Coldwater Trail Work Moved to June 5th

The trail maintenance day at South Coldwater 230A has been changed from June 26th to June 5th. Dave, Lipton, Paul, Mel, and Ryan McMaster had signed up for the original date. Be sure you guys take a look at the 5th and see if you can still make it.

Last year, Brian Mahon, Thomas Mueller, Mike Alexander, Jeff Lipton, Jeff Muldoon, Ryan McMaster, J. LeMonds and D. LeMonds did maintenance on this trail. We need to double or triple that total this time around.

If you aren’t familiar with the 230A, it’s time to change that. This is the only trail on the north side of St. Helens open to mountain bikers. In fact, it was opened by local mountain bikers several years ago and, despite a bit of conflict along the way, remains high on our priority list.

We did maintenance work on this trail last year and – the unsavory Mueller Incident aside - received positive attention from monument officials. A rumor has been floating around that there is a chance we might get access to an entire loop around Coldwater Lake. This would be a major coup. That’s why we need to get everyone out on this project to let the powers-that-be know that GG Racing is committed to doing whatever we can to maintain high-elevation trail in our area.

South Coldwater 230A is spectacular – and it is almost completely under the radar. First, it is within easy driving distance. Second, it is not over-run by a zillion other bikers. Third, you will see everything from devastated logging equipment to some of the rawest terrain you’ve ever encountered.

So – who’s in?

Talk is cheap. I keep hearing from people from Portland to Growlers that they want to help when we have work parties. Here’s your chance. We will take care of the meeting time and place and directions. All you have to do is bring yourself, your bike, and tools.

Vid and photos of South Coldwater 230A can be accessed in the second half of this story: http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/258/st-helens-ape-canyon-and-mount-margaret. Don’t miss the vid clip.

Learn more about the Mueller Incident at http://writeteknorthwest.com/archives/1543/u-s-forest-service-issues-warrant-for-thomas-mueller