Regional Op-Ed | Kathryn Gray: Troubled Trails on Donner Summit

Regional Op-Ed | Kathryn Gray: Troubled Trails on Donner Summit

Published on Mar 13, 2008 - 10:18:10 AM

Donner Summit sees its fair share of visitors through the snow season, and then again in summer when folks come up to hike, and play about in the local lakes. It's always nice when September rolls around, and the quiet of autumn settles down on the mountains.

This year, though, September threatens to bring something new, noisy, and potentially very destructive to the Summit. Royal Gorge LLC plans on hosting a 3 day event, September 5 to September 7, The Tahoe Sierra 100 Mountain Bike Endurance Race, which the promoter they're working with, GlobalBiorythm Events, bills as an, "inaugural event."

Here's a bit of description straight out of their flyer: " With unforgettable scenes of grandeur and color as well as unforgettable views of Royal Gorge, Needle and Lyon Peaks and the beauty of the Tahoe Sierras. This historic ultra endurance mountain bike race will travel along the trails and roads as did the the gold miners, sheepherders and pack strings did in 1855....Riders will pass through areas that no bike has ever gone before."

This race, which will have as many as 700 entrants in various classes, will impact both single track, and Forest Service Roads. The Forest Service office in Foresthill has already issued a permit for the use of Foresthill Road, down along the North Fork American River. A spokesman indicated that this race has been planned for a long time, and applications were made last year. Apparently no public input was solicited or received, and Royal Gorge LLC has been mighty quiet about it.

A map of the proposed race had been available on the promoter's web site, but it has been pulled down. The race will start up near Summit Station, Royal Gorge LLC's Cross Country Ski headquarters, and will go down Soda Springs/Baker Ranch Road past private holdings, including Cedars, a private residential enclave that is the California cousin of the private Adirondack "camps" on the east coast, and will then connect to Foresthill Road.

This race is of concern for many reasons. About 30% of the race is planned for single track trails, and neither the promoter, nor Royal Gorge LLC has provided information about where those trails are. Royal Gorge may not use any of the Forest Service land they hold cross country ski permits for for this event without separate permits from the Truckee Forest Service station; Truckee's rangers have only just heard of this event this week because of calls from citizens.

Additionally, the lands Royal Gorge LLC are proposing to develop are very fragile, and provide habitat to many species. Before developing, Royal Gorge LLC will have to go through a CEQA process, to assess impacts of development. However, if Royal Gorge LLC allows 700 mountain bikes to race across fragile, single trails on their lands, they will have hastened the destruction of much of the terrain and habitat that will be undergoing study. "Oops! Sorry about that wolverine, but you didn't rate endangered species status anyway." Send in the bulldozers.

Mountain bikes aren't a bad thing per se, if the people riding them are respectful of the land, and the other users of the land. However, when an area starts to get heavy use by mountain bikes, and when, as is often the case, the mountain bikers start forging new trails, areas can get pretty ravaged, and prone to erosion. A big complaint about heavily biked areas is that the trails become rutted, and then, riders, avoiding the ruts, widen the trails. And so on. For a race involving up to 700 riders, multiply this "and so on" by a very large number. A race of this size will be inherently destructive, and it beggars the imagination that Royal Gorge LLC can claim to be "conservationists" while sponsoring an event of this magnitude.

Here's the kicker. The race information sheet states that free camping and free parking at Royal Gorge are included in the entry fee. Let's say 700 bikers enter- I imagine they'll have friends and relations coming along to cheer them on. That means there could be well over a thousand, maybe pushing 2000 people having a nice slumber party up at the end of Pahatsi Road, there for the BBQ and the jumbo projection screen of the race, and the party...

Has it even crossed Royal Gorge LLC's mind that September is usually an extremely high fire danger month? And they're going to have all these campers?

Is Royal Gorge LLC going to post a very large bond, and accept liability for any fire that might be started consequent to such a very large number of people camping on their land?

Royal Gorge LLC will have to get a "Temporary Outdoor Event" permit from Placer County, which as of this week Mike Livak, project developer, is putting on the shoulders of Global Biorhythm Events, who, incidentally, just had to cancel their Mammoth Bar race, "due to complications working with the State of California...there were challenges persuading the State to provide us with the necessary accommodations." Feeling assured that the Summit is in good hands with Royal Gorge LLC's plans?

Me neither.

Kathryn Gray is a Donner Summit resident.

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Comments

Fritz Wisor
11 Sep 2008, 18:32

Just in cadse anyone cares, this race went off last weekend in the Sierras, without a hitch. The rangers were there, and very pleased with how the event was organized, setup, run and cleaned up.
I guess some folks don't mind bikes in their little piece of the woods. Enjoy the summit Kathryn.

