Singletrack Advocates

Kincaid Wrap-up, and Winter Biking

2011-11-15T21:25:00.002-09:00

Greetings, Singletrack Advocates!

I hope you have all had the opportunity to play around on the Kincaid STA Trails. A huge thank you to all the contributors and volunteers who made this project happen! You can all pat yourselves on the back for making this community project a reality. Volunteers gave a total of 2,170 hours to the project (hand finishing volunteers plus project managers) which is valued at $45,300.

The trails are fantastic to ski and snowshoe. These activities help pack down fresh snow and firm up the trail. The winter bikers would appreciate the added traffic, so tell all your friends!

A note about winter trail etiquette: At trail crossings, please proceed directly across and do not stop or congregate on the ski trails. The ski trails are for skiing only during winter and we will help to reduce trail conflicts by trying not to block the trail for the skiers. It will take awhile for folks to get used to the new traffic patterns in Kincaid Park. Trail signage will be installed in the next few weeks to help inform all trail users. In the meantime, please play nicely. We are incredibly fortunate to have the support of the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage! Without their cooperation, this project wouldn’t have happened. Please consider buying a trail pin or making a donation to ski trail grooming: http://www.anchoragenordicski.co/membership.htm.

A draft of the trail map is available on in the upper-right corner of this page. It isn’t exact, but it will give you an idea of the general layout of the trails. A final map is in the works.

Don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook to get up-to-date information on trail conditions and happenings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Woman of Achievement

2011-11-09T15:32:00.002-09:00

Queen Bee with one of her works of art.

Congratulations to the Queen Bee of Anchorage Singletrack! Janice Tower will receive the YWCA’s Woman of Achievement Award tonight for her tireless work on behalf of her community.

Mountain bikers know there couldn’t possible be a better recipient than the person who has poured boundless energy and countless hours into making Anchorage a better place, especially for bike riders of all kinds.

Congratulations, Janice. You deserve the recognition. And thank you for everything you have done (so far)!

Sweet Sinuous Singletrack!

2011-10-27T10:40:00.010-08:00

Quick! Name your biggest accomplishment this year. For us, it's undoubtedly the new singletrack trails in Kincaid Park. Of course we had a little help from you, our dedicated volunteers. Together, we built 9.1 miles of singletrack, some of which connects trails people have been riding and hiking for years; most of it entirely new. Reviews are already coming in, including a few letters to the editor in the Anchorage Daily News (1 & 2). Sounds like people are enjoying the trails.

For you statistics lovers out there, here are some numbers from our lead instigator, Janice:

VOLUNTEER TOTALS
Non-duplicated volunteers for trail work days: 241
Volunteers (duplicated) for trail work: 495
Volunteer Hours: 1,277.50
Trail work hours: 53
Total Value Volunteer Labor: $26,635.88

And these numbers don't include all the volunteer hours of the project managers, including Lee, Joe and Ryan (the guys who brought this idea to us over a year ago) or the STA Steering Committee. It doesn't include the paid trail workers like Jon Underwood or the YEP (Youth Employment in Parks) crew, Brian Vaughn (our crew wrangler) or the SCA (Student Conservation Association) crew that joined us in September.

It takes an entire community to make new trails happen and now that the ground is freezing up, we want to thank you, our contributors and volunteers, for your support and hard work. Because of your dedication, we'll have these trails for years to come. Thank you.

ps: We'll have a map for you soon! Stay tuned.

Snow's comin', so let's finish it!

2011-10-06T15:18:00.000-08:00

We are getting close to finishing the Kincaid Singletrack and need your help to finish before snow flies. The next volunteer session is this Sunday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We will meet at the Jodhpur parking lot. We'll have some volunteer tools, but please bring your own loppers/rakes in case we need more! Thanks for all of your hard work!

No snow yet, let's keep working!

2011-10-03T18:10:00.004-08:00

Help is still needed to finish the Kincaid Singletrack! We'll have a work party from 6 to 8 p.m. this Wednesday, starting from the Jodhpur Trailhead. Please bring extra tools (loppers, McLeods, Pulaskis) because we now have only about 20 volunteer tools available. We'll be working on the section just north of Jodhpur parking lot, so stop by even if you're running late.

Sunday Trail Work & Ride

2011-09-28T11:44:00.003-08:00

We've scheduled another work session:

Sunday, Oct. 2nd from 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Meet at the Jodhpur Trailhead.

Bring your riding gear - we'll have a group ride afterward!

Final chances to work on trails

2011-09-25T22:42:00.001-08:00

The new trails are awesome. Help finish them off!

We are getting close to completing the trails! We are racing Mother Nature, so please come out to help us hand-finish the trails before freeze-up.

Monday, September 26^th at 6 p.m., Jodhpur Trailhead

Wednesday, September 28^th at 6 p.m., Jodhpur Trailhead

Kincaid Update

2011-09-22T22:11:00.000-08:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates!

I hope you have had an opportunity to sample the Kincaid Singletrack. There are now about 5 miles of trail that are open to ride.

We have had over 200 volunteers donate their time to hand finish the trails. Thanks to all of you who have come out for an enjoyable time of hand shaping the trail with your fellow mountain bikers! It’s great fun and I encourage everyone to come out for the remaining work sessions (see below).

The SCA Crew is nearing the end of the time scheduled to work with us. They have been doing a fantastic job! Between the SCA Crew and the volunteer work sessions we hope to have the majority of the system open to ride before the snow falls. We are opening sections gradually as they are completed. Thank you for your patience in riding only the open sections.

One additional note about the SCA Crew—they are professional trail builders and have enjoyed working on our project. You may have noticed that they are camped near the Jodhpur Trail in the vicinity of the old broken down Volkswagon Bug. The SCA Crew is permitted to camp here by the Municipality of Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department, so please do not report them to APD as a homeless camp (although they may appear to look homeless after a hard day of working on the trails). On the contrary, they have been putting in 8-9 hours per day and appreciate gifts of home baked goods. It takes a lot of calories to hand finish a trail!

Thanks, and happy riding!

Janice

VOLUNTEER WORK PARTIES

Saturday, September 24^th 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Kincaid Stadium Parking Lot, East End

Monday, September 26^th 6:00 p.m. to Dark Location to be Announced

Wednesday, September 28^th 6:00 p.m. to Dark Location to be Announced

More Volunteer Dates!

2011-09-19T14:25:00.003-08:00

We've just scheduled a few more trail work parties for the Kincaid Park singletracks. Please join us as often as you can! Bring work gloves, eye protection and a friend or two. We'll provide the tools and know-how.

Mon. Sept. 19 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Jodhpur Trailhead
Wed. Sept. 21 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Jodhpur Trailhead
Sat. Sept. 24 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 (National Public Lands Day) Stadium, by the scoreboard

Mon. Sept. 26 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Location To be Announced
Wed. Sept. 28 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Location To be Announced

Limited Opening

2011-09-15T20:35:00.000-08:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

This is a brief update on our progress out at Kincaid. The first 3 miles are open! And they are sweet! Although they were initially wide, the grass is already growing in on the edges and the tread is becoming established. The banked turns are being ridden in very well.

When we are finished we will have an estimated 9 miles of trail for all to enjoy. We will open sections as they are completed—the SCA Trail Crew and volunteers are out there now hand finishing the trails. Thank you for not poaching the unfinished trails.

UPCOMING TRAIL WORK OPPORTUNITIES:

Saturday, September 17^th 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Meet at Jodhpur Trailhead

Monday, September 19^th 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. — Meet at Jodhpur Trailhead

We will schedule more work days and let you know when. In the meantime, be sure to “friend” us on Facebook (Singletrack Advocates) to get the latest news and announcements.

CAUTION: The moose are enjoying the trails as much as we are. This being the rut, the bulls in particular are nuts. And the cows are really cranky. Look ahead! Also, the soil at Kincaid is very slippery when it’s wet. Exercise caution and ride within your limits.

Thanks!

Even More Volunteer Opportunities

2011-09-15T08:31:00.008-08:00

We've added another work sessions for the Kincaid Singletracks:

Sat. Sept. 17 10:00 to 1:00pm (new!)
Mon. Sept. 19 6:00 to 8:00 pm - join BP employees

Meet at Jodhpur Trailhead. Bring work gloves and eye protection; we'll provide the tools and instruction.

On Wednesday, we opened another section of trail, giving you over 3 miles of finished trail to ride. The best place to get onto the trails is at the stadium area. Go through the tunnel and turn left to climb a small rise. The entrance is just past the beginning of the Lekisch Trail. Please note that the trail is closed beyond the orange fencing areas. Please respect the closed sections.

For more updates, check back here or go to the Alaska forum of mtbr.com. If you're on facebook, be sure to "like" us there to get updates and see photos.

More Volunteer Opportunities

2011-09-14T09:28:00.007-08:00

The Kincaid Singletrack project is moving along thanks to the dozens of volunteers who've come out to hand-finish the trails. We have a couple more opportunities on the schedule for those who can make it:

Today: Join the ConocoPhillips Day of Caring: Meet at the Jodhpur Trailhead at 12:15. We'll work until 4, so bring a snack and water.

Monday, Sept. 19, 6:00 to 8:00: Join BP Employees for an evening session. Meet at the Jodhpur Trailhead.*

Please bring work gloves and eye protection. We have plenty of tools!

For more updates, check back here or go to the Alaska forum of mtbr.com. If you're on facebook, be sure to "like" us there to get updates and see photos.

*this post edited on 9/15/11 to include the meeting location.

2011-08-11T21:17:00.001-08:00

HELP WANTED!

Volunteers are needed to help hand finish the

KINCAID SINGLETRACK TRAILS.

Wednesday, August 17^th

Wednesday, August 31^st

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Meet at the Kincaid Parking Lot nearest the scoreboard.

ITEMS TO BRING:

· Work Gloves

· Eye Protection

· Loppers if you have them

Kincaid Singletrack Update

2011-07-12T21:14:00.001-08:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

We will get started on the Kincaid Singletrack Project on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Here are a few details about the project.

