HMBA will be hosting some core trail building events. These events will be focused supporting the RTP grants at O'Bannon and Southwestway, as well as continued trail development in Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest. We have also listed the Hassmerfest and HMBA Epic events. These are great events and the proceeds help us advocate for and build more trails.
What to expect:
- You will be working with some of HMBA-IMBA's best trail builders. So while helping build more trails, you will have the chance to learn from the best builders in Midwest.
- HMBA-IMBA will provide tools. Come dressed for working in the woods. We suggest that you carry drinking water, snacks, and have insect repellent.
- Join us for camping and rides. We will have free camping at BCSP and O'Bannon Woods State Park. While camping typically is not allowed at SWW, we would like to host a camp out for one of the SWW weekends.
- We need non diggers to volunteer for the weekends. We need volunteer sign in coordinators, ride leaders, camp hosts, photographers, and snack and refreshment providers.
Please try to attend at least one trail building weekend. Its a fun way to help HMBA-IMBA build more trails, while meeting other riders, seeing new trails, and having a fun weekend of camping.
O'Bannon Woods: O'Bannon Woods is unlike any other park in Indiana. With 450' of elevation overlooking the Ohio River and Blue Creek and rocky out croppings you would expect to find in the Appalachian Mountains, O'Bannon Woods provides for a rugged trail experience that rewards you with fantastic views.
In 2008, HMBA-IMBA used funds from a State Trail Grant to hire Spectrum Trail Design to build the Fire Tower and Rocky Ridge trails. Volunteers and Park Staff built the Group Camp Trail over the course of several years.
HMBA-IMBA is now in construction mode for a $150,000 RTP grant to build 2 more trails at O'Bannon Woods. The Breeden Ridge Trail will combine with the Fire Tower Trail and the Group Camp Trail to make a 12 mile loop. The Breeden Ridge Trail will be a combination of new school flow and old school ruggedness that will use 300' of elevation. The Tulip trail will provide a shorter loop off the camp grounds allowing a quick return for those wanting to do more down hill runs on Breeden Ridge.
Brown County State Park and Yellowwood State Forest: The main goal for 2015 will be connecting Brown County State Park to Hoosier National Forest through Yellowwood State Forest. We can continue to work on Bobcat Bowl as well as work on Trails in Yellowwood.
Southwestway: We still need to wrap up the RTP grant at SWW. We need to build a down hill trail and a lower trail between the levy and the double switch back. Once we wrap up the RTP trails we can focus our attention on the Hidden Lake area.