Double Wide Massacre on Trail 680

[GoGoGordo]

I know that we didn't talk about this trail but cats out of the bag now, I saw this last week and waited to see if anyone would say anything and frankly I'm stunned no one has said a peep but this is just awful.
Bring your wheelchairs cause now it's a double wide.
Flame on...

[erik1245]

Meh. That's pretty much all we have to ride for XC in Pacifica. Except in some parts it's paved.

[Empty_Beer]

If that's a brand new trail (brand new cut), give it about a year and there well be a defined "singletrack" worn in, with weeds re-growing on the inner and outer edges. New trails (cut by machine) never look that great until they've aged a bit.

[Brewtality]

I would not be so reactionary about things.
When trail work is done properly, it must be done with future wear and tear in mind.
The grass will grow in. The sides will erode away. That trail will be narrow and fun in the future.

[Fairfaxian]

Many forces came to bear on 680. MCOSD has to answer to many factions, rules, & demands. Sometimes you need to ride a fire road to get to heaven. In this case its a wide singletrack. Remember than many local residents have had long time access curtailed -and that's what this is mostly about. I know what I "prefer" -primitive rocky singletrack with risk, challenge, views, ADVENTURE!. But in the end, there will be a sizable conduit between Loma Alta & points East. You'll get a good burn, with killer views and be able to connect many choice trials. Glass Half Full.

And remember that every cyclists time gain access, that is PROGRESS. MCOSD, and CA State Parks are becoming more pro-bike. It doesn't all come at once. (I just hope all the good options open up before I'm to old to ride 'em)

And the trails you love, will be back after construction.

[Berkeley Mike]

It is ugly now but it will be fine.

Really.

[dsnow23]

There will be a public meeting this weekend where they will be listening to input about the future of trails in Marin. So, if you want to see specific trails opened up, you should go. The meeting is this Saturday. More info at http://www.maringov.org/Depts/PK/Our...ects/RTMP.aspx. Scroll about half way down the page for info about the meeting. They want people to RSVP so they have enough materials for everyone. The more mountain bikers, the better.

Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm (Doors open at 8:00am)
Location: Marin Health and Wellness Campus Connection Center, 3240 Kerner Boulevard, San Rafael

[jchewey]

Originally Posted by dsnow23

There will be a public meeting this weekend where they will be listening to input about the future of trails in Marin. So, if you want to see specific trails opened up, you should go. The meeting is this Saturday. More info at http://www.maringov.org/Depts/PK/Our...ects/RTMP.aspx. Scroll about half way down the page for info about the meeting. They want people to RSVP so they have enough materials for everyone. The more mountain bikers, the better.

Date: Saturday, June 18, 2011
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm (Doors open at 8:00am)
Location: Marin Health and Wellness Campus Connection Center, 3240 Kerner Boulevard, San Rafael

If you are one of the Whiners about this trail now is your chance to speak up or **** up.

[bicyclemech1]

They cut in the singletrack in my favorite little area behind my work.
It's all illegal, but it kicks ass now.
It took 3 years for it to be totally flow-ey, bermed and natural looking.

[slide mon]

RIP Meditation trail. I struggled for a year in 1 dab territory before finally cleaning it. I cleaned it pretty regularly for a year or two but last couple trips up it this year I got bit near the end. Would have liked to have finished on a good note.

-slide

[Axe]

Looks ok to me. It will look better once the sides are grown over.

[Yody]

Most of the good stuff is still there once you transverse over, the connector single track was cool and all but as long as they don't kill the DH single track everything will be okay. I haven't posted anything about it because I kinda liked how previously it did not have a lot of bike traffic, seems those who know don't mention it much to keep it that way. Unfortunately this new trail is going to create much more attention. (along with this thread)

The real crappy thing is that every entrance to the "fun stuff" is closed until september until they finish the work. Of course if they're not working no problem to slip by, but I was up there just last week and there were rangers all over the place and guys on ATV's rolling around hauling supplies. After doing a loop of tamarancho, white hill, and then going up gunshot, all the way up to the top of the ridge ready to drop down. I had to freaking turn around, and decided to ride all the way down gunshot, all the way back up white hill, down B-17 and finished the Tamarancho loop, that was a real ball buster. I always wondered just how crappy it would be to ride up gunshot and then backdown, it lived up to all my expectations

[highdelll]

I don't get it....

[jeng]

Originally Posted by Yody

I always wondered just how crappy it would be to ride up gunshot and then backdown, it lived up to all my expectations

Dude, today I just had to do the same. What a let down!! I hope they don't take away my favorite Marin trail but so far Marin has totally lived up to it's sucky reputation when it comes to trail access.

