Sierra Buttes encourages recreational trail fun
A biker picks up the speed. “The great thing about Mt. Hough trails,” said Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship coordinator Mandy Beatty, “is the degree of difficulty is dependent upon your speed.” Photo by Mari Erin Roth
It’s not all work and no play for volunteers with Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. It is very much a lot about having fun.
During the Quincy Mountain Epic weekend April 28 through 30, outdoor enthusiasts were provided the means to utilize the trails they showed up to maintain.
Almost 20 mountain bikes were transported up Mt. Hough to a scenic departure site for a downhill run on the closing day of the event April 30.
“Our goal was to get 65 people out and on the trail to do some maintenance this weekend,” said SBTS event organizer Mandy Beatty.
While receiving an orientation on projects and methods the stewardship hopes to tackle this season, volunteers who came to the “epic weekend” also found companionship with like-minded folk.
“I went to the Epic to meet the folks who run the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship,” said local volunteer Janet Crain. “They are amazing. They have a paid staff and paid trail workers in addition to the many activities of volunteers.”
Volunteers worked in groups improving the new “Chandler” trail on Mount Hough. “We are open to suggestions for naming the new trail,” said Beatty.
“Our group of people finished the new Chandler Trail which is a short trail, about a mile long, linking two forest service roads,” said Crain. “The view of American Valley is outstanding.”
To further encourage use of the abundant trails in local forests, which SBTS maintains, three mountain bike adventures are planned in or near Plumas County in the coming months.
First up is the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder beginning June 3; next is the original race, the Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race, starting Aug. 3. The last in the series is the Grinduro that kicks off Oct. 7.
More information on the bike races and SBTS can be found at sierratrails.org.
