#seeblm

MOUNTAIN BIKING THE SANDY RIDGE TRAIL: AN AWESOME WAY TO SPEND A DAY IN THE WOODS

More than 125,000 riders per year frequent Oregon’s Sandy Ridge Trail System, an area that provides trail opportunities specifically designed for mountain bikers in the foothills of the Cascade Range. This model trail system provides an experience for every rider, with 17 miles of trails ranging from machine built beginner level trails with ample opportunities to play on mountain bike features such as rollers and table tops to double black diamond expert level opportunities characterized by narrow technical terrain, dynamic mountain bike moves and high levels of exposure. 

"This entire area is a tremendous public resource," said John Huston, field manager for the BLM's Cascade Resource Area referring to the acres of critical fish and wildlife habitat along the Sandy and Little Sandy rivers. "But if you are just talking about mountain biking, there are few places in the country that can compare to the Sandy Ridge Trail System."

This year, the trail system is expected to add up to two miles of new trails, and have its parking doubled for all the riders who visit the world-class mountain bike trails. Read more about the new developments HERE.

Improving How We Manage Your Public Lands

Yesterday, the BLM announced proposed revisions to its land-use planning process. The revisions support a new approach that will make future land-use planning more collaborative, transparent, and effective. 

Watch a video of Secretary Jewell announcing the proposed changes here.

Land-use planning is foundational to the work that the BLM does around the country, which is why it is important to engage the public early and often in the process. 

The proposed changes will increase opportunities for early engagement by the general public, as well as State and Tribal governments.  They also allow the BLM to adopt a broader landscape-scale approach to managing public lands and incorporate modern technology into the planning process.

BLM Wyoming’s Beck Lake Mountain Biking Area is a Perfect Spot to #SeeBLM!

People are really excited about the 3.5 miles of new, purpose-built mountain biking trails. Tons of smiles riding up the climbing trail and shouts of joy on the downhill going over jumps and riding the banked turns. The trail is designed for all riders, beginner to advanced, so everyone can try out their skills, have fun, and enjoy sweet single track mountain biking in Cody, Wyoming. 

Trails are on BLM-managed public land and City of Cody property. Park County Pedalers, the local mountain biking club, has been integral at setting up a contract with Trail Source to design the trails, applying for grants, and working with BLM and the City to establish this riding area. Great trails equal great riding and fun for all.

Park County Pedalers President, John Gallagher said, "The trails that Trail Source has already built are brilliant and seeing some serious traffic. I did two loops and saw 19 riders. I can usually go all year out there and not see 19 riders. Recent rain was perfect in terms of quantity, rate and timing. The trails are now hard packed and riding like they have been there all year."

#SeeBLM along BLM Wyoming’s North Platte River, the Destination Fishery for the State! The Trappers Route is managed as a special recreation management area, located along the North Platte River in central Wyoming. The North Platte River is the only floatable waterway in central Wyoming and has become the destination fishery for the state. Scenic and recreational values of the North Platte River are derived from a combination of environmental factors and management practices. The river is highly valued as a class 1 fishery. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has rated it as a blue ribbon fishery. Game fish species include rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. The most common recreation activities are fishing, floating, waterfowl hunting, and wildlife observation. There are also opportunities for picnicking and camping. 

World’s Best Mountain Bike Trails To kick the weekend off, BLM unveiled new, interactive mountain bike maps! Developed by the BLM, in partnership with the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and the MTB Project, the mobile-friendly online tool features interactive maps for 20 of the nation’s most popular trails on public lands. The maps can be accessed at www.blm.gov/mountainbike. “The BLM is proud to manage some of the world’s best mountain bike trails,” said Director Kornze. “This new, mobile-friendly tool will help the public get a glimpse of these amazing places and plan their rides.” More than one million visitors used mountain bike trails located on BLM public lands last year. Now, for the first time, the mountain biking community will be able to pull information about specific BLM mountain biking areas through a centralized online tool while they’re on the go. “BLM’s willingness to connect with our product and share it with their communities shows the quality of our work and provides a model of what our organizations can accomplish together,“ said Leslie Kehmeier, Mapping Manager at IMBA. This weekend our partner, IMBA, had a wonderful takeover of the My Public Lands Instagram with these gorgeous photos of mountain biking on your public lands. Thanks for following!