Welcome to the Blackrock/Chinese Peak Trail System
QWR believes that how the user respects public lands is
largely dependent on how the agency conveys its commitment to managing the resource.
Trail Map at Entrance
That land-use message starts with how well the entrance
or staging area facilities are maintained and continues with how the trails are
signed. Recreationists also look for
how decommissioned or closed routes are identified and protected.
TMR Prescriptions
Does the agency identify or sign restoration projects or
special management designations such as “No Shooting Safety Zones” or “Wildfire/Wildlife
Areas”?
Shooting Safety Zone
Are the camping areas and bathrooms clean? Are the kiosks and information posters in
good condition?
Info on Preventing Wildfires
Is there evidence of trail maintenance such as installed
water control structures (i.e. rolling dips, lead off trenches, sediment catch
basins, etc.)?
While on a recent trip to Idaho, QWR had the opportunity
to ride/tour the Blackrock/Chinese Peak Trail System managed by the BLM’s
Pocatello Field Office. This recreation area sits on the outskirts of
Pocatello, Idaho.
View of Pocatello from Ridge Trail
QWR believes this unit is a good example of how to manage
motorized and non-motorized recreation in a wildland/urban interface. The BLM starts by welcoming users to the area
via a well-kept staging area that contains important user information such as
seasons of use, types of allowed trail activities, map of the trail system, and
fire prevention recommendations.
Management of Closed Routes
The roads and trails are well signed. Closed routes and illegal shortcuts are
clearly marked and signed.
Well Signed OHV Route
Illegal dumping can be an issue on a public unit, but
this area has addressed that via appropriate signing and installation of
vehicle barriers.
No Dumping Sign and Barricades
The Blackrock Canyon restroom was clean. The kiosk and information posters were in
excellent condition and contained relevant information.
Clean SST and Well Maintained Kiosk
The 50-inch trails for motorcycles, MTBs, and ATVS were
clearly identified. Trails for larger
vehicles were also well signed and maintained.
50 inch Trail
To some extent, management challenges will always exist
regardless of where the unit is.
However, QWR believes that the level of public cooperation and respect
for the land is directly proportional to the agency’s visual and on-the-ground commitment
to managing the resource for current and future generations.
No comments:
Post a Comment