Endurance.Net: Trails Matter: April 2021

Monday, April 26, 2021

Idaho: Horseback riders highlight the challenges they face on the trails

By: Steve Dent
Posted at 1:16 PM, Apr 21, 2021

BOISE, Idaho — The trail system in the Boise foothills is entering a new era as Ridge to Rivers looks at new ways to manage the trails with the increase of usage.

When Ridge to Rivers put out a survey earlier this year, only two percent of the responses came from horseback riders.

Many equestrian users have moved onto greener pastures, like Eagle Island State Park which features wide open spaces, separation of users on the trail, and a huge parking lot with pull-through parking.

"We are finding it difficult to find a place to ride," said Mary Beumeler who rides a Tennessee Walker horse named Strider.

Equestrian riders often use the foothills trails, especially those off of Cartwright Road. Now, they're hoping to raise awareness to help everyone stay safe on the trails...

More here:
https://www.kivitv.com/news/outdoors/horseback-riders-highlight-the-challenges-they-face-on-the-trails

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Why Some Mountain Bike Organizations are Rebranding: An Interview with Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship

SingleTracks.com - Full Article

BY MATT MILLER
APRIL 19, 2021

The group formerly known as Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz (MBOSC) has formally changed their name to the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) as of April 13. The rebranding left a bad taste in some supporters’ mouths, because after 24 years of being known as the MBOSC, mountain bikers in and around Santa Cruz feel that shifting energy away from the already challenged access in the area will be a setback.

Matt De Young, the executive director of SCMTS says that they’ve already been advocating and collaborating with other user groups though, and the name change better encapsulates what the group was already doing. The rebranding follows similar recent moves by other mountain bike organizations across the country.

Greg Williams from the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, which puts on events like the Downieville Classic, told Singletracks Editor In Chief Jeff Barber in a podcast that their name has been instrumental in the group’s mission. As a group of dirt bikers and mountain bikers, they weren’t sure how to best relay the mission in a brand name at first.

“In hindsight thank goodness we really keyed into just trail stewardship [because] it’s opened a lot of doors for us, especially when we partner with land managers. [We are] able to represent a community and not a particular user group...”

Monday, April 19, 2021

Horse poop must be scooped: Colorado Springs parks officials remind equestrians to clean up

Gazette.com - Full Article

By Seth Boster seth.boster@gazette.com
Apr 15, 2021

During a recent city of Colorado Springs parks meeting, the mention of horse poop led to a brief, surprised silence.

"I know people think it's just dogs, because that's the majority of animal use," said Scott Abbott, regional parks manager.

But those bulky, grainy piles left by the hoofed steeds must also be collected, he said. They're often left at Red Rock Canyon Open Space and Palmer Park, two fairly popular stomping grounds for equestrians.

Reads a city ordinance: "It is unlawful for any person to allow any animal over which the person has control to defecate upon any park land without the excrement being removed by the person in control of the animal from the park and disposed of properly."

That goes for "any animal," Abbott emphasized...

B.C.: Maple Ridge park fitted with equestrian obstacles

MapleRidgeNews.com - Full Article

Horseman’s Park now has four obstacles for horse riders to practice on

Colleen FlanaganApr. 15, 2021

There is a new obstacle course in Maple Ridge for those who enjoy riding their equine companions.

Horseman’s Park, located just north of Abernethy Way on 224 Street, was fitted with four new obstacles to train horses on how to properly handle real-life scenarios that are commonly found along Maple Ridge horse trails.

The park was fitted with the new equipment by Haney Horsemen Association, a non-profit organization committed to equestrian trail stewardship throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, with help from the City of Maple Ridge.

The mandate for the Haney Horsemen is safety and there’s a lot of young riders with green horses, said Dianne Stoesz, president of the association.

“These trail obstacles are a great tool to teach inexperienced horses and/or riders how to handle logs, bridges and tricky manoeuvres for when they get out on our Maple Ridge trails,” said Stoesz...

Put your best foot forward: Manners matter along Tucson area trails

Tucson.com - Full Article

Ann Brown Special to the Arizona Daily Star
Apr 17, 2021

On a Saturday morning hiking a narrow cactus-lined trail, you’re headed uphill and a couple of mountain bicyclists are headed down. Who passes first?

You’re sauntering along The Loop listening to your favorite tunes through your earbuds when you are startled as a bicyclist zips by your left side. How can that situation be avoided?

Knowing and practicing proper outdoor etiquette can help avoid confusion and conflict, and can help maintain the integrity of natural resource areas.

Trail usage has increased since last spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions tamped down indoor activities, says Sue Clark, who has served as president of Pima Trails Association since 2001.

Many on the trails are newbies, she says. Clark estimates there are 2,000 miles of trails in eastern Pima County.

Some first-time users lack basic knowledge of trail etiquette, says Neil Stitzer, trails program manager with Pima County’s Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation department.

“An increased number of users can lead to user conflicts if basic trail etiquette protocols are not respected,” he says...

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Idaho: Bureau of Land Management is working on a collaborative approach to address overcrowding at Wilson Creek trails

KIVItv.com - Article & Video

By: Steve Dent
Posted at 1:17 PM, Mar 31, 2021

WILSON, Idaho — The Wilson Creek area provides a place for hikers, bikers and horseback riders to roam in one of the only non-motorized areas in the Owyhee Front.

However, fueled by COVID-19, the growing population in the Treasure Valley and an more mountain bikers hitting the trails, this area 25 miles south of Nampa has seen a big increase in usage.

"I started here in the early 80’s and have been riding here ever since," said Karen Steenhof who was riding her horse named Riley. "The equestrians were the ones who developed this parking area, we started it and I don’t know what I would do without it."

Horseback riders have their concerns because they feel like they've been pushed out of the Boise foothills and they don't want that to happen at Wilson Creek...