Robert Picard
02 Apr 2008, 20:03

It is beyond me why people who are disenchanted with a particular sport or activity want to use any excuse to trash it. It’s not like we are driving our jacked up 4x4s or quad runners through the forest. Cycling is low impact non-polluting sport, whether it is on paved roads (risking our lives with those of you that don’t know how to drive) or established trails or dirt roads. Have you ever tried to ride a bike on a trail or dirt road? How about for recreation? Or better yet, instead of driving your polluting Earth damaging automobile, ride a bike. It’s not easy. We do it because of the camaraderie; because it’s healthy; it keeps us in shape; because of the competition; and it’s a mode of transportation that is non-polluting.
These ultra-endurance races are being held in places that are much more ecologically sensitive and in states and countries more environmentally conscientious with open arms. Why, because it is low impact non-polluting sport that brings environmentally conscience people together and revenue to a local area.
And when they ban ALL people from using public lands and outlaw fossil fuels then we will be truly saving the environment. In the mean time public lands are just that; for the public.
So Ms Gray, get off your ___ and out of your car. Go on hike, ride a horse, ride a bike, kayak, hang-glide; whatever, I won’t be whining because you want to have fun without damaging the environment.

Jake
23 Mar 2008, 17:30

Bikes do NOT belong anywhere near sensitive ecological resources. Bringing mechanical machines/toys into nature areas does more damage than all other trail users combined. Bike owners can use the trails just as other sentient beings can--on foot. What is it about "leave the bike at home" that they just don't understand? Racing, tearing up landscapes, endangering others (expecting a frantic shout of "BIKES!" to somehow makes encounters safe) are all unacceptable.
Also, bikers like to boast at how much work they do with trails. Obviously, it is not gratuitous volunteer work since they expect something in return--more trails. It's akin to child abductors who offer to "rescue" teenagers from problem homes—"just trying to help." NO thanks. Bike tires should be making contact with one surface only--paved trails. Trying to sneak this 100-mile endurance race past public scrutiny exposes the real bike race mentality. They KNOW how much damage they do, but will NOT accept responsibility for their own bad apples.
We are all grateful for the work of Mrs. Gray to protect the region from more degradation.

Kathryn Gray
20 Mar 2008, 21:53

Permit Update March 20

The TNF ranger in charge of issuing permits has stated that there is no permit in place for the race, and no permit in process. As of yesterday, no permit had yet been applied for.

Michael J Hartlaub
20 Mar 2008, 00:41

This is a silly email. Mountain bike races are a safe and supportive environment. This is absolutely no different than a marathon or triathlon event.

I suspect that there is a particular agenda here. The anti-mountain bike contingent of horseback riders and hikers is often throwing up red herrings such as these.

I've been to mountain bike races, they are nothing if not an opportunity to influence a larger number of people to joining the environmental movement, and allowing another contingent of people to leave their couches and see the great outdoors. Its too bad that some people do not see it this way.

Thank you.

Jenyth Gearhart Utchen
20 Mar 2008, 00:29

It's interesting what happens when a group of people take personal offense when their pet project comes under attack. I don't read anything in Ms. Gray's article that defames the character of the race promoters, or suggests the bike riders are a bunch of "flame-throwing Phish or Grateful Dead tour dirties" like Sarah Piccolo suggests.

Instead, I read a list of thoughtful questions from one who has dedicated herself to the protection and promotion of the very pristine area all of us tied to the Donner Summit area enjoy. While I could list credentials that rival those who have responded to her piece, I feel my background is totally irrelevant to the true issues at hand. We all have a right to our opinions, but I believe Ms. Gray is in search of facts, not opinions.

If those who are in favor of the bike ride want to gain more support for their event, they have certainly chosen the wrong tactic. Let's attack "lame, one-sided and uninformed" Kathryn instead of systematically addressing her valid concerns. To use some appropos cliches, let's just add gasoline to the fire, in September, no less.

It's really quite simple. Let those of us connected to the area in question know that you are following the rules set up for everybody, and not trying to circumvent them like we have witnessed your host doing. If the permit in question had been issued when the ranger said it had been issued, this issue would be a non-issue.

However, the rangers and race promoter now risk being called names like "lame...[and] uniformed" since nobody can find that vital piece of paper. Does anybody know what's going on at this point, really? Yes, we have a date for a bike race, but do we have a place to pee before and after?

