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Show THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 4 Volume IV, Issue I April 15, 2001 Trail Opportunities on the Ogden Ranger District 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 after a long winter, it seems spring is finally here. This time of the year always brings new opportunities and new challenges. While the Wasatch Front is experiencing warm, spring temperatures, the mountains still have a lot of snow and most trails are still inaccessible. Continue to be cautious during winter trail travel. Know that avalanche danger exists, carry snow shovel, probe pole and beacon. Do not travel in the backcountry alone, and tell others where you will be and when you will return. This time of the year 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 in order to cause minimal damage. Horses, mountain bikes and even hikers can cause damage merely by using the trail during the wrong 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 causes multiple, braided trails. Steep trails should be avoided until the surface dries, thus minimizing surface erosion and deep “gullying.” Trailheads- All plowing of trailheads has ceased for the year. Trailheads in the upper valley are open due to no new snow. Pineview, North Arm, Wheeler Creek, Art Nord, North Ogden Divide and Snowbasin parking areas are snow free and accessible. Trails- All trails listed are designated “nonmotorized” except Skyline. Use of motorized vehicles is strictly prohibited (except on Skyline). Please call or email for location of other motorized trails. Wheeler Creek- After a very successful winter of grooming for cross-country skiing, the Wheeler Creek trail will no longer be groomed. The snow is coming off fast and the days are warming. Good hiking/snowshoeing/skiing can still be enjoyed on this trail, but the south facing slopes are snow free and rocks and logs are appearing every day. As this trail begins to open, it will be very wet and muddy. Much damage to the trail is done by early season use. Please be aware of the trail condition and use common sense when in wild areas. A relatively slight amount of use at the wrong time of the year can cause long-term damage for the future. This trail is accessed by Art Nord Trailhead or Snow Basin’s Olympic Parking. Art Nord Drive- This is that portion of the Wheeler Creek Trail from Wheeler Creek Trailhead to Art Nord Trailhead. This trail was not groomed this winter, but was packed by heavy use. This trail will hold snow (or ice as the case may be), longer because it is in a deep canyon. Direct sunlight has been a rarity this winter, but is beginning to be more common. The south slopes of the canyon are baring up, but the north facing (west side) of the canyon still holds a lot of unstable snow. Please be aware of the Avalanche danger. This trail is accessed by Art Nord or Wheeler Creek Trailheads and is one way in and out, approximately 3.5 miles. Maples- The road from Snow Basin Ski area into the Maples campground was packed and groomed all winter. This grooming has stopped, and this road will begin to melt out. Good hiking or snow- shoeing is still available on this road for the next few weeks, depending on spring snowstorms. Vehicle travel will be prohibited into Maples campground again this year. This trail is accessed by Snow Basin’s Olympic Parking and campground loops can make a four mile round trip. Skyline- This trail was not groomed, but south exposures are open and with good boots and gaiters, long hikes on this trail are available. The first three miles from Pineview trailhead are south facing and are open. From North Ogden north toward Ben Lomond is opening, but shady areas still have snow. Please be cautious of avalanche danger. Once up trails are not open except for over snow travel. Please call Weber County Parks for more information on Camping and trails in this park. Middle Fork Trails – Land ownership in the Middle Fork of the Ogden River is checker boarded and can be 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. on top, there is still “feet” of snow and over snow travel will be difficult this time of year. 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 A winter warming Yurt is open for public use on the Wheeler Creek trail. This Yurt is first come first serve for day use but reservations must be made to use it overnight, until May 7. Please call Anthony Botello for reservations, or for more information on the location of the Yurt, at 801-625-5112 or email abbotello@fs.fed.us. North Ogden Divide or Pineview Trailhead. North Ogden- Most of the upper part of this trail is north facing, so snow will hold here longest. Good deep snow is still available for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at the top. This trail is accessed by North Ogden Divide or Mountain Road at 3100 N in North Ogden. Pineview West- This trail is still holding some snow in shaded areas. This snow should be gone soon. As the snow recedes, wet muddy conditions will prevail. Please be cautions to stay on trail even if muddy or wet. Hiking or riding around mud puddles will create “braided,” and multiple trails. Most of this trail was surfaced last summer/fall and should be well drained. 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 Dispersed Recreation- 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 will be available for public review and comment by mid April. A mailing list has been established and those who expressed an interest in receiving the draft EA will be sent a copy. However, to keep printing costs and waste to a minimum, we ask that you review an electronic copy that will be available on our Forest Service website at: www.fs.fed.us/wcnf/unit/ogden/home. htm or request a copy of the executive summary. “Simply The Best” BARBARA BEALBA INTERIORS Custom Draperies Blinds Reupholstery Design Consultation deborah hegg 801-745-1538 3424 N. Foothill Lane Eden $269,000 Builder closeout / Quality custom 4 bed. Den - 3 bath - Finished walkout basement. CALL FOR PRIVATE SHOWING ReMax Associated Realtors Grand Re-Opening 745-2269 E-mail: barbarab@konnections.net Tu/! Gmpsfodf! Dbuipmjd! 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