I have started building a single-track trail near Med. Park(the unfortunate fires have cleared the terrain temporarily). Granted its not Durango Co., but it does feature challenging elevation changes and it is mostly technical. It is fairly short at the time, yet it could be linked to other established trails nearby making for a good ride. I feel this area has the potential for great mtb. trails, to complement the existing double wide jeep trail offered around base of Mt. Scott. Yes the Scott trail offers a good aerobic work-out, but does not provide "single track euphoria". The key word here is single track.
So what is my point? I am simply testing the waters, or trying to get a nucleus of support to get a trail or "trails" started on public land surrounding Med. Park and or Lake Lawtonka. Yes I am aware of the S.T. on West side of Lake presently closed for Elmer Fudd and Bambi, could this trail be expanded to circle the Lake? I know Fort Sill's terrain is prime for trails, but I know the U.S. Army will never grant acreage to bike riders. They have a bigger mission, plus a carbon frame would offer no protection for a round from a MLRS. But what about the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge? Could someone please convince Smokey the Bear that a mtn bike trail will not harm the black capped vireos. They like mountain bikers, so would the local economy.
So now that my "spoiled child" rant is over I want to sum it up. Biking is a quality of life issue for me and I hope others, and I see many acres of unused terrain ripe for mtn. biking, but due to lack of interest from the public, the potential remains only potential. What do we do? Discuss the Lake Lawtonka issue with City of Lawton, perhaps instead of building more trailer house pads, they could spend a little on a healthy bike trail. As for the Wichita Mountains, be present at the next public use forum and voice your opinion. I am not the political type who makes banners and camps on library lawns... just someone who has a passion.
Looks like we had a good meeting this morning. Hopefully this is the start to building better trails in our community! So, Sunday begins the change we're hoping for!!
Sorry JV!! On Sunday, 15 JAN, we're meeting up to ride and review possible trails for the City of Lawton. Meeting at the refugeg, just north of the LETRA parking lot at noon. Not sure how many will be there, but we plan to ride the trails on city property, west of Lake Lawtonka and explore areas for improvement; trying to set up some nice single track that can connect to the refuge double track. Hope to see ya there!!!
Thanks for your participation. It is ironic that I put that "rant" up approx. 1.5 months before being contacted by our new Lakes and Land Dir. from City of Lawton with a proposal to build a dedicated advanced mtn. bike trail on City Property... what are you kidding? I was surprised.
Anyway, yes it is on now. Needless to say the area we rode Sunday has "tons" of potential. We are meeting Saturday at noon to further the trail. btw: I have marked what I think is an awesome beginning to a new trail, it borders the lake and heads into chunky singletrack in the trees. To find it(orange & white flags), simply look to the right (East) after crossing the first lake inlet. ie: it's not directly after crossing the walk fence with your bike. There is a lot of walking, marking, surveying left to do to create a giant loop, connecting to the existing ST, and presently there is alot of "light tree trimming-only enough to allow a shoulder width and head high). Once done, it could be excellent.
So, if the majority of the Mtb riders do not like my starting track (its not an ego thing for me, just want to make this happen), we can make changes. But the sooner we pick a line and continue to ride it, the sooner we will have buff single track in our backyard.
It was a great ride guys!!! Being a novice/intermidate rider, the trail definately tested my and my Kona's abilitties.. I'll bring along some trimming tools Saturday, and let's get get this party started!
Mike
Sorry guys, not going to make it this weekend.
My son and I are catching my Wife's cold.
I know this is a long term project so we will try to make it next time.
Amigos,
I'm at trail head, for those who care, bring it. The trail is developing- now headed north towards MEdicine Creek. It's gonna take lots of grooming, as there are mucho bowling ball sized rocks etc that need attention. However, this trail has it all . Climbing, swoops through creek beds, cross country open single track. Anyway , I'm headed out at 12:00 to further this trail. Come one-Come all.
Adios
BH
Hello, my family is moving to Lawton in a couple weeks. Me,my nine year old son, and 12 year old daughter love to ride. Where we live now there are not very many mtb enthusiasts or trails. We are very excited to see there are trails in and around Lawton. Count us in for help when we get there.
