IHSMBR - Secech Singletrack Option - unrideable - 7/22/14

[CMajernik]

Aaron at Gravity Sports in McCall called about the riding conditions on the Secesh Option. Basically it is unrideable in a couple of sections due to an excessive amount of downed trees and/or rutted trails:

1) From Twentymile Trailhead to Foolhen Meadows Trailhead - he was out here himself and said it wasn't suited to loaded riding of any kind right now due to the number of trees down. He only got about 5 miles in before he had to turn back.

2) From A to F on the map, in addition to downed trees, the trail is quite rutted - this was reported by cyclists coming into the shop. They had spent hours climbing over the downed trees and were frustrated by the amount they encountered.

Aaron talked to the local forest rangers and they stated it would be at least mid-September before they would have a chance to get in there and clear any of it. Apparently this is common due to the nature of the area.

[cgreene]

Update 07/28/14 - I spoke with folks in McCall, and the Twentymile Trail has been fully cleared in the past few day by moto riders and volunteers. Trail crews are working on Bear Pete right now.

This does not mean there will not be more trees that fall in the future. Even during this riding season.

As stated on the maps, I cannot emphasize enough that all of the Singletrack Options are true backcountry epics. They are extremely difficult, and riders need to plan for encountering obstacles such as downed trees, rutted out trails, long hike-a-bikes, and moving water crossings. If those situations are in any way unappealing, I recommend not attempting any of the Singletrack Options.

The reality is, none of the Singletrack Options will ever be 100% rideable.

[Bike Hermit]

We rode the Bear Pete trail/Burgdorf Hot Springs loop portion of the Secesh Option August 2 and it was clear of trees, thanks largely to moto riders, some of whom have chainsaw racks on the front of their bikes! I gotta get me one of those. The northern part of the trail has some really deep ruts from the motorbikes though.