Looks like from the report they want to shut down the best parts in trade for their new "masterpiece". This is a direct quote from the Trail 680 report:

"Another consideration is the potential for conflict with existing trail users in the
project vicinity. The social trail known as Solstice Trail, which descends from
Loma Alta Open Space Preserve down to San Domenico School, is a well known
and frequently used trail that advanced level cyclists seek out because of itʼs high
degree of challenge, flow and specific type of trail experience. The proposed 680
Trail Alignment utilizes a section of this existing trail, crossing it six times and
wholly incorporating a short section of it. It will be challenging to change the
historic pattern of use along this section of trail and the existing users will likely
be upset over the loss of the specific type of experience it provided. These issues
can be addressed through the design and construction of the new trail, closure of
the existing trail segments that will not be adopted, and outreach and education
of the user groups."

[zorg]

Outreach and education...?

[jeng]

Originally Posted by zorg

Outreach and education...?

Yea, perhaps they are going to teach us that we should not be riding on rocks It's nice that they are building a multi user trail in Marin but there is no need to close the current trail.

I don't live in Marin, thank god, so I don't hold any weight when it comes to trail politics in those parts. I do plenty of my own work where I live. I would make a request that all you locals put down the bong and get involved with this to make sure things get done right.

[Piranha426]

Justin and others -

The closure of Solstice is only temporary - and it's closed only because the access to it is closed. No one should be riding 680/Meditation Trail right now. I know it's tempting, but please, folks, don't fark things up for those of us that worked so hard to get this trail approved in the first place.

The "trail segments" subject to permanent closure that the 680 report refers to do not include portions of Solstice. Solstice is on San Domenico property. From page 18 of the NegDec: "District staff does not have the authority to prevent the use of existing social trails on private property." The "trail segments" subject to closure mentioned in the NegDec are portions of Meditation Trail that were not incorporated into the alignment of the 680 Trail. Those are on MCOSD land and are subject to closure.

We are incredibly lucky to still have access to Solstice, since San Domenico can kick us off any time they like. I hear rumblings that the new headmaster at San Domenico is considering developing a new master plan for the property that could change the status of this access. Let's all try to be considerate and remember that we are guests of San Domenico whenever we ride Solstice.

[Yody]

Good post above, but do realize that both Justin and I turned around and rode back down the fireroad, as we both just previously posted.

[Haus Boss]

Parts of the 680 trail DO overlap w/ the some upper portions of Solstice- I was up there a few week and can confirm this first hand. Since 680 is closed to trail users until it is completed, the only legal way to access solstice is by taking the Fire Road up from San Domenico and then cutting left at the old skid road that ends at the rusted and shot out old truck- or you can try your luck climbing up solstice!

When 680 is finished, we will have a nice little loop for those who want to hit Solstice multiple times.

[polymathic]

Thanks for pointing out the alternative legal way to Solstice, Haus. I hadn't thought of that route.

[Piranha426]

Originally Posted by Yody

Good post above, but do realize that both Justin and I turned around and rode back down the fireroad, as we both just previously posted.

I hear you; I wasn't trying to call you out and I apologize if I came off that way. There's a lot going on right now in Marin in terms of MTB access: 680's getting constructed, the Bill's Trail EIR is out, and the RTMP process continues to move forward. Some of us (OK, me) are a little on edge as a result...

Anyway, Jeng, freaking call when you're in town, OK?!?

[jeng]

Originally Posted by Piranha426

Anyway, Jeng, freaking call when you're in town, OK?!?

Sure thing. Since I get weekdays off and have to work weekends I kind of got tired of people saying that "it must be nice" to ride in the middle of the week when I would invite them... Hey, perhaps with your connections you could get us to be trail testers. Someone needs to make sure their design works

[Yody]

Originally Posted by Piranha426

I hear you; I wasn't trying to call you out and I apologize if I came off that way. There's a lot going on right now in Marin in terms of MTB access: 680's getting constructed, the Bill's Trail EIR is out, and the RTMP process continues to move forward. Some of us (OK, me) are a little on edge as a result...

Anyway, Jeng, freaking call when you're in town, OK?!?

No worries, I did say something about possibly slipping by when no workers are there, so I see where you're coming from. I'd like to find that other access route just mentioned.

[Ryan G.]

Originally Posted by Yody

No worries, I did say something about possibly slipping by when no workers are there, so I see where you're coming from. I'd like to find that other access route just mentioned.

The other route is even middle ring pedal friendly

[Yody]

Originally Posted by Ryan G.

The other route is even middle ring pedal friendly

Nice, i've been thinking about going single ring up front but I ride tamarnacho-gunshot-solstice way too often. I'd never make it even halfway up Gunshot without my 22T! Good to hear about this other option, especially if its legal