Natural High

[buja99]

This trail needs major work - and given the ease of accessibility I think this trail deserves some attention. There are not many low mountain options on Fromme and this trail is unique in that it has stunts on it. Now King of Eville has looked into fixing it up and the DNV appears to be onside so long as no new stunts are built.

Anyone interested? I know jack about building / fixing trails but I really like this trail and would love to see it improved.

[Tonestar]

Is there finally a permit to work on this trail, check "The Crappiest Ladder Ever", the talk has been ongoing for months. If repairs are up and going, I will lend a hand where I can, just let me know when and where, I will see if I can make it.

[Big Dipper]

Please, let this trail die!

[TheGiggler]

Please, let this trail die!


?

i think it should live for sure, just as a natural line... why not.

[Jimmy-James]

Please, let this trail die!


WTF!!!! i love that trail, even in its current state. the gap to high(ish) bridge to drop and so on is one of the funner sections on fromme. from top to bottom one of my fave's perfect when you're short on time but wanting a little stunt fix

what is your problem with the trail?

j

[KING-OF E-VILLE]

WTF!!!! i love that trail, even in its current state. the gap to high(ish) bridge to drop and so on is one of the funner sections on fromme. from top to bottom one of my fave's perfect when you're short on time but wanting a little stunt fix

what is your problem with the trail?

j


Exactly. I hit it after work often when I'm short for time and just want a quick rip in the woods. I think the Natural high has an awsome flow, and is a very good line selection. It is dangerously unstable at this time, but some love could bring it back. I feel it would be a shame to let the forest re-claim this one.

[LeeLau]

It's a shitty-builder magnet. I wanted to say grom magnet but that would be insulting to groms.

[ShoreIH]

I asked about fixing it a long time back, and was shut down out right.

[TheGiggler]

this trail and "Immanator" are so low and close to Mountain View Park that they are pretty darn high-profile.

to me, if the DNV said no stunts that low, i could totally respect that. but that's just my take that the low trails should be full on natural due to the shit load of stunts we have higher up.

and to fix the stunts on either Natural High or Immanator is a huge project requiring a ton of wood and time. pretty much every piece of wood work on them would need to be rebuilt,,,

[cam@nsmb.com]

I like it too. Great fun. The rock large rock to ramp is always exciting.

[KING-OF E-VILLE]

Yo Statix

I agree that these trails are High Profile. but that is why I feel they should be fixed up.

I agree that they are "Shitty Trail Builder" Magnets too. but that is because they are in such bad shape that the un-experianced builders / riders are trying to patch up the problems just to keep these great trails alive.

As for the DNV's no stunt rule. Its "no new stunts". I have spoken to the DNV and they are willing to grant me a permit to re-build the stunts. Currently, the stunts are dangerously constructed, yet still ridable. this poses a big concern for the DNV. they must either rip out all the stunts to prevent future injury due to the poor condition of the stunts, or grant a premit to allow the trail to be re-worked and constructed safely. Graham at the DNV told me he would like to walk it with me prior to issueing the work permit, but indicated that they support the upgrading of this trail.

I believe the NSMBA would be doing a huge service to the MTB community by spearheading an upgrade program on these 2 trails. First, the quality constuction will show the Non-MTB community how beautiful a well built trail can be. (lots of hikers and Dog walkers see these trails. (right now they make us look bad. they are junk yards in the forest), Secondly, the up-dated and improved trails will be safer for all riders. and Third. these trails are an awsome training ground for younger riders who can't quite make the big hill climb to the higher stunts, or for the riders who don't have 3 hours to spare to get a ride in.

these trails both have great lines, flow well, and already exist with sweet stunts. to lose these stunts in a "No New Stunt" environment would be a Shame.

I bet the NSMBA would get a lot of support to re-built. Its too much work for 1 person, Since there is huge problems with getting construction material this low down, so most will have to be imported. If NSMBA and the DNV work together on a material collection campain for this comming summer, these trails could be fully up-grade by a few good builders. All that is needed is a big Coordinated effort to gather Material.

I smell trail day.

