Whiskeytown NRA Trails Management Plan
RTA founding member Ryan Schupert flying down the “Ice Box” during a photoshoot for our first Raffle Calendar back in 2017. Photo by Ryan Thompson
The Redding Trail Alliance (RTA) Board of Directors have reviewed the 134 page Whiskeytown Trails Management Plan Environmental Assessment document and believe that highlighting the following will help you understand how their plan will impact your trail recreation in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS).
Simply put, the proposed action calls for new trails and the removal and/or reroute of underutilized or unsustainable trails. The reason for the proposed action aligns with Redding Trail Alliance’s mission statement, and we fully support the action plan “to improve and expand the existing trail system and offer more diverse trail experience opportunities in the national recreation area”. While we fully support this, we are concerned that the plan is missing some key pieces and that execution of the plan may not be done optimally.
The High Alpine Trail: Originally proposed by former park Superintendent Jim Milestone, this trail was going to be a hiking only trail that would connect the upper section of the Brandy Creek watershed with Coggins Park which is located on the west side of Shasta Bally. If opened to mountain biking, this trail would see much more use and open up a whole area of the park's vast acreage that is not being utilized. The trail would also serve as a vital artery for connecting current and future trail systems together. It could be one key piece in connecting Redding to Lewiston, Lewiston to Weaverville and Junction City, and Junction City to Hayfork. This trail would also offer larger ascents and descents, something that we are currently lacking in our trail system. With the continued improvement and popularity of e-bikes, this type of trail would be used by a broader demographic of riders. During the public meeting held on June 23rd, Superintendent Hoines indicated that the trail was not included in the current plan due to high costs caused by the difficult nature of its construction and the cultural and resource studies that still needed to be done. While that may be true at this time, we hope that they include it in the plan so that in the future it could be completed if they either have the funds, or allow outside help with trail construction.
Protected Bike Lane: We are super excited about the new paved lake trail and the recreation and connectivity options it will open up! Something that we feel would greatly improve its use/access and encourage active transportation to and from the lake, would be to create a protected bike lane that begins at the visitor center and runs along JFK Memorial & South Shore drives. This in combination with the future extension of the Middle Creek paved trail to the visitor center would give cyclists the ability to leave their home or hotel in Redding and ride on a dedicated trail or protected lane all the way to the end of the lake and back.
Professional Consultation for Trail Planning: In the Trails Management Plan, WHIS consulted multiple Tribes and the following agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They did not consult a professional trail builder or trail building company. Historically WHIS has planned and built their existing trails using WHIS staff. The guides that they have listed as their resource for trail construction methods do not include contemporary trail layout, design or construction methods. Trail layout and construction has a lot to do with how enjoyable it is for all trail users, the trail is no longer just a means to get somewhere but it is the experience itself. As WHIS moves forward with their plan, we hope they put a strong emphasis on trail quality and user experience vs. resource conservation and construction efficiency. We would propose that WHIS involve us in trail layout and design where appropriate, and hire a professional consultant to review their current trail plan and give guidance on execution of it.
Trail Construction Methods: The majority of the current trails and proposed new trails fall under trail category III. Per this plan, this type of trail can be built at an average grade of up to 12% and a width of anywhere between 24 to 48 inches. We are concerned by both of these numbers. A trail that averages 12% is difficult to climb on a bike, does not optimally utilize elevation and is difficult to build so that the trail is sustainable. Wider trails create a larger prism of disturbed earth which leads to a trail that feels more like a pathway and is much harder to maintain in the future. In the plan, WHIS indicates that the trails that they would build would most likely be built with a Sweco. While it is the most efficient and easy method, this method leads to a wide trail that may destroy most of the “flavor” that creates the type of trail diversity we would love to see in the park. We would like to see every effort made to create more natural single track than wide pathways.
Single Use Trails: The plan says that the park would like to provide a more diverse visitor experience and formalize trail routes for specific uses such as hiking, equestrian use and bicycle use. The plan includes trails for hiking or equestrian use, but it does not include any trails that are specific for bicycle use. We would like to see a purpose built bike trail included in the plan. As the park grows in popularity, this could only help alleviate user conflict which is a primary concern of the park.
E-bikes: The plan indicates that the park allows both Class 1 and 2 E-bikes on trails (pg13&14). We do not agree with the inclusion of Class 2 E-bikes on non-motorized dirt trails. This is in harmony with most trail stewardship groups and land managers. We feel Class 1 should be allowed on all trails that are open to biking, and that Class 1 and 2 should be allowed on all roads and paved bike paths.
Collaboration: We would love to see more collaboration from the park. Not only with our organization, but with nearby agencies such as the City of Redding, BLM and NFS.
Comments can be made until July 8th at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=345&projectID=71676&documentID=112882