Project Details
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Reserves Trails Project!
Background
The user-created directional Private Reserve trails on Mt. Elden were an original talking-point between Flagstaff Biking Organization and the US Forest Service that led eventually to the Mount Elden/Dry Lake Hills Recreation Plan (MEDL), approved in 2022. The MEDL plan has greatly improved on both the quantity and quality of trails in the project area, with nearly 40 miles of new and realigned trail to date, but it is important to note that only 4 trails were included in the plan intended primarily for directional mountain bike use. Two of the trails (Meteoride and Full Sail) have been constructed to date by a combination of forest service trail crew, volunteer labor, and a Flagstaff Biking Organization-hired, grant-funded, contract builder. The remaining two, an adoption of parts of the legacy Private Reserve trail, and what would be an entirely new trail located in the nearby Oldham Canyon, are the projects for which we are currently fundraising. These two remaining trails will flesh out a complete skills progression for riders on the MEDL Trail System, from the beginner-intermediate Full Sail to the double-black advanced challenge of Private Reserve.
The Trails
These two new trails are described in MEDL as providing for a progressive and challenging mountain biking experience, building on the other trails in the mostly shared-use trail system that provide options for riders of all abilities. Specifically, and in partnership with the US Forest Service, Flagstaff Biking Organization is planning to hire a contractor to build these technically challenging trails.
The two trails will consist of:
1) a single black hybrid flow trail that combines machine-built berms, rollers, and jumps with natural terrain features that add challenge (sometimes referred to as tech flow), and
2) a double black with jumps, gradients and exposure that are bigger and non-optional. This highly technical trail will have a mix of rugged, natural rocky, rooty singletrack and rock slabs interspersed with machine-built options, including an initial jump line which gets a double black technical rating because of size and gaps in the features.
A word about skills progression on trail systems, community and resources...
One of the main objectives for the Mount Elden Dry Lake Hills Trails System Planning was to address unmet trail user needs. Some of this need was expressed by users building the unsanctioned Reserves trails.
Unauthorized trails like this result in adverse impacts to the landscape, wildlife, cultural and archaeological resources and more. Additionally, these trails cannot legally be maintained, improved upon, or made safe.
Ideally a well-designed trail system provides for a diverse array of user types and progression of skill levels.
Read more...
This type of progression is designed into other types of recreational experiences like ski areas. A ski area that only provided bunny slopes and a blue run or two would quickly lose public interest. Accordingly ski area designers incorporate steeper terrain in some runs to engage a broad array of skiing enthusiasts’ interest.
Why can’t the Reserves just stay like they are? Some people may like the Reserves Trails as they are currently, and we respect that. These trails are on National Forest lands, and are therefore subject to a substantial array of laws and policies. The current user-created Reserves Trails are partially located in Endangered Species habitat. This designation is meant to protect wildlife that is threatened with extinction if measures are not taken to protect it.
To the credit of the Coconino National Forest leadership, no efforts have been made to remove these trails preemptively over the past ~20 years. However, whether or not new alignments are put on the ground per the Decision on the Mount Elden Dry Lake Hills Trails Planning (MEDL), the Forest will be required, by law, to obliterate the old alignments at some point.
The inclusion of these designated routes is a huge victory for mountain biking that survived years of analysis, and substantial public input that was often vehemently opposed to this type of trail generally and these trails specifically. Basically, if we don’t get these trails on the ground, at some point there will be no Reserves Trails at all.
Mountain biking provides a desirable, healthy outlet for people of all ages and abilities to explore their public lands. Progressive trail systems are the best way to promote these values, and they are particularly engaging for young riders who seek increasing challenge as their skill sets progress.
The inclusive nature of a progressive trail system also benefits the local economy since a complete selection of trail options will encourage tourist visitation and spending in local hotels, restaurants, and other local retail businesses.
The project is being planned to occur in two phases:
Phase 1: Adoption with realignments of Private Reserve trail including the upper and lower parts of the single-black trail. This 2.1 miles of combined trail would start near the top of Elden Lookout Road as a short climbing trail from the upper Sunset parking area to the hill behind one of the radio towers followed by a single-black jump line meant to graduate riders from existing intermediate jumps on other trails in the area. There will then be a short connecting trail built that connects to a double black jump line eventually leading to the rocky ridgeline section of Private Reserve. Towards the bottom, a new section of trail will be built that contours back to Oldham Canyon connecting to a shared (with Phase 2) run-out to the very bottom of Upper Oldham Trail. This latter single-black will eventually become part of the single-black trail planned for Phase 2.
Phase 2: A 1.4 mile single-black tech flow trail that would enter the steep Oldham Canyon at a split with the connector trail above, then descend through dense forest with natural undulations in terrain, crossing the dry drainage numerous times and utilizing steep slopes for banked turns. The bottom of this trail will be more gradual in grade and will connect to the Private Reserve trail described above with both trails sharing the same run-out trail built in Phase 1.
All construction will need to occur from the late summer through the fall because of wildlife habitat concerns.
We are currently focusing on fundraising for Phase 1
The fundraising goal for this phase is $240,000. The entire project, when Phase 2 is complete, is expected to cost approximately $400,000.
(See Map for more detail.)
Flagstaff Biking Organization will be handling the coordination of this project in partnership with our contractor, Momentum Trail Concepts, and the Coconino National Forest. We were a key stakeholder and instigator in the planning that led to this trail, and many more, as part of the MEDL Project. We have been instrumental in implementing numerous other trails and projects in the Flagstaff area for over two decades. We can get this project done, but we need the funding to do it.
We would like to put your mind at ease by reassuring you that all of your sponsorship money goes to putting this trail on the ground. We are a 100% volunteer driven organization.
Please review the Sponsorship Benefits if you’d like to be a business sponsor for these projects.
Please donate now to help us reach our first goal to implement Phase 1!
Please contact us with any questions, or to let us know how you would like to support this project, by July 1st.
Thank you for your consideration!
Anthony Quintile and Joe Hazel
Flagstaff Biking Organization
Flagstaff Biking Organization is a tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit. We raise funds through events, grants, business sponsorships, donations and personal supporters. Our organization is 100% volunteer driven.
