Beginner Trail

[Guy]

We'll be ready soon to add another section to the new beginner trail at Muscatatuck.
In case you don't know, a half mile of fine, flowing trail was completed last June around the campground area. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped, HMBA-SEC, and especially Mark Rodgers for donating the machine work.

The next part will travel up and down some ravines and across easy to build gradual side slopes, while maintaining a 5% or less grade. It should be at least another 3/4 mile to the next connection point with the old trail. So that will make a nice starter mile  run for kids and grandma's to cut their teeth on. ......Since Muscatuck County Park is right in North Vernon, it's a prime place to get people acquainted with mountain biking.

This new trail will eventually run all the way to the trailhead parking lot.

One of these days it's going to start raining again and we can work the ground. So please watch for posted Trail Build Days and be a part of keeping one of Indiana's original trail systems alive and vibrant!

BTW, Nick and I cut out the downed tree on the trail today... Happy Biking.

[John Bruce]

I will keep my eyes open.  Thanks for cutting that tree!!

[Guy]

Too dry of ground conditions are delaying the project. I can't even get a pin flag into the dirt. And it's impossible to shape and form dust anyway.

[Guy]

I plan on working on the new Mossy Boot trails section on Saturday, Dec 11, starting @ 9 AM..... Please join me for many hours of fun and excitement.

My green and silver truck will be parked in the campground, on the left. Grab a tool out of the bed and head over the hill to the left if you need to come out later.

There is a chance of rain, so if it's pouring we'll cancel.

Questions, updates; 317-501-5109.

[Guy]

Nick and I got about a third of the remaining trail built Saturday. With a little help and good weather we could knock out the rest in pretty short order.

 

[Guy]

We'll be working on the beginner trail this Sunday, Jan 16. Please meet in the campground area @ 9 AM in interested in helping.

[Guy]

The main gate entrance off Hwy 7 is closed. There is another entrance that can be reached by going west on Hwy 50, from of the junction of Highway's 3/7/50. Turn left at Gum St. and go about 1/4 mile to Muscatatuck Park sign on left.

[Guy]

Nick and I got another 140 ft of trail done on the Mossy Boot beginner trail section today. Some of the trail didn't have enough leaf cover to keep it from freezing, but we found that you could chip off big chunks of 3 inch thick dirt patties and get to the soft stuff underneath.  
Another three or four work days and we should be done with this trail. I'll try to give more notice before the next trail day.

Nick Barber, local trail steward, with his new trail dog, Macy....... They aren't afraid of no frozen, snow covered ground!

[Guy]

We got beginner trail completed today.....Yeah!!!
Andrew, Tyson, Nick and Guy did the dirty work. The trail looks great and is about 3/4 mile long........ Most of it is still really soft and muddy though. So please stay off it for awhile.

The new trail can be combined with the old trails to make smaller loops and other interesting options.

[NVmtbRIDER]

Hey guys, that is good news.  Sorry that I had to bail so early.  I hope to be out with you cuttin some trail again real soon.

[Guy]

Hey guys, that is good news.  Sorry that I had to bail so early.  I hope to be out with you cuttin some trail again real soon.

No problem Andrew. Good seeing you again....Luckily the dirt we were removing at the end of a long day was the fluffiest stuff I've ever dug.... My back is a little sore from Nick cracking the whip on it all day.

I forgot to mention that while we were making the new trail, we also took the opportunity to reroute a fall line section of the old trail at their connection.... So instead of a killer climb at the top of a big hill, you get a gradual winding climb and a long run overlooking a huge ravine with a river view kicker.

I'd also like to thank Bicycle Station in Columbus for their support on this project. Great folks who know their stuff and actually ride!

[Jesse Ritchie]

cant wait to ride it!

[Guy]

I rode the new Mossy Boot trail Thursday evening and it is really firming up nicely. It felt almost as solid as the older trails with just the usual spring seeps in the ravine crossings....(If somebody has the time, I would suggest stabilizing the drainage below some of the more fragile crossings with some erosion proof material, like rocks, logs, old washing machines.)

Congratulation to everybody involved with the new trail construction. It looks and rides like a winner!!!

[Guy]

Construction has started on the new Mossy Boot, beginner trail extension. It should double it's length and end up near the maintenance building.
Please stay off it for awhile until the soft spots get addressed.

[Guy]

I saw a first on a mtn bike trail the other day @ MCP...a golf cart!!...Maybe we need to step up the difficulty level somewhat. (They were coming from the house at the Northeast corner going towards the fields.

Big News; There are new trails completed at Muscatatuck County Park.
The Beginner Trail extension is done all the way to the Maintenance Building. ( Just needs a bridge yet). It's the one on the map I posted that ends by the Dino Start/ Shelter # 2.

There are two new Connector trails completed along the River also..... See the map.

I think all the new trails turned out great and make a compact trail system seem much larger already. More cool trails are being built as we speak.