News

Release Date: Mar 21, 2013

Contact(s): Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119

SEDONA, Ariz. – The Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest has implemented new rules for mountain bikers in specific areas near Sedona in order to protect land and resources.

The new rules restrict mountain bikers from leaving official National Forest system trails and prohibit bikes from cross-country travel in several specific areas. More than 170 miles of official trails remain open to mountain biking.

Impacts from numerous unauthorized and unplanned trails used by mountain bikers have prompted the new restrictions, as unplanned trails have accelerated erosion and resulted in damage to fragile soil, archaeological and watershed resources near Oak Creek.

In order to mitigate the damage from these unplanned routes and properly plan for the future, mountain bikers must now remain on National Forest system trails and are prohibited from cross-country travel in the following areas:

• Schnebly Hill;
• Airport;
• Carrol Canyon;
• Schuerman Mountain;
• Cathedral Rock.

The new restrictions will be in place for up to two years while the district and public work together to determine long-term aspects of sustainable mountain bike use, as well as equestrian and foot cross-country travel issues and effects.

All official Forest Service trails remain open to mountain bike use, except in a Wilderness Area. The district has added 45 miles of trails in the past three years to enhance opportunities for mountain biking, which brings the total miles of trails in and around Sedona to more than 170.

“Mountain biking is a legitimate and growing use of the National Forest and especially around Sedona,” said District Ranger Heather Provencio. “However, we encourage a ‘stay-on-trail’ ethic for all users in all areas, and over the past several years we’ve noticed an increase in off-trail damage due to mountain biking. This is why these restrictions are focused on keeping bikes on trails in the most sensitive areas. We need this use to be environmentally sustainable.”

The Red Rock Ranger District has been hosting a series of public meetings to plan and implement a long-term sustainable trail system and continues to conduct public meetings. The district considered a larger area for the restriction but narrowed the focus after discussion with the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition and International Mountain Bike Association—which are helping to educate users, encourage responsible riding and monitor off-trail impacts.

The district is following the lead of places like Moab and Fruita in the requirement to keep bikes on designated trails to protect our fragile soils and watershed. This temporary restriction will be in place as the district and public collaborate and plan a long-term, sustainable trail system.

For more information about public meetings on the Red Rock trail planning process or how to volunteer on trail projects visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/ or call the Red Rock Ranger District at (928) 282-4119.

Click the images below to see the official Forest Order and Overview Map of the areas restricted.

 

Come help us build out the Lower Bones Trail outside of Dead Horse State Park. This system has long needed expansion and now and every friday following is your chance to be a part of it.

Volunteers should meet at the Lower Raptor Trailhead @ 8:30am in Dead Horse State Park off of Roadrunner Road within the park. Entrance fees will be waived for volunteers.Volunteers need to come prepared and bring with them: a helmet if available (bike helmet will work), sun glasses, work gloves, drinking water, food, sun screen, a hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants, and wear boots with ankle support.

For more detailed information on locations and to share your interest, please call Doug Brown - (928) 202-9360

LADIES' BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE RIDEWED 3 APRIL - 830 AM

BELL ROCK TRAILHEAD (AT VOC)

THIS WILL BE AN EASY, FUN, SOCIABLE PACE (NO DROP).  DON'T FORGET YOUR HELMET AND WATER.  SPRING IS HERE!

Update - FS preliminary proposed map with associated appendix. None of these are final.  All docs link to full size.

   

RED ROCK TRAILS MEETING – 6-8pm HILTION IN THE VILLAGE, MARCH 21, THURSDAY – SEE YOU THERE!

March 21             Agenda

·         Introductions at tables

·         Overview of map process                                           

·         Forest Plan presentation – Jennifer Burns                            20 minutes

·         Map work –                                                                        60 minutes

Small and large maps will be available to “draw on”; participants can group up or work alone.

encourage discussions about the ideas being marked up -

·         Group wrap-up discussion                                           20 minutes

      Any common themes jumping out?

      Any patterns in various areas showing up?

      Any challenges with this process?

      What worked about this process?

      What needs to be improved?

(Maps will include the area around Sedona and Big Park, all official trails and shaded relief, private land, roads and other major features. Maps of existing “social and user-created trails” will be available for reference. See-through acetate will be used with markers to “draw” concepts and ideas onto the maps.)

Maps available for take-home.

For all previous meeting notes, go to http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/landmanagement/planning/?cid=stelprdb5407300 or www.VVCC.us

For those of you who want more information about the upcoming meeting:

Goal

- provide multiple ways in which people can provide input about the RR trail system

Objective

- handout 11x17 maps of the trail system to everyone there

- post 11x17 map on website so people can continue working/thinking after the meeting

- have 3 various maps, with acetate overlays, at each work station table for people to mark (and code) their ideas

- have flip charts at each work station to record the "reason" for each mark along with the identification code

- every mark on a map must have a reason why or it will not be part of the meeting record

- people can work in groups and talk things out, they can move between groups, or they can work independently

Goal

- be clear about what is being asked

Objective

- have a facilitator at each group work station to keep the discussion flowing and make sure the reasons are being recorded

- identify access areas

- identify what trails they use now

- what user experience type they enjoy on which trails

- any ideas about user zones

- possible connectivity/linkage opportunities

- other ideas/issues to express

Goal

- see what people think is needed for future trails system and why

- let people express their trail ideas

- layout the approaches for future mapping meetings

Ground Rules, such as:

- think about concepts before marking

- make conceptual marks (not detailed) and record the reason for that mark

- every mark must have a reason or it will not be recorded

- no lobbying of or for ideas

- be respectful of others

The Sedona Police Department, in collaboration with the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition and city of Sedona Bicycle Coordinator Doug Copp, will host a bicycle safety informational seminar from the League of American Bicyclists titled "Smart Cycling," Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the city of Sedona Council Chambers, 102 Roadrunner Drive in Sedona. This course is free of charge and is designed for teen and adult riders and emphasizes bicycle safety. Also on hand will be members of the Sedona Police Department Bicycle Team, along local vendors with bicycles and safety equipment, to discuss or answer any questions relating to bicycle safety in our community. For further information, contact SPD Cmdr. Ron Wheeler at 203-5004.

Get out and help build our future. New trails are ready for construction on the Red Rock Ranger District. The Lower Bones Trail is geared up and ready for construction. Below are the Dates.

Lower Bones Trail Construction Schedule

(Dead Horse Ranch Area Trails on CNF RRRD)

All Fridays - March, 15th, 22nd, 29th, April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th

Trail work days will meet at the Lower Raptor Trailhead in Dead Horse State Park off of Roadrunner Road within the park. Entrance fees will be waived for volunteers.Volunteers need to come prepared and bring with them: a helmet if available (bike helmet will work), sun glasses, work gloves, drinking water, food, sun screen, a hat, long sleeved shirt, long pants, and wear boots with ankle support.

For more detailed information on locations and to share your interest, please call Doug Brown - (928) 202-9360

  Any input or additions please contact us by e-mail at: board@vvcc.us

 RTCA planning meeting tomorrow February, 28th at the Hilton in the VOC @ 6pm. Hope to see you there helping build our future trails in Sedona and the Red Rocks.