Everyone will be curious about our progress on trail construction. Please hold your curiosity until we have trail work days to view the project. Jon and one employee are working with two pieces of heavy equipment and they probably won’t see you if you approach the work area. The Sweco in particular moves VERY quickly.
Please do not ride on the rough-cut trail! Doing so establishes a trail tread which might not be where we want it to go. Once the Sweco goes through the excavator fine tunes, and then a hand crew comes in to do the finishing touches. We had a problem with this when we built the Hillside Trails. People were actually ducking under the yellow tape and ignoring the “TRAIL CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION” signs. Again, PLEASE DO NOT RIDE ON THE UNFINISHED TRAIL!!!
We will have work parties starting late July to early August. These will be volunteer opportunities on Monday or Wednesday nights depending on the availability of crew leaders.
We are still raising money. We are about $13,000 shy of meeting our goal. We will still be able to do the project... just less of it if we don’t get to 100%
Be sure to “friend” us on Facebook to get current information on the status of the project and to be informed about work parties.

STA tuned for more updates!

Janice

Being Bear Aware on Bikes

2011-06-10T06:32:00.001-08:00

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

7:00 p.m.

BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, 5600 Science Center Drive

Join the folks at the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center to learn how to be safe when riding a bike on the trails this summer. You’ll find out how to tell different bear warning signs apart, discover the trail characteristics that should make you extra wary, learn where and how to carry bear spray, and even get to practice spraying inert bear spray. Bring your bike for a special ride on Campbell Tract as part of the program! (Helmet required for bike ride.) The program begins at 7pm on Wednesday June 15 at the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center (5600 Science Center Drive). Please call 267-1247 for more information.

Hillside Singletrack Earns National Award

2011-05-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

The Coalition for Recreational Trails, a federation of national and regional trail-related organizations, is pleased to announce that the Anchorage Hillside Singletrack Trails project has won one of the national 2011 Achievement Awards, recognizing outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program.

The achievement award is for the category of "Youth Conservation/Service Corps", for making effective use of the services and skills of qualified youth conservation or service corps to construct and /or maintain trails. The Coalition for Recreational Trails awards will be presented on June 15 in Washington, D.C., during Great Outdoor Week 2011 as part of the Coalition's ongoing effort to build awareness and appreciation of this highly successful program, which greatly enhances the quantity and quality of trail experiences available to the public.

The award recognizes Singletrack Advocates and Alaska Trails for their work in coordinating youth trail crews from the Municipality of Anchorage's Youth Employment in Parks program and the Student Conservation Association. The youth crews successfully completed 7.5 miles of hand-tool finish work, to complete the first sustainably built singletrack trails in Anchorage.

Other partners providing significant contributions on this great project include the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, the Municipality of Anchorage's Parks and Recreation Department, Alaska State Parks, Happy Trails, Alpine Trails, and community trail volunteers.

Activities Update

2011-05-08T20:46:00.001-08:00

Here is a brief update on our current activities.

Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project

Jon Underwood and Lee Bolling were laying out trail in Kincaid Park last week, and it's looking awesome! We will break ground on July 15. There will be opportunities for volunteers to help out, so announcements will be made for upcoming work parties.

Fundraising continues to complete the project this summer. To date we are $43,000 shy of reaching our goal. If you haven’t already donated, please give and give generously. Area bike shops are participating in our Round Up for Trails program: chip in a few dollars more at the register when you make your purchases. You will not be disappointed. If you have any individual or business contacts that might be generous with resources, please let us know about them—we will be happy to make presentations.

STA Off Muddy Trails … please!

It was very discouraging last week to see some two dozen sets of tire tracks rutting up the STA Trails. Please encourage folks to refrain from riding them until the ground is good and hard. Most of these people are unaware of the damage they are causing by riding the trails prematurely. Which brings us to …

National Trails Day!

We will have trail work parties on Saturday, June 4 on the STA Trails. There are some blown-out turns and rutted areas that need fixing. We’ll also be installing our new trailhead kiosk map!

Thanks for your support!

Round Up for Trails

2011-04-20T20:07:00.003-08:00

Note, we're approaching local bike shops with the following letter, and asking them to help raise funds to build new singletrack. If you'd like to see more fun singletrack built in Anchorage, please speak to the managers of your favorite shops and tell them you'd be happy to round up a few dollars on your next purchase!

Round Up for Trails

Singletrack Advocates was founded in the fall of 2004 with the mission to preserve, maintain and create singletrack trails in the Anchorage area. Since then, the group of volunteers has built nearly nine miles of sustainable singletrack in Far North Bicentennial Park.

After the group completed its first trail repair project on Mellen’s Way (Rover’s Run), we decided to build our own trails from scratch. The first trail, Brown Bear, was hand built with the guidance of IMBA, the International Mountain Bicycling Association. In 2008 the network of trails known as the STA Trails or the Bee Trails near Hilltop were built. The eight miles of trails connect Hillside to the Chugach State Park and can draw hundreds of users on summer weeknights. They are also rideable in the winter.

We now have approval from the Municipality of Anchorage to build more trails; this time in Kincaid Park. We plan to break ground this summer. We hope that these trails will be as popular as the trails in Far North Bicentennial Park and draw m ore riders back to Kincaid. But we need your help meeting our fundraising goal.

We’ve applied for and received grants from different organizations and agencies. We also have received donations from individual mountain bikers, biking clubs and hikers. Yet, we still need to raise just over $75,000 for the project. We think more mountain bikers would be happy to donate funds if only they knew about the project. This is where your business comes in.

We’d like to propose a Round Up for Trails fundraiser which you can implement at your cash register. Step one is to post the proposed trail map near your point of sale or another easy-to-see location. Step two is to educate your staff about the project (we can help you with this by visiting a staff meeting). Step three is to ask customers, especially those making a mountain bike purchase, if they can round-up their purchase by a few dollars to support the project. At the end of the month, you send a check to Singletrack Advocates.

With all the shops on board, this fundraiser should be a quick way to meet our goal and educate your customers. We anticipate it would run through the end of May. Getting on board will show that you are committed to making sure your mountain biking customers have great trails to ride for years to come. And the more they ride, the more they will come back to you for more gear, upgrades and repairs. It’s a win for everyone.

Please let us know if you would like someone from Singletrack Advocates to visit your shop to tell your staff about this fundraiser. You can learn more about our group by visiting our site: singletrackadvocates.blogspot.com.

We hope we can count on you to Round Up for Trails.

Singletrack Advocates
PO Box 240574
Anchorage, AK 99524
singletrackadvocates.blogspot.com

Support for Kincaid Trails

2011-02-24T20:23:00.002-09:00

Fundraising continues for the Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project slated to begin construction this summer. If you live on the west side of town in the Sand Lake and Turnagain areas, I need your help to encourage your legislators to support a funding request for our project.

Please take a few moments to write an e-mail or call them directly at their offices in Juneau. AND, please forward this to others in your neighborhood who would like to use 9 miles of multiple-use mountain bike trails in Kincaid Park. Please use your words to describe what The Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project can do for “our” neighborhood in “our” side of town. Even if you don’t live on the west side, I doesn’t hurt to add your name to our list of supporters. Numbers count!

Thank you,

Janice Tower

Sen. Lesil McGuire
District N 
State Capitol Room 125
 Juneau AK, 99801  

Senator_Lesil_McGuire@legis.state.ak.us 
Toll-Free: 800-365-2995  
Phone: 907-465-2995 
Fax: 907-465-6592

Rep. Mia Costello
District 27 
State Capitol Room 412 
Juneau AK, 99801  

Representative_Mia_Costello@legis.state.ak.us 
Phone: 907-465-4968 
Fax: 907-465-2040

2011 Trail Rondy

2011-02-24T20:14:00.004-09:00

Alaska Trails would like to announce that the 2011 Biennial Trail Rondy TENTATIVE Agenda and Registration are now available. Trail Rondy is scheduled to take place April 15-17 at the Alaska Job Corps Center in Palmer.

You can download a PDF of the 2011 Trail Rondy registration form and TENTATIVE Agenda right here. You should find most information about the form on the left side of the form itself. Attendees and vendors register by using the same form.

You can also register on-line by clicking here. Please be advised that if you register on-line you will be charged a nominal service fee and those associated costs are clearly shown by each item.

Early registration starts now and continues until April 1. After April 1, registration is at the door only and each item increases $25.

So, register now and we hope to see in Palmer mid-April!

Please forward this information on to other folks who may be interested.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-22T22:53:00.003-09:00

Ho, ho, ho. Christmas tree fairies recently decorated a small spruce at the intersection of The Hive and Gasline, so check it out if you're riding or hiking by this week.

Tonight, lights were added! If you're headed that way and want to keep the lights burning, throw some AA batteries and a small Phillips-head screwdriver in your pocket. The strings of lights probably need some fresh power!

Kincaid project update

2010-12-16T06:43:00.003-09:00

Greetings and Happy Holidays, Singletrack Advocates!

I have just hit the send button on our 8th grant to support the Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project. To date we have received funding or technical assistance from:

Anchorage Park Foundation
REI, Inc.
National Park Service—Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program

We have applied for and await decisions on the following:

Alaska State Parks, Recreational Trails Program
American Trails Society
Bikes Belong
ConocoPhillips
GCI
Continental Motor Group

The project budget is $200,000 for 9 miles of singletrack in Kincaid Park. Thank you to those of you who have already contributed personally or through your work places. We still have a long way to go. If you can think of any more rocks that I could look under, please send names and contact information my way.

Hope Santa bring us some new trails. Happy Holidays!

Janice

Chugach State Park permits

2010-11-26T21:19:00.003-09:00

Chugach State Park is issuing special-use permits for winter fat biking on Middle Fork Trail and other trails as listed on the permits. This special access is for bikes with a minimum tire width of 3.7 inches. Every rider must have his/her own permit and it must be displayed on the bike while on the specified trails.

The permits are free, and can be picked up at park headquarters on the Seward Highway at the southern end of Potter Marsh during regular office hours (M-F 10-12, 1-4). If you send an e-mail to csp@alaska.gov including your name, phone number and e-mail address, they'll prepare your permit before you arrive, and laminate it for you after you sign it in the office.

Don't forget to thank the staff for accommodating fat bikes!

Trail Update

2010-10-18T19:59:00.005-08:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

On a recent weekend, six of us sacrificed a weekend to blast up to Fairbanks to check out Jon Underwood’s latest trail project, the Ester Dome Singletrack Trails. For those of you who don’t know, Jon built the Hillside Trails in 2008. Let me just say that since then he has improved his technique. This video says it all: FLOW! Thanks to Joe Campos for videoing the fun and editing this promo. We can’t wait to design and building in Kincaid next summer.

