Legacy of Managed OHV Recreation in Sierra Nevada Continues

QWR's Don Amador (L) and FS's Matt Brownlee (R) on OHV Bridge Constructed

to Protect Water Quality

The Foresthill OHV Area on the American River Ranger District has a long history of running a well-managed and highly popular trail program.  Located on the Tahoe National Forest near Auburn, California, the Forest Service has partnered with many stakeholders in a successful effort to provide

diverse OHV opportunities while protecting the resource.

Weather Station to Monitor Rainfall/Soil Moisture on Trail

While on a recent program review with Forest trail specialists, QWR noted that current staff were hard at work preserving that unit’s legacy by employing the most recent trail management tools and concepts to address water/soil loss, restore off-trail impacts, and armor stream crossings.

Restoration Project of Old Hill Climb

Joe Chavez, the Tahoe National Forest’s Trail Lead, states, “There are a lot of factors that land managers must consider when planning their trail maintenance schedules and work details.  Soil moisture, amount of use, trail design including difficulty, and geography are all factors that determine how a trail is managed.”

OHV Traffic Control Measures

Matt Brownlee, the new OHV Program Manager for the American River Ranger District, said, “I am excited about using my trail building and maintenance skills to help carry on the fine tradition started by my predecessor, Mark Lambert.  I believe there are many opportunities on this unit to enhance OHV 

recreational experiences.”

High Quality Single-Track Motorcycle Trail on Unit

QWR believes the OHV program on the Forest is in good hands and commends the agency for its commitment to work with partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders to offer the public a system of sustainable trail opportunities for current and future generations of OHV users.

Wet Weather Soil Study - A New Trail Management Tool?

*QWR’s, Don Amador, recently helped the FS’s wet weather management study lead, Roger Poff, with field research on the Mendocino National Forest.  QWR thanks Mr. Poff, a leading soil scientist, for sharing his overview of this important project with our readers.

Roger Poff Explains Soil Study to FS Resource and Recreation Specialists

Forest Service Wet Weather Management Studies – R. Poff

OHV traffic on trails under wet conditions can damage treads and drainage structures. Determining when to open or close OHV trails has been a challenge for trail managers. Some have used seasonal closures; others have used rainfall. Both of these approaches have limitations.

 Poff Takes Soil Moisture Reading at Sample Site 

The USFS is conducting field studies to develop an evidence-based method for opening trails based on direct measurements of trail condition. Four pilot studies are underway, in the Pozo area on the Los Padres NF, the Stonyford and Upper Lake areas of the Mendocino NF, and the Sugar Pine area on the Tahoe NF.

Don Amador Pre-Sample Test Ride at Data Collection Site 

The field studies involve measuring soil strength and soil moisture, and correlating these measurements with observed levels of trail damage. This information is used to predict the risk of trail damage at different levels of soil strength and soil moisture. This prediction of risk can then be used to develop threshold values to determine when to open or close trails.

Test Site Recon with Roger Poff

This method will not be a “magic bullet” to solve all the issues related to opening and closing trails under wet conditions. However, it will be an important tool in the trail manager’s toolbox for managing trails under wet conditions.

The field studies will be completed by October 2014.

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