[TheGiggler]

E-Ville, you bring up good points. bring them to the NSMBA AGM and maybe you could get a trail day, IF you plan and lead it.

you guys are all talking about new riders and such ... IMO, we could make about 10 times the improvement to beginner riders by working on Roadside, Griffen and King of the Shore.

Roadside, Griffen and King of the Shore are beat, ugly and mudholes in the winter. they've seen little work in 7+ years. in addition, these are the main beginner trails on fromme and they probably see about 10X the traffic of Natural High, in addition to TONS of hikers.

i'm not saying Natural High is a bad trail or that the stunts dont flow.

i'm saying, as someone who does trail work on fromme, this trail is a VERY low priority to me, and if there was a trail day on it i'd be more inclined to f*9k off and do my own thing on other trails ...

i'm not trying to piss on your cornflakes, i'm just trying to give you some insight into why it might be hard getting people to work on it. but if you can, and DNV approves, it, awesome! :)

[KING-OF E-VILLE]

Hi Statix.

I have been working on Lower Griffen for 2 summers now. Its been slow since I just had a my second kid 2 years ago, and Injured my back last summer, but any time I have had free, I have put into the Lower switchbacks on Griffen. It is still my priority at this point. I have the drainage pretty much under control, and now am working of rocking in as much stuff as I can. I agree that the trails you list need work, and I agree with your numbers too. Don't really know how to respond to your comments. I just would hate to see the DNV rip out these 2 Funky trails because of neglect. the trails you list do not have the stunts that Natural High and Immonator have. therefore they are not as much of a priority to repair IMHO

[TheGiggler]

Hi Statix.

I have been working on Lower Griffen for 2 summers now. Its been slow since I just had a my second kid 2 years ago, and Injured my back last summer, but any time I have had free, I have put into the Lower switchbacks on Griffen. It is still my priority at this point. I have the drainage pretty much under control, and now am working of rocking in as much stuff as I can. I agree that the trails you list need work, and I agree with your numbers too. Don't really know how to respond to your comments. I just would hate to see the DNV rip out these 2 Funky trails because of neglect. the trails you list do not have the stunts that Natural High and Immonator have. therefore they are not as much of a priority to repair IMHO


yeah i was there on the griffen switchbacks mini trail day... that was a great project you did! OK, and there was a trail day in summer of 2004. but that's about it for the past 7 years as far as i know ...

this might be good to discuss at the AGM as the lower trails in general are rather neglected ... that much we can agree on :)

it could probably even be worked to have a trail day on the lower trails in general with groups on N.H. and the others ...

i don't think there is much chance we'd lose Natural High or Immanator all together, the question in my mind is a) will they allow the stunts to be rebuilt and b) where would all that wood come from... a lot of materials are required!

anyways...

[Sharon]

We had two trail days on Griffen in 2004 ( one down near MVP, other higher up). Peter Morin is also working on it.

We also had a lot of questions as to why we were wasting trail days on these trails rather then on the more popular trails.

In 2005 I was trying to implement 'mini' trail days to work on Griffen sponsored by BSP who was keen. Unfortunately we don't have anyone willing or wanting to lead it. There was a fair bit of talk though.

Maybe next year we can find someone to take the lead on some mini days.

[TheGiggler]

We had two trail days on Griffen in 2004 ( one down near MVP, other higher up). Peter Morin is also working on it.

We also had a lot of questions as to why we were wasting trail days on these trails rather then on the more popular trails.



those were Only the groms. i didnt hear any complaints from anyone over 18.

and the work that was done on Griffen was huge and way over due ...

i'm in support of full trail days down there for '06 .... pipeline and espresso which normally get a couple days each are both flowing pretty well ...

[Sharon]

the lower trails would be perfect for mini or evening trail days with smaller groups.

Save the big trail days for the trails that take longer to get to.

There are groups who have expressed interest in doing trail work but can't make it out on Sundays.

I guess we could hook these groups up with Peter or Jeremy for the grant work from now on instead of getting them onto smaller projects.

I find the mini days, like the one we had on the switchbacks, tend to be far more productive.