-16s Fly over Patriotic program in L.D.S. church Auction Entertainment begins Pet show Candy bomber Junior rodeo Evening program Music and dance in the park Fireworks For information, call: Auction: Mark Kendall Jim May Booths: Pauleen Maxwell Entertainment: Pat Songer Evening Program: Chris Bair Fireworks Donation: Rod Layton Mini Marathon: Dave Broderick Parade: Christine Mau Pet Show: Etta Baker Questions? Call 745-1234 or 641-7383. 745-0900, 745-2321 745-3191 745-3826 745-3627 745-3031 745-3631 745-3230 745-2697 745-6017