STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTOS BY DEREK SVENNUNGSEN
They’ll be riding soon enough.
But during the past couple weeks members of the Wood River High School Mountain Bike Team and Wood River Bicycle Coalition have gotten off their bikes to rebuild portions of the Croy Trail west of Hailey.
The trail, which runs parallel to Croy Road, had pretty much disappeared, said Cameron Lloyd, of Club Ride Apparel.
The trail is used by bicyclists and pedestrians who want to avoid riding in traffic out to the BLM Croy Trail system near Rotarun Ski Area and beyond.
It was created in 2010 through a collaboration between Blaine County, the Wood River Bicycle Coalition and the Blaine County Recreation District. Specialized Bicycle Company provided the grant to fund it.
Lloyd and Joel Zellers both coach the high school team, which is all-inclusive, meaning no one is cut from the team. And both are also members of the bike coalition. So, they’re always looking for opportunities to bring the two organizations together for trail maintenance projects.
Members of the Wood River Mountain Bike team, which has been comprised of as many as 38 students and 24 coaches in the past, are required to contribute eight hours of community service each season.
“Our goal is to have this trail fully functional, which will take mountain bikers off Croy Road, be much safer and leave more room for cars,” said Zellers, who has lead his team to the Idaho State Championship in its short existence, qualifying Anja Jensen as Varsity Girls Idaho State Champion.
The bike team had upwards of 40 team members, team members’ parents and other volunteers turn out last year and the year before for work projects on the BLM Croy trails.
“It’s neat to see a big line of volunteers stretching off into the distance,” said Lloyd. It’s a great community builder.”
Anyone looking to help with future trail projects need look no further than Chris Leman, Wood River Valley trail coordinator for the BCRD.
He’s lined up 10 evening volunteer trail work projects through the summer.
The first Adopt-A-Trail Night was Tuesday on Harper’s Trail out Adam’s Gulch—or Lake Creek, depending on which way you’re looking at it.
Harper’s had become braided and ditch-like right before the trail climbs into the aspens. Volunteer installed drains along that section of the trail and repaired the trail tread.
They were reimbursed for their efforts with cold beverages and barbecued hot dogs.
Here are others:
Thursday, May 24, 5:30 p.m. Parker Gulch in Elkhorn. The evening will involve clearing sagebrush, which is choking the trail.
Tuesday, June 12, 5:30 p.m. Fox Creek Trail. Meet at the BLM Lake Creek Trailhead to remove encroaching vegetation on the south end of the trail where it descends into Lake Creek meadows. Will also deberm the trail where sections have become deeply v-shaped.
Thursday, June 28, 5:30 p.m. Greenhorn and Mahoney trails in Greenhorn Gulch. Will brush vegetation back.
Tuesday, July 10, 5:30 p.m. Pork Chop Hill in Adams Gulch. Meet at Adams Gulch Trailhead to brush back vegetation and install rolling grade-dip drains to improve drainage.
Other projects on July 26, Aug. 14 and 23 and Sept. 11 and 27 will be determined later.
To keep posted go to http://summertrailink.bcrd.org/volunteer.php. For more information, email cleman.bcrd.org or call 208-720-7713.
BE KIND TO THE TRAILS
While the BLM trails in Croy Canyon have been riding and hiking well for weeks, others remain wet. Recreationalists can help prevent the need for additional trail work by not riding or walking on them until they dry out.
Check on the latest conditions at http://summertrailink.bcrd.org/index.php.