The Parks & Rec Commission passed the preferred concept of the Section 36 Master Plan draft put forward by the Citizen’s Advisory Committee. The next stop is the Planning and Zoning Commission, and from there it might have to go before the Assembly. Stay tuned on this process—we are getting closer to being able to build more trails on the South Hillside. Many thanks to Steering Committee member Steve Ryan for speaking on STA’s behalf at the PRC.

Janice

Time to give the trails a break

2010-09-30T18:05:00.001-08:00

This is a friendly reminder that when the ground freezes at night and thaws during the day, the trail surface becomes like paste, a sticky, icky mess. The STA Trails took a bit of a hit last weekend and earlier this week.

Ride 'em when they're frozen, early in the day, or wait till the temp stays below freezing throughout the day.

Brown Bear and Black Bear were awesome, by the way.

Kincaid Singletrack Approved

2010-09-24T06:34:00.000-08:00

Last night the Parks & Recreation Commission approved the Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project. Construction will begin next summer to create about 9-miles of sustainable, multi-use, multi-season trails.

This means that we’re going to have to look under a lot of rocks to find sources of funding. There are two grants that are no longer available to us, grants which funded the lion’s share of the STA Trails on the Hillside. If you know of any grant sources or potential donors to the project, please let me know. Our project budget is $200,000, of which we have raised $27,000. We have a long way to go before we can break ground next summer.

I’d like to thank Lee Bolling for providing the vision and inspiration for this project. Without Lee stepping up to plant the seed for the idea, we never would be at this point.

Congratulations everyone!

—Janice

Stuck in the Rut

2010-09-15T22:13:00.003-08:00

It's the time of year for lovestruck moose, so please be alert on the trails. There was a family of irritated moose spotted on Stinger tonight, with both the cow and the bull quick to chase off anyone invading their privacy or getting too close to the yearling calf.

Several runners and bike riders have reported encounters with edgy ungulates this week, so keep your eyes open and give them a little room for romance!

Buttheads and Bears

2010-09-04T20:39:00.004-08:00

Sadly, the tools that were donated and attached to trailhead kiosks back in June proved too tempting for thieves. Someone recently cut through the cable that held a chain tool and hex wrenches to the kiosk at the bottom of Drone Lane, then they took off with the tools. If you break down on the trail and need tools, they are still available at the kiosk at the intersection of Janice's Jive and the Gasline.

Meanwhile, a brown bear sow has been active on the northern section of our trail network—she charged a runner earlier this week—so please be alert and make plenty of noise whenever you're on the trails.

With end-of-the summer vegetation reducing sight lines all over the Hillside, this is an especially good time to use your bear bells or a lot of singing, yelling, etc., to warn bears of your approach. And don't forget to carry your bear spray!

Crunch Time

2010-08-27T23:05:00.000-08:00

It's crunch time and we need singletrack supporters to come out and help! There are two important meetings in September--please come to show your support:

1. Sand Lake Community Council Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 13th, 6:30 p.m., at the Kincaid Chalet. If you live in the Sand Lake Community Council Area please come to this meeting. We will be asking the council for a resolution of support.

2. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting originally scheduled for September 9th will be pushed back to Thursday, September 23rd, 6 p.m. at the Spenard Rec Center (behind Spenard Builders Supply). This is the most important meeting because you can have the opportunity to make a Public Comment if you wish. This is the meeting when Parks and Rec will decide whether or not the project will go through! Please come!

Meeting canceled

2010-07-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

The Parks & Recreation Meeting scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. has been canceled. They will reschedule our presentation of the Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project soon.

Sand Lake presentation

2010-07-07T06:56:00.002-08:00

Greetings, Sand Lake Singletrack Advocates,

On Monday, July 12, Lee Bolling and I will present the Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project to the Sand Lake Community Council. It would be very helpful to have a lot of Sand Lake trail supporters present at the meeting. We will asking the council for a resolution of support, a very critical document for the project approval process. If you have neighbors and friends who would like to see skinny trails and who aren’t necessarily mountain bikers, these trails will be awesome for them, too!

Here are the details:

SAND LAKE COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, July 12^th

6:30 p.m.

Kincaid Chalet

Hope to see you there!

Janice

What, More Trails?!

2010-06-29T06:49:00.000-08:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

I would like you to be in on an exciting new trail proposal that we have cookin’ for your future mountain biking enjoyment. How would you like to see 9 to 10 miles of singletrack built in Kincaid Park next summer? On Thursday, July 8^th at 6 p.m. at the Spenard Recreation Center I will present the Kincaid Singletrack Trails Project to the Parks & Recreation Commission as an information item. This is the first time the commission members will have seen the proposal. I and my co-conspirator, Lee Bolling, are preparing a dog-and-pony show that will hopefully go before this same body for approval in August.

Remember “shock and awe?” It would be most helpful to have a lot of mountain bikers show up at this meeting to give a visual showing of support. You do not have to speak. Numbers sometimes speak louder than words. Please, try to come to the meeting. I would appreciate your help.

Ride on!

Janice

Trail tools

2010-06-19T22:02:00.002-08:00

It's been a long quiet spell on the Singletrack Advocates blog site, but summer is here and we're back to keep you updated on happenings and trail projects.

There's a nice addition on the trails this summer, thanks to a brilliant idea from Alex Wilson and the handiwork of John Evingson—not to mention the donation of tools from REI.

When riding the the singletrack network we built on the Hillside two years ago, make a note of the trailside kiosks that have chain tools and hex wrenches attached to them. If you have a minor breakdown and lack your own tools, you can get yourself to one of the tool stations to make a repair.

Thanks to all the folks who made it happen.

Anchorage Bike Plan

2010-01-21T21:06:00.000-09:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

There will be a public hearing of the Anchorage Bike Plan before the Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday, March 2, at 6 p.m. at the Loussac Library. It will be vitally important to achieve critical mass of cyclists at this meeting. If you cannot attend, PLEASE send an email message to your assembly member in favor of the bike plan.

Here is the link to the draft plan.

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS:

Chris Birch 346-3265 chrisbirch@gci.net
Matt Claman 350-3105 mattclaman@gmail.com
Dan Coffey 274-3385 274-4258 dancoffey@gci.net
Harriet Drummond 279-7763, 279-7788 harrietdrummond@alaska.com
Chair Patrick Flynn 278-8462 flynnpp@muni.org
Elvi Gray-Jackson 343-4118, Gray-JacksonE@muni.org
Vice Chair Mike Gutierrez 382-5972, gutierrezM@muni.org
Jennifer Johnston 346-1087, jjohnston@gci.net
Debbie Ossiander 688-2308, 343-4113, ossiander@gci.net
Sheila Selkregg 338-3636, selkregg@yahoo.com
Bill Starr 694-5060, 343-4114, 350-5481, starrwe@muni.org

Winter Trail Etiquette

2010-01-15T21:47:00.002-09:00

It’s been a beautiful winter and many of you have been out enjoying the trails on your new snow bikes. Since there is a learning curve to most things, we wanted to post this announcement about trail etiquette.

Thank you for being courteous to other trail users and for refraining from riding on ski-only and mushing trails. The new sign posts are marked with appropriate uses now, so knowing which trail is multiuse has never been easier. Mushing trails are particularly risky for poaching. The dogs run fast and silently, and they can seem to come out of nowhere. These trails are maintained by the Alaska Sled Dog Racing Association and they have been in heavy use this season. ASDRA says that mushers do train on their trails at night for long distance racing, particularly when daytime temperatures rise. In that situation, training is best done at night, when it’s colder.

There is a growing concern in Chugach State Park. There were a limited number of permits distributed to study the impact of winter riding. Granted, there are other users that punch through the snow, but we can do our part to make relationships better. The lobby to keep us out of Chugach State Park is large and vocal.

STA is producing a reminder card with trail etiquette points. These will soon be distributed in bike shops and made available at special events.

Thanks. Be kind and enjoy your ride!

WINTER RIDING ETIQUETTE

Avoid Freshly Groomed Trails—Refrain from riding until they harden.

Ride Multi-Use Trails—Winter biking is prohibited on ski-only and mushing trails.

Wider Wheels = Easier Riding—Fat tires improve flotation.

If In Doubt, Let Air Out—Over-inflated tires dig ruts into soft snow.

Be Courteous—Yield to other users. Signal to pass.

Uphill Traffic Has the Right-of-Way.

Phase II update

2009-12-10T22:30:00.002-09:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

I wish I could announce that our Christmas present this year would be permission to build Phase II of the singletrack project. Unfortunately at tonight’s Parks & Recreation Commission meeting the Commission voted to leave the original Phase II area out of the trails plan. As a small token of concession, however, the Commission did agree to insert within the body of the plan, mention that the area below Stuckagain Heights neighborhood is suitable terrain for singletrack. Essentially, this is a nod to STA for being good community partners and it is an official record for future Parks & Rec Commission members that this debate did occur. As institutional knowledge goes, it’s only as good as those present at the table … unless of course there is a paper trail (no pun intended).

Here are some other items of note:

Rover’s Run will be closed seasonally from spring through fall, and will be opened for winter use. How the Muni proposes to close the trail (signage vs. physical barriers) remains to be decided.
An alternative route to Rover’s remains in the plan—it connects the Gasline Corridor to Black Bear Trail to a new trail just south of Moose Meadow.
The area known to us as “Baseball Boogie” (adjacent the Elmore ballfield, Sahallee neighborhood and Service High School) shall be noted in the plan as reserved for Class I/II trails (very narrow, unaltered tread) in keeping with its current character—I requested this in order to preserve the intricate network of social trails that the adjacent neighborhood uses and which is becoming increasingly popular among those of us who like handlebar-width tree clearances and root balls every 10-20 feet. In all seriousness, these trails are a lot of fun to ride.

The next stop for this trails plan is the Urban Design Commission for final adoption.

I’m sorry that I don’t have much better news. Thank you to those of you who came to offer support. Be prepared to turn out in droves as the public debate gets going on the master plans for Chugach State Park and Section 36!

Janice

Trail damage

2009-12-01T19:38:00.002-09:00

This week's rain and warm temperatures have made a mess of the trails. (Just when they were getting good, too!)

