Overview, Synopsis, Who is WORBA, Why Blue Mound, Building Trail, Trail design, Proposed trails , Proposed map, Crews, Volunteering, Work log
Overview, Synopsis, Who is WORBA, Why Blue Mound, Building Trail, Trail design, Proposed trails , Proposed map, Crews, Volunteering, Work log
The parking lot at the swimming pool area is a ready-made trailhead for cycling. The shower building may get a little extra use as a changing area for cyclists, and the restrooms are there as well. Two of the current ski & bike trails intersect at this location as well. Adding singletrack from this trailhead would provide variety to the trail options.
Starting near the current ski trailhead (but not on it to provide a separation for snowshoers from skiers) and traveling parallel to the wider trail that leads to Pleasure Valley Trail, various outcroppings of granite and dolomite create visual separation from the wider trail, and maneuvering over and through several of the outcroppings would create a more challenging trail and add variety. As the wider trail heads for its intersection with Mounds Park Road, this singletrack trail could veer south and explore the area between the pool and the park's entrance road. Since vehicular traffic is already stopping at the intersection of the park's entrance road and Mounds Park Road, this would make a safe crossing place for cyclists to the southern section of the park.
The lower southern slope of the park already contains a hiking trail (Ridgeview Trail) and below that is bounded by Military Ridge State Trail. Not wanting to crowd the current users of these trails, the single track could run along the contour uphill of these trails, but lower then the powerline right-of-way.
The single track could start at the intersection of Mounds Park Road, swing east and begin a broad 180 degree curve that brings it facing west and travelling through the small pine grove (uncommon for the park), and follow the same contour, dipping occasionally as it weaves through the hardwoods. It is likely that as the trails come together at the Military Ridge Access path, they will be visible to each other more often. At one of the current Ridgeview bridges, the two trails can cross and the single track can swing out of the woods south of the potential bike-in campground clearing clearing. The SW Loop/Boundary trail should line up with this trail.
The west and north boundaries of the park have traditionally been used by the hunting recreationalists as there are no trails that access this area at all. Adding a single track trail to the boundary area not only would expand the user base, but would allow the hunters easier access to this area during hunting season (when other use could be prohibited). Deer and other game become accustomed to bicycle traffic and tend to use the trails themselves when humans are not in evidence - 2 deer were taken on the cycling path itself at Area 25.5 in 1998. A trail near the boundary would also assist park personnel on inspection and posting tours.
With a SW Loop around the potential bike-in camping or overflow camping clearing, an slower, safer, and more fun alternative to speeding down the paved access path is provided. A bike-tire print or other stencil painted on the pavement can lead recreationalists to the beginning of the Boundary trail north of the campground - there isn't room to swing the trail between the park boundary and the furthest site without a potential user conflict. The single track could run along the contours to the nearest internal corner of the boundary line, almost due west. As it crosses the access path to the West Observation tower, brush must be cleared further, and creative corridor design can slow cyclists, in order to create a safe intersection. Using contour turns and switchbacks where necessary, the trail would head north, running practically on the boundary line. Several interesting rock features dot the ground in this area, and can be incorporated into the trail.
The trail has slowly gained a couple hundred feet of elevation by this point, topping out below the 1600 ft contour, and the single track could now start descending through wide zigging turns on the gradual western slope. Following a contour line, the trail could weave along ravine sides, while stairs travel up and down the ravines for hiker access.
As
the single track wends around the northern boundary, it moves into the often
unseen ravines and bolder strewn terrain on the northern escarpments. Some
ravines may be 80 feet deep, and will require the trail to turn south until
it can find a good crossing point, then turn north until it reaches the boundary
again.
Several sites have potential rest areas, such as an overlook of the steep ravine or the neighboring property's sundrenched prairie hillside. Several educational opportunities arise as the trail passes through the northern section of the property. Several sinkholes dot the property, and a sign can be placed as the trail passes nearby. Several signs can be placed along the "path of the tornado" - describing what happened to Barneveld and outlining the regrowth of the forest. As the trail moves east, the rock formations become more frequent, and geological explanation may interest trail users. Cyclists are as interested as the next trail user, but sign placement should be at natural resting points on the trail - no one is going to stop halfway down (or up) a swooping descent.
As the trail gets close to the 20-acre private land encroachment, the terrain becomes especially rocky. A future trail for more advanced riders may pick its way through this section, but for now our trail could slowly gain in elevation to traverse in the narrow neck between the boundary and the John Minix Trail. A loop north towards Mounds Park Road and back could bring recreationalists around to face south as they journey to the connection with Standing Stones trail near the swimming pool.
On the east side of Pleasure Valley Trail, which is a very open, through-the-meadow trail, there is a wooded hiking trail that travels through ravine valleys, past an access road that leads to Ryan Road, and back to Pleasure Valley Trail. By starting a single track section at the southern end of this hiking trail and staying uphill (east) of it, the sideslope could support a contour trail that visits various ravines as it wends north, crosses the access road, drops low and crosses the hiking trail, and continues south wending through various ravines on the western side of the hiking trail until it rises back to its beginning point.
 |
 |
 |
| |