[Photo: Trail boss Don Cook sets a stable base for a slick new barbed wire fence crossing called a "rollover". Welded by local trail guru Doug Bradbury, the rollover allows bikes to cross a fenceline without having to stop riding and without letting cows across. It's a huge improvement on the standard rickety stair-step walkover.]

Everyone contributed during the sweltering 80 degree day. Besides the huge CBMBA trail tool quiver, the U.S. Forest Service and the B.L.M both donated scads of tools and many people brought their own (thanks Nancy!) By the time flyingcracker.com showed up at 10 am all the "official" tools had already been claimed, so we grabbed a Round Mountain Organics pickaxe and headed up to section 3 where big rocks needed leveraging. Two hours later after many steel-on-granite collisions our osteoarthritis-afflicted thumb joint and bum knee were making their conditions felt loud and clear. Given the wide range of volunteer ages (5 - 70 yrs old?) we're sure a lot of other workers had their own pain management issues, however not once did we hear a peep of complaint. After seeing a few people navigate the half-finished trail using canes(!) we just decided to man up and keep our aches to ourself.

Many hours of meeting and planning and design (thanks all you heroes!) made this workday possible. Great job everyone! We'll post a GPS track of the new trail as soon as possible.

[Updated June 7th with revised attendance figures and trail length as reported by CBMBA]

This Saturday June 5th is National Trails Day, a day to celebrate the great outdoors with your family and friends. And what better way to celebrate than helping build an extension of the Lower Loop Trail just outside Crested Butte. You know the Lower Loop trail, you ride or run it a dozen times each summer. Or you walk it with flatland relatives. Or you recommend the trail to visitors, "It's got great wildflowers, spectacular views and is the easiest trail to access from Town." Virtually everyone in the area uses the Lower Loop trail in one manner or another.

Please join the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA) in conjunction with the Crested Butte Land Trust (CBLT) this Saturday at 9 am. at Peanut Mine. We will work on the new Budd Trail, a 2.5 mile extension of the Lower Loop singletrack. Ride your bike or walk to Peanut Lake, there is not enough room for 200 cars to park out there. Organizers have arranged a shuttle vehicle prowling back and forth from Town to Peanut Mine. Our plan is to park at Mrs. FlyingCracker's office building and ride to the mine. If you get up late don't worry, just grab a quick bite to eat and get out to the trail!

This is a kid-friendly family event. It's great way to show your children how we can work together to improve our environment for all. No experience is necessary and tools will be provided. Wear sturdy work shoes and bring gloves, water and sunscreen. For more information  look here or call CBMBA at 349-6817.

From the CBLT site:

"The Budd Trail was donated by Russell and Dorothy Budd and Charlie McBride in 2009, and connects the Lower Loop Trail System.  It begins at Peanut Mine, and will thrill cyclists, runners and hikers with a steep climb up the ridge to the west of the Lower Loop.  Winding its way through aspen and spruce forests, the new single track trail will offer spectacular views of the Slate River Valley below."

See you there!

As usual the Cement Creek drainage is ahead of most areas for singletrack. We've ridden quite far up Walrod Gulch, crossing just a few lingering avalanche paths. The other evening we rode a  perfectly dry Walrod Cutoff to the 409 intersection. Our journey was relaxing until we called home and Mrs. FlyingCracker reminded us of the mountain lion presence in the area. That got us moving again, in a hurry!

Trail Karma Tip #1 - Improve the trails you ride

Early season riding is the perfect time to bring along your folding saw and Felco pruners, clean up the winter damage, and build up your dwindling Trail Karma reserves. And right on cue the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association hosts the first trail day of the year on the Trail 409 / Cave Trail. Meet this Wednesday at 4 pm at the Cave Trail parking lot on Cement Creek road. Take off work an hour early and come help fix one of the most popular trails in the lower upper valley. There are plenty of sections which need just a bit of loving care. It's not difficult work and CBMBA has many experienced trailbuilders eager to spread their knowledge. We encourage hikers and riders of all types to help improve the National Forest trail nearest to CB South.

Again, meet THIS WEDNESDAY at 4 PM at the Cave Trail parking lot. CBMBA promises a party will follow the work session.

And if you happen to find our GPS, please let us know and collect your reward. Thanks!