Riders are reporting slushy trails, pools of water and "unrideable" conditions. Until the weather cools and the trails harden again, bikes will only create nasty ruts and delay the return of good riding surfaces.

Please monitor weather trail conditions before venturing out.

Section 36 Comments

2009-11-13T18:25:00.001-09:00

Comments are being accepted for the Section 36 Master Plan until Nov. 30. You never know who will come out of the woodwork, so it doesn’t hurt to get out the vote. If you haven’t done so already, please go to this link and write a few sentences for trails!

Click here to comment.

Want more singletrack?

2009-11-02T19:52:00.003-09:00

A public open house will be held for the Section 36 Master Plan on Tuesday, November 10 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Goldenview Middle School.

This meeting will be to gather input from members of the Anchorage community on the type of use and level of development for the 640-acre park in southeast Anchorage, known as Section 36.

A Master Plan is being prepared for Section 36 by the Municipality of Anchorage’s Parks & Recreation Department. The Master Plan will be based on a conceptual level, determining the type and level of use, facilities, and access to be provided by the park.

For more information, contact Alison Lohrke, Public Involvement Planner for Dowl HKM. (907) 562-2000.

(Note: Singletrack Advocates has already submitted comments on this issue, and encourages everyone to attend this event to speak up for the development of singletrack in Section 36.)

Autumn on the trails

2009-09-27T19:04:00.006-08:00

Late-season riding on the new trails
has been beautiful.

Pretty soon, all the fallen leaves will
make it difficult to see the trail tread.

The log bridge is getting a lot of use
by riders bold enough to try it ...

and from a few who probably shouldn't.
Fortunately, the landing is (sort of) soft.

Go ride before it snows.

Bikes in Chugach State Park?

2009-09-20T20:26:00.003-08:00

We’re trying hard to get mountain biking factored into the Chugach State Park Master Trails Plan! If you want to see trails built and other trails opened up to mountain bikes, please be sure to attend Tuesday’s (Sept. 22^nd) open house at 6:30 p.m., at the Campbell Creek Science Center.

This will require an effort of the same magnitude that got the new STA Trails! Please take an hour to show your support, and at the very minimum, comment on the Master Trails Plan by Friday, October 16^th.

Here is the link to the Master Trails Plan.

Happy riders

2009-09-18T19:18:00.001-08:00

Mountain bikers are loving the new trails! Here's what a few of told us via e-mail:

Had my first opportunity to ride the new trails yesterday -- many thanks to all of you for your efforts in getting them established. I had a terrific time riding the trails; even though I’m definitely not a good mountain biker (I’m a triathlete, road biker). I definitely felt challenged throughout the ride, yet safe at the same time -- can definitely see you’ve put a great deal of thought into the design so it appeals to bikers of all abilities.

Again, many thanks for your efforts in putting together a fantastic trail system!

Thanks
Jeff

Hi - I just wanted to let you know that I recently had the opportunity to ride these trails. They are fantastic! I am really impressed by the quality of the tracks and I appreciate the hard work that you (and others) obviously put in. I will be signing up post haste.

Thanks,
Russ

I can't remember if I have said it before so I'm saying it again! Thanks for bringing those single track trails to us, we rode them today and with the Fall colors it was fun! Thanks and hope you are well!

Kim

Yesterday I went out mountain biking for the first time in way too long, and I decided to try out some of the new trails. They are amazing! I just wanted to say that the trails are really fun to ride!

Thanks,
Eric

Thursday trail maintenance

2009-06-24T06:44:00.001-08:00

The Parks & Rec Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) Crew will be doing maintenance on the entire network of singletrack this Thursday, June 25th. Please steer clear until after 5 p.m.

Ribbon Cutting and Work Party

2009-06-08T21:27:00.006-08:00

Acting Mayor Matt Claman cuts the ribbon
at the bottom of Drone Lane.

On June 6, 2009, a special celebration took place in the Hilltop Ski Area as part of the National Trails Day events that took place within the BLM Campbell Creek and Far North Bicentennial Park and resulted in more than 115 volunteers working on local Anchorage area trails for three hours each. Many youths of all ages came out and actively joined parents to help maintain the local trails.

Singletrack Advocates celebrated the grand opening of 7.5 miles of new, sustainably designed singletrack mountain biking trails. The NPS-Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program provided consulting and project assistance on the effort for four years. Janice Tower, STA's leader (also known as the "Queen Bee") was honored by all her drones, 40 or so community-wide trail volunteers and agency partners.

Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department planner Holly Spoth-Torres was on hand to open up the ceremony. Acting Mayor Matt Claman thanked Janice and STA for taking a leadership role in helping the municipality provide for recreation opportunities that the agency could not afford. Sue Masica, NPS, Alaska regional director offered her thanks to Janice for her leadership, and shared with the crowd the role NPS has in communities across the state and America.

James King, director of Alaska State Parks shared his teams quotes, praising Janice for being the ultimate partner and for managing her end of the State Recreation Trails and Alaska Trails Initiative grants more efficiently than anyone has before. King presented Janice her very own "Queen Bee" Pulaski—white bow included—which she plans to hang over her fireplace. Claman then cut the broad yellow hazard tape and proclaimed the trails officially open! The crowd cheered and quickly broke into trail crews to head out and help repair the tread that was so badly damaged by more than 100 trees falling in last fall's high-wind event.

The most satisfying moment for Janice and her team of now-trained volunteers, was seeing the high quality of work that happened very efficiently. Problems of what to do with difficult water control issues, best ways to move around rock obstacles and re-establishing tread were solved creatively with successful solutions. Four years ago Anchorage trail volunteers could not do this. With great thanks to the International
Mountain Biking Association and Alaska Trails, Anchorage now has a host of trained and qualified trail crew bosses and volunteers.

Watching the crews work fast and efficiently, while applying proper trail construction methods and knowledge, was very satisfying to all involved. We've come a long way in improving our ability to build, construct and now maintain sustainable trails. Happy Trails, to all of you! We'll see you out on Drone Lane, Janice's Jive, the Hive, the Stinger or the Hornet's Nest.

Ride on!

Best of all, when the work was done,
the volunteers went for a ride on the new trails.

(Thanks to Lisa H. for this writeup.)

Printable map & membership form

2009-06-08T12:23:00.001-08:00

Please note that direct links to these two documents have been added in the upper-right corner of this page for easy access. The trails are in great shape—print a map and go for a ride!

Your official invitation

2009-05-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

Time to celebrate!

2009-05-20T21:47:00.002-08:00

You are cordially invited to the

Grand Opening of the Singletrack Trails

A National Trails Day Project

Saturday, June 6^th

Hilltop Ski Area, South Parking Lot

next to Karl Eid Ski Jump

8:30 a.m. Coffee and Pastries

9:00 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and thank you to our volunteers and supporters

9:15 a.m. National Trails Day Project—clean-up and tread repair (Items to bring: work gloves, water, loppers, hand saws, shovels, rakes, brush cutters, etc.)

12:00 p.m. Pizza party at Campbell Creek Science Center

2:00 p.m. Go ride the trails!

Stand up for Singletrack!

2009-05-11T20:54:00.001-08:00

This Thursday the Parks & Recreation Commission will take public testimony and vote on the Far North Bicentennial Park Trails Improvement Plan. There are dozens of proposed projects and maintenance items in this plan. STA’s Phase II of the singletrack project is included… at least for now.

There is significant resistance to constructing new singletrack in the area bound by Campbell Airstrip Road, the North Gasline and the Stuckagain Heights neighborhood. The two most prevalent reasons are: 1) bears; 2) sentiments that the area should remain undeveloped. After considering concerns from wildlife officials and Stuckagain Heights neighbors, we decided to reduce the project area to allow a wider corridor for wildlife and to locate the trails below the power line so as not to intrude on the view of adjacent property owners. These decisions effectively reduced the project area by half, but we would still have an opportunity to build about 2-3 miles of trail in the remaining area.

I know that the weather is supposed to be gorgeous this week, but it is important that Singletrack Advocates make a strong showing at this hearing. You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to—but if you are so inclined your comments are appreciated.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION HEARING
Thursday, May 14th 6:00 p.m.
Lidia Selkregg Chalet
Russian Jack Park

We need your support

2009-04-27T21:54:00.004-08:00

For a full-size version of our membership form, please click on the image above, print a copy and mail the completed form and your donation to the address shown. We need your support to help build and maintain Alaska singletrack.

Speak up now!

2009-04-17T22:45:00.004-08:00

FNBP Trails Improvement Plan
Written Public Comment Deadline Approaches!

April 29, 2009

Please take some time to look at the trails plan documents and submit your comments online. The park planners and Parks & Rec Commissioners really read these! All park users are invited to comment.

FNBP Trails Improvement Plan Documents

Here's the link to provide written comments

Please pay particular attention to:

· Phase II Singletrack Trails, Project #24: Singletrack Advocates is receiving opposition from some neighbors citing bear issues. We removed from the project, all proposed trails between Campbell Creek to the south, and Campbell Airstrip Road to the north in order to allow a wider wildlife corridor. This effectively cut Phase II in half.

Also, some trails in Bicentennial Park are slated for widening but this might serve a greater purpose. You decide!

· Project #17, Multiuse Connector from Gasline/Spencer Loop Area to Chugach State Park: STA co-located the new singletrack trails with this multi-use trail so as to minimize disruption of the singletrack should this project go through. STA and Nordic Ski Club trail designers worked together to achieve optimum alignments for both trails.

· The Trails Classification System: This should clarify what trails should look like and be maintained for their intended use.

· Figure 16, Existing and Proposed Trail Classes: The STA trails built last summer are described as multi-use except for equestrians. If you agree with this, please comment.

PUBLIC HEARING DATE: Thursday, May 14th 6:00 p.m.

Lidia Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Springs Park

Thanks for your help

We need your help

2009-04-02T21:11:00.002-08:00

Phase II of our project which is a part of this plan is experiencing strong pressure from some residents living in the Stuckagain Heights neighborhood. Although the Community Council voted unanimously last spring in favor of our project and issued a resolution of support, some residents have arrived late to the process and are raising concerns about increased park use and wildlife.

It is important to note that early in our planning process we met with Fish and Game biologists to seek their input on our project. Their advice to us was simple: stay away from the creek and berry patches. Based on their concerns about maintaining a wildlife buffer, we eliminated two trails that would come close to Campbell Creek.

