Trail Maps

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

The final trail plan is starting to take shape.

Green = Bike/Hike
Orange = Hike/Horse
Blue = Hike/Bike/Horse
Yellow is hiking only
White= trails not built yet



North End of the Park



Middle of the Park



South End (Not built yet): 



We are getting close to the end of the machine built trails.  Please come out for volunteer days, as we have a lot of work to do to finish the whole trail system.

[mtbikernate]

Question:


The blue trail climbing Mann Hill at the southern end, that on this map is along the powerline ROW and between Big Fire S and the unbuilt technical downhill, is that the trail that currently exists along the ROW?


I have not put that trail on MTBProject yet because on the maps you've sent me, it looks different from what shows up on the satellite imagery.  It looks like what is on the ground now will maybe be closed and the uphill trail shifted west to the treeline to accommodate the technical downhill.


Hopefully this week we'll be able to talk a little bit more about some of the trail that's currently on the ground and how it fits into the plan for the future.  I have been on the conservative side of mapping trails out there because there's a mix of old stuff and new stuff.

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

You are correct the current power line climb will be pulled into the woods to make room for the down hill. 


It is a work in progress, but we are getting close to seeing the final product. 


Paul

[matt_laker]

Paul,

Do you know the approximate distance of the trail currently being put in (out to and around Hidden/Cottonwood Lake)?  A similar question would be, once ALL are completed, what is the total distance of all trails combined?

The latter question may be a bit tougher since I know some trails (Mann Hill climbs, for example) overlap in a few areas.

It's a HUGE addition to what used to be out there with just Lenape and is very much appreciated!  I know I'll continue assisting with trail work/building as often as possible to show my appreciation and I expect many others will as well.  Eagle Creek won't be able to say no much longer when they see the great benefit SWW has gained through HMBA/IMBA involvement!   

[Miller1651]

Is there a place that has a detailed, labeled map with names? I keep hearing names for different sections, but new here so I still don't know which parts are which.


Also, being colorblind doesn't help understand the maps posted here...or the signs out on the trails. Is there a detail anywhere of where I'm specifically not supposed to be?

[Gochenour]

Is there a place that has a detailed, labeled map with names? I keep hearing names for different sections, but new here so I still don't know which parts are which.


Also, being colorblind doesn't help understand the maps posted here...or the signs out on the trails. Is there a detail anywhere of where I'm specifically not supposed to be?

http://www.hmba.org/wp/trail-guide/southwestway-park/

If you hover over a section of trail it will give you the name of that area as well as highlight the trail.

http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/3658360/

The above link is about the same thing except you can click on the name of each individual trail and it will give you a detailed description of the trail including where it starts and ends from the main parking lot.

[Miller1651]

Awesome, thanks.

[nelliedawg82]

Any chance someone could work a little Google Map magic and get an updaterd map for the new trails that have been completed and ready to ride!? I was out there last week and think I might have been off the beaten path, so to speak. I was on a trail right along the river, which I suspect might just be an old fishermans path.   

[mtbikernate]

the Trail Guide contains the "most current" official listing.  AFAIK, the stuff heading south along the river is not officially complete yet.  There is an old fisherman's path along the river, which floods out at times, so a return leg is getting hand built.


Once I hear the official "complete" word on that section, I'm going to be getting out and adding it to the MTB Project listing (and to our Trail Guide).  The reason is that I also obtain pictures along with the GPS tracks and I want the pictures to reflect the finished status.

[nelliedawg82]

Good enough.  Yep, the trail along the river would for sure be in the water during Spring flows!

[Bqwyatt]

On the maps above, what does the color red stand for on the two little trails in the middle of the map.  Looks like one goes down to the river area and the other connects to the trails that are in the process of being built.

[greg_bernath]

The trail map east-of-the-levy is rather wrong. Being that's the no-bikes section, bikers may not know that, but these maps are in the park kiosk getting used by everyone. I know the maps are a work in progress, but they're not just incomplete now, they're flat out wrong in that area.

If you're wondering exactly what I'm referring to, here are my rough corrections to the orange trail mapping.

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

Here is an updated trail map.

[matt_laker]

Thanks Paul!  That should be a helpful map for people that don't get out to SWW very often.

Question: is there anything in the works with Indy Parks to get approval for trails to be built around Cottonwood & Hidden Lakes?  I know private property butts up to some of it, just wondering if hand-built trails around both, one or the other, etc. are a possibility---ready to swing some more rhino!

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

There is a project going on in that area to remove invasives and plant native species.  Once that is complete we plan to design trails in that area and present to Indy Parks.  That area has been discussed in the past and no objections have been raised with respect to trail in that area.