Notice about Controlled Burns...

Leslie writes:

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to send everyone an email to let you all know that the Forest Service has started our dormant controlled burning season. I wanted to make the mountain bicycle trail volunteers especially aware of an up coming controlled burn that will be in and around the Lake Howard Bike Trail. This burn will happen sometime between now and Christmas. We will temporarily close the portions of the trail located on National Forest lands the day of the burn. The trail should only be closed for a day or two. As prescribed burning is affected by weather, it is difficult to give an exact date of the prescribed burn. However, I will do my best to let you know a day or two before burn.
Please pass on this information
Thank you!

Lesley M. Hodge
Natural Resource Specialist
USDA- Talladega National Forest- Shoal Creek RD
45 Highway 281
Heflin, AL 36264
256/463-2273
256/463-5385 fax
Email: lhodge@fs.fed.us

Naming the trail...

At the most recent meeting with the Forest Service, COGS, and the city of Sylacauga, names were given to features of the trail. The first loop as you come up from the Lake Howard Trailhead has been named "Ridge Loop". The first loop on the National Forest side will be called "Lakeview Loop", the small loop above it will be "COGS loop", and finally the last loop in the long-leaf pines will be "Bill's Creek Loop". Each loop will have a color code and mileage marks. The name of the entire trail system will be decided by children in the local school system. Children will submit their trail name suggestions from which the best name will be chosen by a committee. A grand opening will be delayed until trail signs are in place. A suggestion was made that trail markers incorporate the COGS logo we used for the bike century. (see photo)

By Chris H.

Trail evolution...

reposted from f88me.com

The above pictures reposted from f88me.com show a machine built trail after 2 years of weather and regrowth. This illustrates how our trail will evolve over time. (Both photos are from approximately the same location and angle. Note the stump and small tree to the right of the photo)

Paul, Cheryl, and I rode the upper portion of the trail this morning. He mapped it with his GPS but we also mapped Trammel Road where we came out. You can see Wednesday's map as the white. Today's ride is mapped in blue.

Lake Howard Trail - Upload a Document to Scribd

Status of Lake Howard Trail

The Trails Unlimited crew completed the trail tread yesterday afternoon.
We now have a complete trail that the COGS volunteers will be grooming-
removing roots, rocking crossings, and riding in.  The next step is to meet
with the FS and develop a sign plan, plan for a grand opening, and
coordinate for the Pinhoti 100K Trail run.

Many thanks to TU, COGS, the City, and FS personnel who have all
contributed to meeting this goal.

Joe Nicholson
Recreation Program Manager, NFsAL
2946 Chestnut St., Montgomery, AL 36107
334-241-8128 FAX 334-241-8101
jnicholson@fs.fed.us