Would you have guessed that nearly 100 miles of trails already exist in the 17-square mile BLM Disposal Area? Most of these trails were created with little forethought. One goal of this project is to develop an official trail network – one that is more sustainable and coherent while still providing the experience that OHV, equestrian users, and hikers desire. On March 11-13, the project team traversed the existing network to understand travel patterns, issues, and opportunities. As reported by Drew Stoll, EDAW’s OHV expert:
- Most soil types are good for OHV use and have little soil erosion.
- Areas with steep grades and soft sand should be avoided for trails due to their erosion potential and difficulty to climb.
- Trash from illegal dumping, wind, practice shooting, and objects thrown off Mormon Mesa detract from the recreational experience.
- Areas close to neighborhoods have a higher density of routes. Many new trails start at the end of paved neighborhood roads.
- Major barriers include Interstate 15 and SH 169. SH 169 can be crossed with OHVs, but safe crossing locations are important and should be identified. There is a box culvert under Interstate 15 at Weiser Wash that could be used as a crossing if improvements were made.
- Washes are used extensively as travel routes. There is less natural vegetation found in washes with routes. Washes are attractive to ride in due to the mystery they provide by being enclosed in a very open landscape. Routes can be erased or badly eroded in washes during heavy rain events.
- Many roads/trails were created by utility companies to follow power lines. These utility roads are straight, lead to higher speeds, more woops, erosion, and are less attractive and recreational. The utility roads are typically 12 feet wide.
- Most trails are about 8 feet wide.
- Trail braiding is limited to areas that are flat (in washes) and areas that are used as play areas. OHV riders create new routes to climb out of washes when the route is badly eroded or becomes too steep.
- There are no route signs, maps or information displayed in the project area to direct behavior, nor are there maps available at local agency or OHV businesses about appropriate routes to follow.
- The area northeast of Bowman Reservoir is used as an open play area and provides outstanding land form for this activity. The soils in this area have a lot of clay and support little vegetation.
Soils in this area become extremely sticky and slippery when wet. Users have created jumping ramps with plywood, carpet and other materials.