Welcome to Oklahoma and we need more good folks like you and your family. Ok folks, The weather will be PURRFECT for trail building in the coming weeks. We (mtb bike riders) received permission to GET WITH IT by the city of Lawton and the to establish a mtb. trail between Mt. Scott and Lake Lawtonka. I can not, I repeat, can not adequately describe the potential this Real Estate has. I've "hucked out" an additiional 3-4 miles of new trail to add to the awesome existing trail that runs adjacent to the fence. The new trail follows the bank of Lake Lawtonka .It's a classic cross country trail with tuff stuff and flow. Establishing a continuous loop is crucial, it is vital that others get involved. We also have the support from Friends of the Trails alliance for signage etc. We have momentum and need to see this through to completion so this is what we need:
1. Enthused "or not enthused" volunteers to meet Saturday Mornings approx. 10:00 to assist the building of and the routing of this new trail. The terrain dictates repeated riding of the trail for it to get established. A handful will not get the job done.
Btw: take time to choose a username , unlike I did. It's easier to change your social security number than to change your username on mtbr.com. But it's better than skinny - but - fast.
Take Med. Park Exit (hwy 49), go West approx. 6-7 miles to Cattle guard entrance of Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge, take first right (north) down dirt road to TH.
We are gonna try and make it. We just got here a couple days ago. My kids are getting restless. All the bikes are in storage and after a couple bad load shifts, they all need work. Do you have a blog or FB page? We would like to keep up to date on what's going on.
Sounds great. I'll be there with my "needing repair" bike as well. I've waited for a week for a tool to seperate my cassette from my hub. I guess I have a "boutique" bike needing special tools. Anyway I'll give it a go, as my cassette spins freely from my hub at the worse times. Ok I'll drop the violin.
I'll be at TH approx. 10;00 and would be psyched to lead you over the new stuff and perhaps get something going on improving it. btw: my business webpage is Elgin Oklahoma New Homes (<elgin cool stuff> on right side has a bit of info and will have more in future). For the time being this will serve as the purpose of info dispersal. Unless someone else has a better idea.
Yes, sir. I plan to be there regardless of the nasty weather. Perhaps I-we can ride what has been established so that everyone will know the course and continue to improve it.
See y'all there
Sorry Fly2hi, I just looked at this.
My Son in law and I rode the trail today.
We started about 1100 hrs. It was damp.
But beautiful today, just as predicted.
We saw nobody else out.
See you next time.
JV
No worries...If you guys are going to work on the trails this weekend post up and I'll be glad to help. It will be nice having a place to ride closer to home.
Oh, your 1st time out to Medicine Park
I recommend you go with someone that knows the trail.
The trail head is not too hard to find, but it would be best
to meet one of the regulars.
Fly2hi, I guess I need to post more
as I am not qualified to PM anyone
until I have 20 posts. Anyway I'll be
heading out in about an hour. I am
also not qual to give the nickel tour,
but the free one I can do.
I live in Duncan so it will be more like an hour and half by the time I pack up and get there. If that works I'm definitely in. To get to the trail head I cross the cattle guard and take a right on the dirt road? How far down the dirt road?
Thanks for the tour guys and it was great meeting everyone. I'm going to head out in the morning and do some trimming and some more exploring on the new sections. This place has the potential to be one of the best in the state.:thumbsup:
Excellent. We need your assistance, and more riders like JimmyV riding and establishing a great trail system . Ironically I'm headed to Duncan to spectate my sons triathlon. He's going off approx. 11 am after that I'm headed back to the trail. I agree with your assessment , with a little more work we can connect the existing to the new. As you can attest, the possibilities are sky high as the trail heads north toward Medicine Creek. Anyway, it was great meeting you and bring it . It is surreal to thing something with that much potential is so close. OK I will quit gushing.
I have told more than a few to meet at 2 tomorrow, so I plan to be near the entry at that time, however whoever can come and get busy whenever......
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