Please try to come to the upcoming meetings to support the trails. If we don’t show up in numbers, the decision-makers will inclined to side with a small but vocal minority. At the very minimum, please provide written comment by April 29th at Parks & Rec's site.

Monday April 6th: FNBP User Group Meeting 6:20 p.m. at the Campbell Creek Science Center

Thursday, May 14th: Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting, 6:00 p.m. at the Spenard Rec Center

Thank you very much for your trail advocacy.

Statewide Trails Conference

2009-03-18T21:10:00.005-08:00

Singletrack Advocates,

The 2009 Statewide Trails Conference (April 22-25) is a little over a month away. This four-day event, held in Anchorage in conjunction with the Alaska Recreation & Park Association's annual conference, is scheduled with incredible sessions full of resources, information and contacts to help you make good decisions about the trails in your life. With an emphasis on
sustainable trail design and management, the conference will offer sessions on topics ranging from technical skills to public access/use issues to running effective crews.

With great speakers like Lance Mackey, Vic Fischer, Rick Sinnott, Russ Ehnes, and more, there should be something for everyone. Speakers and panelists come from all over Alaska, as well as from California, Montana, and Maine. Registration is open now and early rates apply through March 30, so don't miss this chance to meet with and learn from trails experts of all stripes. (Sponsored in part by Alaska Trails and the NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program.)

In addition to the trails conference there will be tracks on bike/pedestrian planning, advocacy, and infrastructure; getting kids outdoors; therapeutic recreation, and more. Further details and registration information are available at www.alaskarpa.org.

We hope you plan ahead to attend in April, and help spread the word!

The new trail map

2009-03-11T20:10:00.002-08:00

We're finally read to release a trail map to help everyone navigate their way through the new Hillside singletrack. You can click on the image above to get the full-size version for easier viewing and printing.

Please note that the trail names are tentative, pending final approval by the muni. Once that process is complete, Parks & Rec will publish an official map. In the mean time, this one should enable users to become familiar with the network.

Parks & Rec Strategic Action Plan

2009-03-09T05:56:00.001-08:00

The Parks & Recreation Department of the Municipality of Anchorage invites the public’s participation in an effort to update our 5-year Parks Strategic Action Plan. The Parks & Recreation Department has realized significant achievements under the last 2005 – 2008 Strategic Action Plan and it is time to think strategically about the next 5 years for Parks & Recreation in the Municipality.

The Parks Strategic Action Plan identifies the critical steps needed to assure a bright future for Parks and Recreation in the Municipality of Anchorage.

Seeking to inform and gain public input, we have scheduled 4 Community Meetings to:

· Celebrate all the hard work and progress made in improving Anchorage Parks and Trails;

· Unveil plans for upcoming 2009-2010 neighborhood parks projects;

· Help plan future improvements to the park and trail system;

· Learn about Proposition 4 – the Parks Bond proposition;

· Learn about volunteer opportunities for this summer and get involved in your local park.

You and your constituents are cordially invited to the 2009 – 2014 Parks Strategic Action Plan Update Community Meetings, scheduled as follows:

* Northeast Park District
March 30, 6 p.m.
Begich Middle School

* Northwest Park District
March 26, 6 p.m.
Romig Middle School

* Central & Southeast Park Districts
April 1, 6 p.m.
Spring Hill Elementary School

* Southwest Park District
March 31, 6 p.m.
Klatt Elementary School

We sincerely appreciate your help in getting the word out to people about these important public participation opportunities. We look forward to seeing you there.

Many Thanks,
Suzanne Little
Park Planner
Department of Parks & Recreation
Municipality of Anchorage
632 West 6th Avenue
Anchorage, AK 99510
Office: 907-343-4500

Mark your calendar

2009-03-06T22:42:00.000-09:00

Arctic Bicycle Club Annual Bike Swap

Date: Sunday, April 12^th

Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. set-up

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. sales

Location: AT&T Sports Pavilion at the bottom of O’Malley next to Alaska Club South

Bring your used cycling equipment and clothing to the Arctic Bicycle Club’s Annual Bike Swap. There is no commission.

For more information email Janice Tower at jtower@alaska.com.

Phase II up for discussion

2009-02-27T20:37:00.000-09:00

On Monday, March 2nd at 6:20 p.m. at the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, Parks & Rec will unveil Round 2 of the FNBP Trails Improvement Plan. There are a lot of proposals on the table including ski trails, bridges, and Phase II of the Hillside Singletrack Project which is back on the map for discussion.

Those who want to see more singletrack should be diligent and keep those comments coming when appropriate. Emailed comments will be taken after March 2nd (see link below). The Trails Improvement Plan will go to the Parks & Rec Commission as an information item in April, and again in May for final approval.

It's also important that park users comment on the proposals because this plan will drive future development, maintenance of trails both wide and narrow, and also ensure the protection of valued areas in need of preservation.

The FNBP Draft Trail Improvements Plan will contain:
• Map of the proposed Trail Improvements Plan
• Existing and proposed trail classifications
• List of future trail projects
• Trail construction and maintenance guidelines

To obtain a copy of the draft plan, visit www.muni.org/parks/FNBPTrailsPlanDocs.cfm beginning the week of March 2.

Comments can be submitted via e-mail at fnbp@dowl.com fax at (907) 563-3953 or by writing to DOWL HKM,

Attn: Alison Lohrke, 4041 B Street, Anchorage, Alaska, 99503

Project Website: www.muni.org/parks/FNBPTrailsPlanHome.cfm

Well-deserved thanks

2009-02-17T21:35:00.003-09:00

On February 11, the National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office proudly presented Janice Tower with a Volunteer-in-Parks Award for her 532 plus hours of volunteer time dedicated to a NPS Partnership project—the Hillside Singletrack Trails.

As Singletrack Advocates members all know, Janice is a dedicated community activist. When she sees a local opportunity, she grabs the chance to figure out how to make it happen. Janice started, and still runs, Mighty Bikes, a program that engages more than 120 youths in Anchorage to develop mountain biking skills and learn to ride safely throughout each summer. When Anchorage narrow trails were disappearing because of trail improvements for Nordic skiing, she helped to start and manage Singletrack Advocates. Getting a group of independent mountain bikers to come together for a common vision is no small task. Singletrack Advocates became active in the monthly Friends of Far North Bicentennial Park meetings and obtained a seat on the Far North Trail Advisory Committee. In the beginning, STA's sole purpose was advocacy, to protect singletrack trails.

In 2004, the National Park Service-Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program invited the International Mountain Biking Association to host a Trail Care Crew visit in Anchorage. With sponsorship from Alaska Trails and Singletrack Advocates, the Anchorage mountain biking community obtained knowledge about sustainable trail design standards. STA was sure that singletrack trails had to be built by hand, and spent an entire summer hand digging one mile of new trail in Far North. The Brown Bear Trail is their pride and joy. But after that experience, STA knew there was a reason to consider mini-mechanized equipment.

In 2007, applied to the NPS-RTCA program for technical assistance. STA then moved from Trail Advocates to Trail Builders. Walking through the complex maze of required permits, public meetings, planning processes, fund raising and trail contracting has had its challenging moments. Janice spent more than 532 hours of volunteer time to bring Anchorage its first 7.5 miles of sustainably designed singletrack mountain-biking trails. To do so, she raised more than $300,000. Janice continues to work toward an additional 4 to 5 miles of trail in the Anchorage bowl.

On February 11, 2009, Sue Masica, NPS Alaska Regional Director presented Janice with her Volunteer-in-Parks Award Certificate, a volunteer T-Shirt, an America the Beautiful Pass (so she can access National Parks around the country on her amazing bike trips), and a REI gift certificate. The NPS Alaska Regional Office staff were on hand to give Janice a huge round of applause and thanks for being such a great Partner on a National Park Service Partnership project. NPS also extends its gratitude to all the STA members that have spent endless hours helping to build sustainable mountain biking trails in Anchorage.

Help build Alaska Trails

2009-01-06T20:26:00.002-09:00

Alaska Trails, our trail building partner, is among the agencies of the PFD Charitable Contributions Program. Singletrack Advocates has partnered with Alaska Trails to bring you 7.5 miles of new singletrack on the Anchorage hillside. If you are considering making a donation through the Dividend Program, please think of Alaska Trails. Donations will support Alaska Trails projects statewide.

Bear education survey

2009-01-06T20:15:00.001-09:00

Anchorage Parks and Recreation is putting together a bear education program and would like input from trail users that will assist them with program design.

If you would like to participate, click here and spend a few minutes sharing your opinions.

The latest news

2008-12-15T20:07:00.003-09:00

A public hearing about Anchorage’s bear problem will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 16 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Loussac Library. Here is this morning’s article concerning Assemblyman Starr’s proposal. The agenda item falls late in the meeting. If you feel strongly about this issue and wish to testify, we recommend going early to sign up. Take a sack dinner and a good book.

Here is the full text of Starr’s resolution.

The new trails (we are informally calling them the STA Trails) are a hoot to ski and snowshoe! After the recent snowfall the lower loop is in excellent condition with the exception of one downed birch tree (hint). There are two spruce trees on the South Intermediate Loop’s lower reaches in need of removal. Skiing and snowshoeing the trails after a dump of snow is encouraged.

Bill Starr's bear resolution

2008-10-25T21:04:00.003-08:00

Eagle River Assemblyman Bill Starr has drafted a resolution to address the bear situation at the Assembly meeting on Tuesday, October 28th. You may comment by e-mailing the Anchorage Assembly members or by attending the meeting.

Click here for a contact list.

Click here for the agenda.

Clearing the trails

2008-10-18T17:15:00.003-08:00

Today's work party cleared more trees from the new trail system. It's always impressive what a few volunteers can do in a few hourse (especially with a chain saw). Thanks to all the folks who came out and took on this mess:

One of the more impressive tangles involved several trees that completely buried a switchback.

Deep into the cutting of timber and tossing of debris.

Almost there.

Ready to ride.

"Fifteen minutes ago," Mike said, "We didn't know where this trail was."

Trees blown down on the trails

2008-10-13T20:15:00.004-08:00

Mark Your Calendars!

Please Help Us Clear the New Singletrack Trails!

Saturday, October 18th
1:00 p.m.