To be honest, I was pretty excited when I heard about the race last week. Even though a few decades have passed since my trusty red bike has screamed down the flume trail on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, I have enjoyed the camaraderie of the cycling world. I would love to hear about the pre-race trail management plans and post-race maintenance plans. You would show great leadership and foresight if you published the train schedule so everyone knows when Soda Springs Road will be blocked, and planned your ride and shuttles accordingly. It would be great to know you have consulted with the fire captains as to an evacuation plan if that one-in-a- million-chance spark from a bike crashing into the granite rocks were to ignite some lodgepole pine needles (and spread to the tree crowns, like the Angora Ridge fire). The locals would really appreciate some extra business after the Labor Day weekend crowds have left for three months, if they knew they wouldn't find folks camping in their driveways when they returned. We would love to know which trails are designated for the race, so those of us with small children or Scout troops can avoid them during that weekend, keeping everyone involved safe. This doesn't seem too much to ask. And, while I'm at it, I have just one more, tiny request.

Please focus on the race -its impacts, its benefits, and its risks -instead of wasting time publicly skewering one of your neighbors because her questions make you uncomfortable. You don't want to sound like a bunch of "budweiser guzzling cigarette smoking hunters." I like your title of "gracious unassuming" custodians of the environment much better in search of the last virgin trail. I like your idea of "gracious unassuming steward of the land" much better, and hope you will strive to make the image real.

Cordially,
Jenyth Utchen

Kathryn Gray
18 Mar 2008, 16:30

PERMIT UPDATE TUESDAY MARCH 18

When the race promoter called me on Friday, March 14, he told me he would be meeting with a specific employee at Placer County Planning on Tuesday (today). We found out this morning that he has not met with, nor has he spoken to this person to schedule a meeting regarding Placer County permits.

Royal Gorge LLC must obtain at a minimum, a Temporary Outdoor Event permit (TOE) from Placer County in order to host the Tahoe Sierra 100 (or 110) RG LLC may actually have to have their Conditional Use Permit (CUP) go through an amendment process, as a 700 entrant mountain bike race, which will go over Royal Gorge trails, and involve the surrounding community's roads goes far beyond running a quiet cross country operation in the winter.

The county will have to look at many variables before issuing a TOE, including but not limited to the impact on the single lane section of Soda Springs Road that serves private property, environmental damage, crowd management, and parking. Royal Gorge's parking lot has under 300 spaces. To avoid undue burden to the community off-site lots, with shuttle service will most likely be necessary.

Additionally, both Placer County and the Truckee Fire Protection District will have to weigh the wisdom of allowing those of the 700 entrants who do not rent accommodations to camp or sleep in their vans during high fire season, in a location that does not have an established campground.

Fritz Wisor
18 Mar 2008, 13:13

Is this about saving Donner Summit from one weekend of mountain biking, or is this about a fight between Kathryn and the owners of Soda Springs LLC? I feel like the latter would be a better position for her.
I lived in Truckee during the late 90's boom, and built homes (as a carpenter, not a contractor or developer) on the Summit. I remember each time an owner feeling like once their home was built, the door should be closed to more construction. It's not uncomon, we all want to keep our piece of heaven, and we work hard to get it.
BUT, c'mon. This is a bike race. A group of responsible people, spread out through the backcountry. After these events, a cleanup crew goes over the course to mitigate and repair any issues.
Maybe Kathryn might like to come along on one of our trailwork days in prep for the event. Get to know us, what makes us tick, instead of firing blindly in her effort to stop home construction on the Summit.
Good luck in your fight Kathryn, but you're picking on the wrong folks...

Kathryn Gray
17 Mar 2008, 14:17

UPDATE

I posted an update as the USFS representative requested me to note that the race has not received permits.
The promoter on Friday told me names of trails on Royal Gorge's land that will be used in the race.
The pre-race you led had actually been cancelled because of the snow; such cancellation was responsible as trails incur much more damage from wheeled vehicles when they are wet.

I think Mountain Biking is a great sport. I think Mountain Biking races with 700 entrants, racing for a substantial money prize, and billed as NUE's championship, are incompatible with the fragile nature of many of the trails at Donner Summit.

Perhaps if the promoter produced an entire map of the course, which will be required for a valid USFS/and or County permit, assessments can be made by all concerned of the suitability or lack of of the venue proposed.
Perhaps there is an alternative location, such as the fairgrounds in Placer County to stage the race from that will provide better accommodations for a large crowd, and will be better in terms of fire safety and emergency personnel response.

