Trail Name: No Secret Trail
Location
While the exact location of the trail is still to be determined, it will be located within the boundary of last year’s SFI Tie
Thin harvest unit, to the north of McCullough Peak.
Project Details
In 2014, the SFI Tie Thin harvest resulted in a thinned out forest, and slash lying on the forest floor. Two unauthorized
trails previously traversed the SFI Tie Thin, and are now inaccessible due to the slash. The location of these trails was
causing damage to water and forest resources. In an effort to prevent the re-construction of unauthorized trails in the
area, OSU Research Forests decided to support the official building of a safer and more sustainable trail offering a similar
type of experience.
Public involvement efforts in 2013-2014 showed that opportunities for mountain bikers were one of the greatest unmet
recreation interests on the OSU Research Forests. Recommendations from the Recreation Collaborative included
developing primary use trails for mountain bikes and other activities. The No Secret Trail is the first primary use
mountain bike trail to be created on the OSU Research Forests and represents a pilot test to determine if this model of
partnership and trail development could work again in the future. For this pilot test to be successful, the resulting trail
will be socially, environmentally and financially sustainable, serve the mountain bike community well, and encourage
appropriate mountain biking etiquette.
The new trail replaces two existing unauthorized trails, utilized primarily by mountain bikers and runners. The existing
unauthorized trails receive little to no equestrian use or hiking. This trail development will not take away access from
any group currently using those trails. As part of this project, existing unauthorized trails will be removed, and the forest
will be rehabilitated in those areas.
The McDonald Forest is limited in its capacity to support large numbers of visitors, both in infrastructure (such as parking) and resources (protection of research and natural/cultural resources). This development is therefore is intended to
enhance the experience of mountain bikers in the Corvallis community, and is not intended to draw large numbers of
new visitors into the McDonald Forest.
Construction Plan
OSU Research Forests are pleased to be partnering with local International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Chapter
Team Dirt in the development of the No Secret Trail. Team Dirt will take the lead in coordinating the design and
construction of the trail, with guidelines, support, and oversight from the OSU Research Forests. An IMBA Trail Care
Crew will start the construction process in May 2015. Individuals interested in being involved in trail construction should
contact Team Dirt directly at [email protected].
This trail will be designed to offer an intermediate level of challenge for mountain bikers by providing a subtle, intimate,
fun, and narrow tread. It will be considered a flow trail, and will utilize a natural features, contours and native surfaces.
The design will be friendly to use by trail runners.
The new trail will be open to mountain bikes and pedestrians. It will be closed to equestrians to provide for safety.
Standard rules of yield will apply on this trail, and pedestrians will be notified by signs that they are entering a primary
use mountain bike trail.
Timing
Construction on this trail will begin in April, and will be completed by fall, 2015.
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