Meet at the Prospect Heights Parking Lot, then
walk down the Gasline toward Hilltop.
Enter the second trail entrance on the right,
which is marked “Advanced Loop”
(trail entrance is blocked by a chain)

BRING:
Chain saw if you have one
Hand saws
Work gloves
Food and water

Dress for the Weather!

It's a mess out there

2008-10-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

With the freeze/thaw that’s going on this time of year, the surface of the new trail has become incredibly muddy and is not holding up well to traffic. Please refrain from using it until the ground stays frozen throughout the day. Once winter sets in the trail will be awesome for skiing, snow shoeing, running and snow biking.

FNBP Trails Plan Timeline

2008-09-29T20:28:00.001-08:00

Greetings Trail Advocates,

I would like to remind everyone how far Anchorage mountain bike advocacy has come in the past 3 or 4 years. We have organized as a user group and have gained the respect of other park users and Parks & Recreation. Without their support we wouldn’t have been able to build Brown Bear and now the new network of singletrack. I am very appreciative of the partnerships that we have developed. Once the go-ahead was given to begin construction of the news trails, Parks & Rec threw 100% of their cooperation into the project. They have donated in-kind, approximately $33,000 worth of services and spent many hours with us out on the trails.

The FNBP Trails Plan is another step in the process of thoughtful management of the park. Thanks for your support, and thanks for participating!

Here is the timeline for the FNBP Trails Plan.

September, 2008
Public Open House
Proposed Trail Network, Classifications & Project List Available for Review

October 6, 2008
Comments Due on the above review documents http://apps.amicro.biz/feedback/dowl/

December, 2008
Complete Draft Plan Available for Review

January, 2008
Stakeholder Follow-up Meetings
Steering Committee Meeting
Parks & Recreation Commission Review & Public Hearing (January 8, 2009)

Spring 09 Final Trail Improvement Plan Review by the Urban Design Commission

Will our trails be blocked?

2008-09-27T18:09:00.003-08:00

Greetings Singletrack Advocates,

The Municipality of Anchorage Parks & Recreation Department is putting the finishing touches on the Far North Bicentennial Park Trails Plan. One omission from the most recent version of the plan is Phase II of the Hillside Singletrack Project. This second phase is located on the north side of Campbell Airstrip Road and just below Stuckagain Heights neighborhood.

As a bit of background, the Basher Community Council passed a resolution unanimously in support of Phase II of the project. It also received extensive multi-agency review through the Coastal Zone Management Program and an Environmental Checklist. This occurred before this summer’s problems with the bears reached a critical point.

The reason given for the removal of the project was the need to maintain wildlife corridors. I can understand that the wildlife issue deserves more thoughtful discussion and the development of a management plan. Removing Phase II of the project essentially eliminates the hope for any future trail project in this area. At least if the project is in the plan, it could conceivably happen at some point in the near or distant future. If it’s not in the plan, any proposal could be turned down simply on the basis that “it isn’t consistent with the Trails Plan.”

Parks & Rec has to balance a lot of competing issues in the park. Singletrack concerns are just one of them. There are many difficult choices to be made. It would be worth your time to visit the Trails Plan website and click on the link to give your individual opinion. There are a lot of supporting materials available on the website as well. http://www.muni.org/parks/FNBPTrailsPlanDocs.cfm.

Please note that the plan is a work in progress, and will later be presented for public review. Now is the time to speak up on behalf of our trail project.

THE DEADLINE IS OCT. 6.

National Public Lands Day

2008-09-22T10:59:00.002-08:00

Please Join Singletrack Advocates

for a Trail Work Day on the New Singletrack Trails

Saturday, September 27^th

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hilltop Chalet

Schedule

8:30 to 9:00 Coffee and Muffins

9:15 Trail Work Begins

12:30 p.m. Pizza Party at Campbell Creek Science Center

Project

Sign Post Installation

Brush Clearing

Items to Bring

Work Gloves

Water Bottle

Snacks

Tools will be provided

Please email Janice for more information

FNBP Trails Plan Comment Period

2008-09-17T21:31:00.001-08:00

Don’t be blindsided when it comes to change in Far North Bicentennial Park! Comments on the proposed FNBP Trails Plan are accepted until October 6. You can learn more about the draft plan at: http://www.muni.org/parks/FNBPTrailsPlanDocs.cfm. This website also contains links to documents. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with this proposal.

Public meeting notice

2008-09-03T06:36:00.002-08:00

(Click on image to see a larger version)

Trail work

2008-08-21T19:14:00.001-08:00

We had another great trail work party last night. It looked like the turnout would be a little thin, but we “collected” volunteers along the way. We hauled alders farther off the trail on the first part (the open section) of the intermediate loop.

There are over 150 people on our e-mail list, yet we see the same few, dedicated faces each time. The more people we have turn out, the faster the trails will open. Cold beers await those who help out.

Our next work session will be Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m., meeting at the Prospect Heights Trailhead. If you’re late, walk down the Gasline and enter the first trail entrance on the right.

Many hands make light work!

Patience, rewarded

2008-08-18T18:35:00.001-08:00

The first section of the new trails is open to ride! This is the ONLY section that is currently open. It starts at the project sign at the top of the Gasline and heads south. It ends when it pops out onto the Gasline. The next section that proceeds to the north of the Gasline is CLOSED and will remain closed until the hand crew finishes the trail in mid-September. Patience, Grasshopper, patience.

IF A TRAIL IS ROPED OFF BY YELLOW TAPE AND HAS A "TRAIL CLOSED" SIGN DANGLING FROM IT, THAT MEANS THAT THE TRAIL IS CLOSED.

Please do not ride the trail when it's muddy. Normally a trail like this would "rest" for a year before it's open to ride.

Have fun!

2008-08-17T20:52:00.004-08:00

Please join us for our second
Hillside Singletrack Trails
Work Party!

Wednesday, August 20th, 6:30 p.m.
Meet at the Prospect Heights Parking Lot

Walk down the Gasline Trail and take a left at the project sign if you’re late.

ITEMS TO BRING:
Water
Work Gloves

Progress Report:

Please keep in mind that the trails are not yet open to riding. There is still work being done on the trail.

Intermediate Trail—about 3 miles long thus far:
This trail is 2/3 finished. The Muni's youth crew did a great job over the 8 days they were on the job. About 3,000' of this trail is yet to be finished by a hand crew that will be onsite in September.
The intermediate trail is currently being seeded with native grasses. This will help define the tread, stabilize disturbed soil and encourage new growth. By leaf fall, this will look great. The 3,000' that will be finished by the hand crew next month has not yet been seeded. After freeze-up, that section will be covered with a "dormant seed" that will come up in the spring.

Advanced Trail—7,000’ roughed in thus far:
The excavator and Sweco are doing their best to provide more challenging features. Because of the lack of rocks, however, the trail designer is using topography to create challenges. There is one awesome boulder about 2.5' high that will be a great wheelie drop (there is also a chicken route around this). Last week the contractor was building a switchback that will provide some challenge. Although climbing turns might be preferable for sustainability, this area seemed better suited to a tighter turn.

Thank you to everyone for cooling your knobbies and not riding the trail while we continue with construction. STA tuned for more updates.

Trail Work Volunteer Day

2008-08-13T22:18:00.005-08:00

Join us!

When: Saturday, August 16th
Time: 9am - 12pm
Where: Helen Louise McDowell Sanctuary - Anchorage
Project: New trail construction, trail corridor maintenance and placing/tamping/raking gravel on the new loop

Directions:
From the New Seward Highway
Go East on 36th Avenue
Turn Right (South) onto Rhone St.
Turn Left (East) onto Crescent St.
Turn Right (South) onto Helevetia St.
Park above junction with St. Gotthard
Follow signs to trailhead
Do bring:
2 liters of water
layers for warmth & cooling
rain gear
work gloves
work boots

Trail Closure

2008-08-12T20:46:00.002-08:00

Because of the recent bear attacks, Mayor Mark Begich has ordered Rover's Run closed until the authorities determine it to be safe for public use.

This closure affects the entire trail from Gasline to Viewpoint. Please stay off the trail and watch this site for an update when the closure is lifted.

In the meantime, be careful out there. When riding in Far North Bicentennial Park, carry pepper spray, make plenty of noise to avoid surprising bears and, whenever possible, ride in groups of three or more.

One step closer to new singletrack

2008-07-31T19:35:00.004-08:00

Part of our 24-person crew.

Wednesday night’s work party on the new trail was a success, with a great turnout, dry weather and a bunch of tasks accomplished. The first three-mile loop has been roughed in, and it’s going to be a hoot to ride! (But please remember it’s not yet ready to ride. Give it some more time.)

Thanks to the 24 people who showed up and got their hands dirty, and thanks to Janice for providing the after-work refreshments. After letting the mechanized equipment work for a while, we’ll hold another work party Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Make plans to come pitch in, and check out the new singletrack!

Two volunteers place temporary logs
to keep riders on the trail. After the main
tread is well-established and vegetation
returns to the trail edges, the logs will
rot away, be covered with weeds, or be removed.

Large, partially buried rocks will help
establish trail boundaries, control flow and speed,
and, in some cases, provide technical challenges.

Work Party on New Trail

2008-07-27T20:57:00.001-08:00

Announcing our first organized volunteer work party on the new singletrack trail!

Date: Wednesday, July 30th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Upper trail entrance (Park at the Prospect Heights Trailhead and walk down the Gasline trail to the 2nd knoll. There's a big project sign there. If you're late, come on down the trail till you run into us.
What to Bring: Shovels, pruning sheers/loppers, crowbars (we need at least two crowbars), "bear repellant."
Provided: McCleods, Pulaskis
Goals: Provide drainage for soggy spots; strategically place rocks and logs as trail features and obstacles to keep people on the trail tread; trim assorted strategic branches that will keep people on the trail tread.
Incentives: Good Company; "liquid carbonated beverage" post-work party.

Patience is a virtue

2008-07-22T22:01:00.002-08:00

Reports are coming in from people excited by what they're seeing up at the new trail site. The trail is taking shape and it's looking great, so excitement is growing.

Now is a good time to remind everyone that we understand your excitement and eagerness to check out the new trail—really, we feel it, too—but please remember that the trail is not ready to ride! The tread is still soft and early exploring will damage it.

We've come this far, so please be patient and wait for an announcement that the trail is ready for use. It is being professionally built, so we need to sit back and wait for the experts to work their magic for us so that we'll have sweet singletrack for years to come.

