Club News: Southeast US

IMBA Trail News
Volume 16, Number 3
Summer 2003

In South Carolina, a $110,000 Recreational Trails Program grant will help rebuild 10 miles of the Long Cane Horse Trail in Sumter National Forest. The entire trail allows bikes. Nearby, the Wine Creek Trail closed recently because of flooding, prompting the USFS District Planner to re-route three trail sections.

In Georgia, NEPA studies on the FATS Trail are almost finished. When complete, the area will boast 32 miles of trails just 15 minutes from Augusta.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work on a 16-mile trail from West Dam to Wildwood Park. The first eight miles will be completed in September, and the entire trail will be completed next January.

Riders will flock to Alafia River State Park near Brandon, Florida, November 14-16 for the Alafia Fat Tire Festival. This three-day festival includes rides for all abilities. For more information call 813-689-5109 or go to www.swampclub.org.

In March, the USFS released revised plan drafts for five forests in the southeastern U.S. The plans are friendly to mountain bicycling except in Chattahoochee National Forest, where trails would be closed to bicycling unless designated open. USFS personnel indicated the intent is not to reduce biking but to improve management control. On a positive note, the Chattahoochee plan recommends non-Wilderness, primitive backcountry management for the "Pink Knob" roadless area, which includes the fabulous Mountaintown Creek Trail.