Chris Brown
17 Mar 2008, 02:11

Oh Kathryn,
Thanks for your updates on trying to stop some much much needed summer business that this race would provide for Soda Springs & Serene Lakes. I was a member of a select group of riders to test ride the race route last september and must let you and your readers know that the race was never going through the trails in Royal Gorge. The promoter, (who just happens to put on a great 24hr race in Cool that raises thousands of dollars to fight cancer) just has the race starting and finishing at Summit Station. The sensitive trails that you speak of, and that you assume the race would be using, were never used in the pre-ride. I can vividly remember leading the group of 30 or so riders through the confusing streets of Serene Lakes on the first snowfall of the Season. I spent four and a half years living in the Truckee area, two and a half of which were on "The Summit". Like most locals, I know pretty much every place there is to ride in a around Donner Summit. Back in the days all we had to worry about was John Slobber tackling us off our bike as we enjoyed life. Now it appears like we have to look out for you as it seems your fight to "save the summit" has run into a bit of a grey area. Don't you have a big enough fight on your hands, now you want to involve mountain bikers in it? What's next, no plastic toys made in China allowed at the beach for the kids play with. We all understand the effort that is upon you and everyone sporting the "Save Donner Summit" sticker. But look, this race hopes to be billed as the US 100mi Championships. Not anyone will be allowed into this race, we are talking about the best endurance riders in the country. A far cry from the bonfire raging gromit's you're portraying them to be. How ironic with it being an election year and all, that you have chosen to use lame, one-sided, and uninformed tactics to persuade a group of people to believe in what was never true.

Kathryn Gray
15 Mar 2008, 18:48

UPDATE ON STATUS OF PERMIT

For a brief update on status of permit for proposed Tahoe Sierra 100 Endurance Mountain Biking race, please visit www.savethesummit.com March 15 posting

Tracy Grant
15 Mar 2008, 00:22

It's sad to see how someone like Kathryn Gray can be so uninformed about an outdoor mountain biking event. I have been involved in trail maintence for ten years in the Auburn Recreation District for FATRAC. During this time I have personnally logged over ten thousand miles of riding in the Auburn area trail system. Yes I am a mountain biker as well as a trail runner and hiker. I hiked the entire PCT in 2005. I love our local mountains as does the promoter of this event, Jim Northy.

Kathryn may think 700 mountain bike riders may be alot and might cause trail damage to single track trails, however 700 riders hit the local trails in Auburn monthly with little impact. Unfortunately most people that have never maintained trails just don't know this.

Being involved in other events with several hundred riders has taught me our user group is responsible, good stewards of the land and willing to donate hundred of voluteer hours to trail maintenance. This event will be no different.

Best Regards,

Tracy Grant

Sarah Piccolo
14 Mar 2008, 14:26

Wow, I think Kathryn has these racers confused with a bunch of flame throwing Phish or Grateful Dead tour dirties. As a former resident of Serene Lakes and the wife of a competitor in this race, I really must disagree with her as well. First of all the promoter of this event is a gracious unassuming man who not only is a steward of the land himself (has a bird rescue refuge at his home) but a responsible race organizer with a lot of experience under his belt. Typically riders that are capable of this extraordinary feat are not planning on going off the trail onto sensitive areas to "dirt bike." Most of the trails they use are also frequented by budweiser guzzling cigarette smoking hunters who definitely make more of an impact on the backroads than a 150 pound endurance athlete and bike. As far as camping -2000 athletes and fans is quite an exaggeration, And a fire hazard? The bikes are not gas-powered but powered by a lot of hard work and training and I have never seen a fire break out from a bbq on a giant paved parking lot. Please let's close the gap between rider and the community and bring the two together to create this amazing event that will not only bring much needed money to the area during the summer, but also be an inspiration to those who may want to tackle such an athletic endeavor in their lifetime. Kathryn and any of those concerned, please come out and talk to some of us, get to know us and how much we like you, appreciate and respect the land and are blessed to be able to recreate on it. Thank you for reading..

Mark Falcone
13 Mar 2008, 21:39

Dear Editor,

In regards to the Kathryn Gray article. I could not disagree more.

I've been a horse rider, runner and avid mountain bike rider in the Sierra's for the last several decades and have given a lot of time (1000's of hours) to trail preservation and maintenance on the Western States Trail and neighboring trails. I've participated in the Tevis Cup and the Western States Endurance Run. I'm also a Trustee of the Western States Endurance Run Foundation and the Trail Boss responsible for trail maintenance and preservation along the Western States corridor from Tahoe to Auburn.

I really do not see where Kathryn Gray is coming from. First Soda Springs is a public road. The course will be approved by USFS and will only use Soda Springs road and supporting trails in the Western States trail system.

In terms of impact I see this in my capacity as the trail boss for the Western States Endurance Run and nothing is more impactful on the trails and dirt fire roads than motor vehicles (4x4s and dirt bikes).

Putting on a organized event with the appropriate permits and USFS approvals is the right approach and this event will not have negligible impact on the residents of The Cedars or the Western States Trail corridor. Also this event will be good for the community as a whole, because it promotes outdoor safe / environmentally friendly activities.

Regards,

Mark Falcone