Thanks for your patience.

Here we go!

2008-07-11T10:55:00.002-08:00

It's actually happening folks. The blades about to hit the ground for construction of Anchorage's first true singletrack network designed and built specifically for mountain bikers!

Ground breaking begins on July 15th in the southeastern corner of the project area closest to the Prospect Heights trailhead.

The response to the recent fund drive has been excellent! We brought in $11,760, of which BP employees—taking advantage of the BP Fabric of America Fund—have thus far contributed $3,050! We also received an anonymous contribution through The Cody and Jennifer Gauer Giving Fund at the National Christian Foundation. These are examples of how individuals are able to leverage funds through their work places or to access funds through charities and foundations on our behalf.

Thank you to everyone who contributed and/or spread the word to friends and co-workers, encouraging them to pitch in and help us raise the money.

Successful cleanup

2008-06-16T15:43:00.002-08:00

Fourteen people showed up for the National Trails Day cleanup project in Far North Bicentennial Park.

We were hauling out wood that was used to build illegal structures in the park and filling in some holes. Work started the night before when two volunteers cut some wood into manageable chunks we could haul out easily with the bike trailers.

People removed nails, carried lumber by hand and used three trailers to get everything out to the road. We filled post holes and a hole that was created when the renegade trail builders were building a jump. We also tidied up a piece of trail that had a slightly banked turn built on it.

The project went pretty smoothly, and we were especially happy to have new volunteers with young, strong backs to haul and do lots of shoveling! Plus, having the three trailers was a great help.

So, thanks go out to the volunteers: wood cutters Greg & Tim K.; and the Saturday crew: Elizabeth, Bonnie, Oscar, Jeff, Mary, Laura, Ted, Kyle, Nik, Debbie, Carol, Brian and Jon. Well done!

National Trails Day

2008-05-31T17:33:00.001-08:00

Please join us:

Saturday, June 7th
Registration at 8:30 a.m.
Project Begins at 9:00 a.m.
Meet at North Bivouac Parking Lot on Basher Road

There will be a free pizza luncheon for all volunteers at 12:30 p.m. at the Campbell Creek Science Center, 68th Avenue and Elmore Road. For more information call 267-1247.

Singletrack Advocates will once again help with a National Trails Day project in Far North Bicentennial Park. This year we will dismantle and clean up an unauthorized attempt at creating freeride stunts in an area between the Tank Trail and the Gasline to the east.

Items to bring
Work Gloves
Claw Hammer or Crow Bar
Wheelbarrow or BOB Trailer
Water and snacks

Brown Bear Trail Work Day

2008-05-23T21:55:00.002-08:00

Let’s give Brown Bear Trail some TLC
before a summer of hard use!

Thursday, May 29th 6 p.m.

Meet at the north end of the Hilltop Ski Area parking lot
to meet Christopher, your crew leader.

Suggested Items to Bring
Work gloves
Water bottle
Shovels
Loppers
5 Gallon Bucket

Need more information?
Please contact Christopher at crsouser@gmail.com.

ALMOST there

2008-05-14T22:34:00.000-08:00

Here’s a brief update on our trail building progress. Grant agreements are being drafted and signed, crews scheduled out and we are on track for our ground-breaking on July 15th! One hitch, though: because of some unforeseen costs and increases in diesel fuel prices, we are short at least $25,000 to complete Phase I of the project. Phase I involves the construction of 8.5 miles of singletrack. We will still be able to build trail, but unless we can come up with more funding, we might have to shorten the project.

This is an appeal to those of you who have not yet contributed to the trail project. Please consider donating generously. Please also consider asking your colleagues, business associates and friends for contributions on our behalf. Some businesses offer incredible programs to contribute. BP employees, for example, may request a contribution from BP through its “Fabric of America Fund.” That means that BP would pony up to $500 per employee simply by requesting a corporate donation to the trail fund! Please inquire about other such opportunities at your work place.

Donations made to us through Alaska Trails are tax-deductible. Donations made online directly to Singletrack Advocates are not tax deductible. To donate online please go to www.singletrackadvocates.blogspot.com and click on the “Donate” button on the right hand margin. To make a tax-deductible donation, please send a check made payable to ALASKA TRAILS to us at: Singletrack Advocates, PO Box 240574, Anchorage, AK 99524.

Let’s give it one more big push and raise the rest of the money to build a showcase singletrack trail!

Illegal stunts damage FNBP

2008-05-07T21:21:00.005-08:00

Renegade stunt builders started cutting trees and attempting to build a wooden, banked turn in Far North Bicentennial Park last fall. They also built a dirt jump, but didn't get far before the snow fell. The damage they caused is now emerging from the snow, and people are starting to complain to the Parks & Rec department.

One trail user went to this week's meeting of the Far North Bicentennial Park user group to show photos of the vandalism, and to express concern that it poses a hazard to other park users, especially since the unauthorized project resulted in holes that were later hidden by snow.

If you know who is involved, or if you are among those building the structures, please make it stop. Please disassemble and clean up the debris. Then find an area that may be suitable for building these kinds of features, make a plan, learn what it will take to build it. Contact Singletrack Advocates. Contact the Parks & Recreation Department. Get a permit and build some legal structures.

But don't step on the goodwill that has been built by others who have worked to get other user groups together so that we can have legal, sustainable, challenging singletrack right here in Anchorage.

Mountain bikers who are available to do volunteer work during National Trails Day on June 7 might consider offering to clean up this site.

Bike commuters unite!

2008-05-05T20:29:00.002-08:00

There’s a new cycling organization in town, one that advocates for safe bicycle use and sharing the road. The Bicycle Commuters Alliance of Anchorage solicits members to give voice to the scores of cyclists forsaking the high price of gas for the practical and recreation benefits of commuting to work. Learn more about BCAA at www.anchoragebicyclealliance.org.

Tank Trail citations

2008-05-01T18:41:00.001-08:00

Fort Richardson MPs are issuing citations to unregistered users of the Tank Trail. A couple of weekends ago they set up a post and wrote tickets to recreational users one by one. These folks got off with a warning but, according to military police, the penalties are as follows:

1st offense: Ban for 1 year (this applies base-wide to all property on Fort Rich, including the base itself)
2nd offense: Ban for 5 years (base-wide)
3rd offense: Ban for life (base-wide)

How to Obtain a Permit
1. To use the Tank Trail or any other Fort Rich property for recreational purposes you must obtain a USAG-AK Recreational Access Permit available at the main Fort Richardson Gate. Permits are good for 2 years from the issue date and must be carried with you. For information call 384-0296 or 384-2916.
2. Check in by calling the USARTRAK automated system BEFORE entering the training lands and you will need your RAP number to access the system. The system provides daily training closures. The Phone Access System number is 384-3181.
3. Check out upon leaving the training lands for the day. Call the USARTRAK number and enter your RAP number for automated check-out. 384-3181.

For more information, click here.

Park Foundation grant

2008-04-21T22:09:00.001-08:00

The Anchorage Park Foundation has awarded us $7,500 for the Hillside Singletrack Project. This wouldn’t have been possible without your donations to the project. There will be a congratulatory celebration this Thursday, April 24th at 11 a.m. at the Elizabeth and Roy Peratrovich Park, Corner of 4th and E Streets. Please join us!

Thanks again for your support of STA and this project.

We’re On the Way!

2008-04-11T12:53:00.000-08:00

Because of our exceptionally well-planned and organized proposal, and overwhelming support from other user groups, the Parks & Recreation Commission on Thursday night approved our proposal to build Phase I of the Hillside Singletrack Trail Project.

The Parks & Rec staff recommendation to the commission was to limit us to a single, 4-mile loop trail this summer, would could have jeopardized the overall project by forcing us to build a majority of the trail network in 2009. If the extra workload, weather, or other factors kept us from completing the work by the fall of next year, we would be at risk of losing funds from grants with sunset clauses.

By the end of the night, the commissioners were so impressed by the project and its broad-based support, they rejected the staff recommendation and voted unanimously to approve our proposal.

The Phase I work that the commission approved involves the area above Hilltop Ski Area and the Spencer Loop ski trail. It consists of two loops, one intermediate and the other advanced, for approximately 8.5 miles of finished singletrack. This will be done as a “pilot project” while the Far North Bicentennial Park Trails Plan continues through public process and is finalized next spring. Phase II of the project (north of Campbell Creek) will go through an approval process once the Trails Plan is complete.

We are committed to working with the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage to come up with an optimum alignment of a groomable multi-use trail connecting the Gasline at Hilltop Ski Area with Prospect Heights in Chugach State Park. Effort will be made to make efficient use of the acreage in order to maximize the amount of space for singletrack.

Thank you to all the people who attended Thursday night’s meeting to show support, and to those who spoke on our behalf, including representatives of the orienteering and Nordic user groups.

And an extra-large thanks is owed to Janice “Queen Bee” Tower—who has waded through a morass of bureaucracy over the past three years while doing an unbelievable amount of work to get us to this point—and to Lisa Holzapfel of the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Lisa is an invaluable ally and supporter of our efforts.

And thank you to all of you who have donated money, attended STA fundraisers, testified at public meetings and otherwise given your moral support toward the effort. All of this is greatly appreciated.

We are still on schedule for a targeted ground breaking on July 15!

Time to be heard

2008-04-04T19:28:00.001-08:00

On Thursday, April 10, at 6 p.m. in the Spenard Recreation Center, we are on the Parks & Rec Commission Agenda as an action item. The request is to go forward with building ½ of the total scope of the project—essentially the entire southern section of the project area. We will need a lot of supporters at this meeting, so please be there to possibly testify on our behalf, emphasizing not only mountain biking but the multi-use aspect of the project. Let’s show that we’d like more singletrack in Anchorage!

A big success

2008-03-17T21:09:00.004-08:00

We'd like to give a big "thank you" to Sage Cohen for an inspiring slide show last Friday night. Because of the generosity shown by Sage and the folks who attended her standing-room-only show, we raised approximately $1,600 in donations. With matching funds from the Park Foundation factored in, that means we have an additional $3,200 to help build new singletrack in Anchorage!

So additional thanks are due to everyone who pitched in.

For those eager to see more details on the planned trail network, keep an eye on this site. We're working on a map that we hope to post here soon.

If you missed the slide show, or you haven't yet made a donation to our trail fund, please click on our PayPal button or follow the instructions in the post below to find out how you can help. As great as $3,200 sounds, it is still just one step in a long journey; we still need more help to make the trails a reality.

We're getting there, but we can't do it without you. Please invest in the future of mountain biking in Anchorage. We'll all benefit.

Trail fund update

2008-03-06T21:19:00.001-09:00

Greeting Singletrack Advocates,

With temps in the 40s and all this wind, it won’t be long till we’re out riding the dirt!

My recent call for donations brought in $830!!! For every hundred dollars raised we can build about 30 feet of trail. This round of donors can place their names on about 250 feet of singletrack! If we get the Anchorage Park Foundation 1:1 match, they’ve leveraged another 250 feet.

If you work for a company that gives matching gifts, here’s how to turn a $100 gift into $400: make your gift, apply for the corporate match (now you’re up to $200), and with the Park Foundation match your $100 becomes $400!

But hey—no donation is too small or any less valuable. It all goes to help build singletrack.

You can donate to the trail fund online by clicking on our PayPal button. Unfortunately if you donate to STA directly your contribution is not tax-deductible. But you can get airline miles if you’re using a credit card. If you donate through our 501(c)3 funding partner, Alaska Trails, your gift IS tax-deductible. Please make checks to:

Alaska Trails
c/o Singletrack Advocates
PO Box 240574
Anchorage, AK 99507

Let’s build trails!

Janice Tower

How you can help

2008-02-25T20:07:00.004-09:00

We've added a PayPal button on the right-hand side of this page to make it even easier for people to help us build more of what we all love—singletrack!

Simply click on the link if you prefer to donate electronically.

To make a tax-deductible donation, you can send a check to our our project partner, Alaska Trails Inc. a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization. Make your check payable to Alaska Trails Inc., and mail it to Singletrack Advocates, P.O. Box 240574, Anchorage, AK 99524.

For more information contact info@singletrackadvocates.org.

We need you

2008-02-21T22:33:00.001-09:00

We have been hard at work over the past year to bring you Alaska’s first system of soft-surface, narrow trails sustainably built for mountain bikes and foot traffic to meet the need of users who enjoy the recreation opportunities provided by trails that retain more of the natural characteristics of the landscape. This is an update of our fund-raising efforts and a plea to our friends to pitch in and contribute to the project. Today I was notified that we will receive $50,000 from our Recreational Trails Program grant!

To date we have raised $191,571 through federal, state and private contributions. Our fund-raising goal is $264,000. Please consider this an official plea to help us reach our goal.

The Anchorage Park Foundation will match dollar-per-dollar, financial contributions, volunteer time and inkind support toward park projects, up to a maximum of $40,000. We are $72,429 short of meeting our goal. If we raise $40,000 as a group, the Park Foundation will kick in $40,000. Sounds like a good deal to me! I have not pushed hard for private contributions until now. With a good showing from the private community we will reach our goal and make our dream of building singletrack a reality. The Kincaid Project Group sent out a newsletter stating that the ski community steps up for snowmaking . . . NSAA members give generously . . . they have raised $36,000 from 191 members.

If your company participates in a matching gift program, you can leverage even more funds for this project. Your donation is tax-deductible when you contribute to us via our project partner, Alaska Trails, Inc. a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization. Make checks payable to Alaska Trails Inc., and send to Singletrack Advocates, PO Box 240574, Anchorage, AK 99524

I’d like to thank the following contributors thus far:

Alaska Trails Initiative Grant: $91,571
Private contributions: $10,000
Slana Surveyors Inc.: $1,000
Arctic Bicycle Club: $4,000
REI Inc.: $5,000
National Park Service, Challenge Cost Share Program: $30,000
State of Alaska Recreational Trails Program: $50,000

TOTAL: $191,571

You said you wanted to build singletrack! So let’s get 'er done!!!

Janice Tower
Chair, STA

Help us build trails!

2008-02-15T22:49:00.002-09:00

Singletrack Advocates is seeking matching donations for an Anchorage Park Foundation Grant.

The Anchorage Park Foundation will award up to $40,000 to organizations seeking to improve parks and trails. The Rasmuson Foundation contributed $1 for every $1 raised in a campaign to stimulate philanthropy for Anchorage parks. The maximum matching award amount for a project will be $40,000. Singletrack Advocates will apply for funding to help build the Hillside Singletrack Trail.

STA needs to raise $40,000 through private contributions! Any amount of donation is appreciated, but please consider giving generously. Contributions are tax deductible when made payable to our partner organization, ALASKA TRAILS, INC., a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. For more information please contact Janice Tower at jtower@alaska.com.

Send contributions to: Singletrack Advocates, PO Box 240574, Anchorage, AK 99507

Fund-raising update

2008-02-07T18:38:00.000-09:00

We received the full amount of our request to the National Park Service, Challenge Cost Share Grant for $30,000! This money will pay for crews to do the hand-finish work on the trail system we're planning. The plan is to utilize a combination of Parks & Rec’s “Youth Employment in Parks” program (3 days of work) and the SAGA trail crew from Juneau (3 weeks of work). Thanks so much to Lisa Holzapfel with the National Park Service RTCA, our friends at Alaska Trails and Parks & Rec for their support!

Here’s the fund-raising tally thus far:

Alaska Trails Initiative Grant: $91,571*
Private contributions: $11,000
Arctic Bicycle Club donation: $2,000
REI Grant: $5,000
NPS, Challenge Cost Share: $30,000

TOTAL: $139,571

* We are waiting to hear a confirmation from the ORTAB board on whether we’ll actually get what they approved us for in the preliminary round.

We are also waiting to hear about the RTP grant from Alaska State Parks for $50,000. Also in the hopper is a grant from the American Hiking Society for $5,000, and Janice will be submitting an application for the Park Foundation for $40,000.

Mark your calendars

2008-02-01T18:53:00.002-09:00

Trails for winter cycling

2008-01-16T20:37:00.001-09:00

Here are some guidelines for which trails are open for cycling in the winter months.

Any trail that is a part of the paved, greenbelt trail system is open. This includes the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Chester & Campbell Creek trails and the paved portion of Russian Jack Springs Park.

Any natural surface (non-paved) trail in Kincaid Park that is groomed for skiing should be avoided. Some singletrack trails, however, are used in the winter months, particularly near the bluff just below the chalet.

Non-paved trails in Russian Jack and on the APU campus that are groomed for skiing should be avoided as a courtesy.

Far North Bicentennial Park and the Campbell Tract are the most popular areas for snow riding because of the the miles of multi-use routes. Multi-use means anything that is not limited to ski or mushing only. Most maps include legends that show which routes are open to multi-use. Before you go onto the trails, get a map of the park and study it; then take it with you.

The current rules for Chugach State Park show that routes open to cycling in the winter months are the same as those open in the summer. (We’re trying to change that.) Click here to find out which trails open to bicycles in Chugach State Park.

For information on the Anchorage area trails, get a copy of the Anchorage Cross Country Ski Trails Map, produced by the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage (NSAA). It’s available at most bike or ski shops. (While there is a downloadable version on the NSAA website, it’s not up-to-date.) The trail guide "Mountain Bike Anchorage" includes a chapter on winter cycling and lists routes that are open to winter bicycling. It’s also available at area bike shops and book stores, among other places. It includes maps of routes in the Chugach State Park.

The NSAA grooms some of the multi-use trails. You can find the grooming report on that group’s website.

Coming to a trailhead near you

2007-12-20T20:54:00.001-09:00

Just in time for the arrival of real winter, new posters prepared and provided by Singletrack Advocates will soon be showing up at trailhead kiosks and bike-shop counters all over Anchorage.

With design work donated by local cyclist Rob German, these posters will provide all cyclists some useful tips on how to have more fun and play nicely with other user groups. Keep an eye out for them, and please be sure to mention them to new winter riders.

And if you know Rob, thank him for donating his time and talent to design a very cool—and useful—poster,

All we need now is a little more snow!

Winter riding tips

2007-10-26T20:49:00.000-08:00

The snow is coming and the trails will soon be ready to ride, winter style! At special trails events over the past couple of years, we've shared some tips that can make winter riding more fun while building better relations with other user groups.

If you're new to winter riding, or if you just want a refresher course before hitting the trails again, our tips are below. Get out there and have a good time.

1. Be Prepared
Dress for the conditions and carry an extra layer.
Carry an extra tube, a pump and tools.

2. Ride Multi-Use Trails
Winter biking is prohibited
on ski-only and dog mushing trails.

3. Be Courteous
Yield the trail to other users and signal to pass.

4. Fuel Up
Carry high-energy food and water.

5. If In Doubt, Let Air Out
If your tires dig into the snow,
the trail is too soft to ride on,
or you have too much pressure in your tires.

6. Avoid Freshly Groomed Trails
Freshly groomed snow takes several hours to set-up.
Refrain from riding until the trail surface is firm.

7. Stud Your Shoes
Insert sheet-metal screws into the sole
of each shoe for more secure footing.

8. Wider Wheels = Easier Riding
Fat tires improve flotation.

Another step forward

2007-10-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

The National Park Service—Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program has announced that it will be providing technical assistance to Singletrack Advocates for the 2008 Fiscal Year (October 1, 2007, through September 30, 2008).

RTCA will assist with navigating the planning, permitting and public process; converting ideas into action; providing sustainable trail design and construction options and alternatives; producing GPS and GIS trail and resource maps; locating additional funding sources and opportunities.

This will go a long way toward making the Hillside Singletrack Trail System a reality!

More on National Public Lands Day

2007-09-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

HELP WANTED!
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

Far North Bicentennial Park/Hillside Trail Signage and Kiosk Project
Saturday, September 29th
Meet at 8:30 a.m.
North end of Hilltop Ski Area Parking Lot
Please sign in and identify yourself as a Singletrack Advocate

Bring brushing tools, shovels or battery operated drills.
Leaders: Gordon Wetzel and Brian Looney
Help install kiosk materials, cut and set posts and mount trail signs that inform users of the name of trail, winter use, a locator map, and the distances to nearest trail heads. This project effort is Phase 2 of improving trail & park safety through better trail signage and improved trailhead kiosks that the trail user coalition was successful in getting support from Alaska State Parks, the Anchorage Park Foundation and user groups.

FREE LUNCH PARTY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AT 12:30
BLM Campbell Creek Science Center