The Unofficial Sugarloaf Chat

SL and the Town have decided making this connection is a priority, which I agree with.

After some preliminary review and consideration by the trail crew, the Town and SL, it has been determined this trail will be approximately 1.5 miles long. There will be some bridges and logistics to resolve, but the price is being estimated at $60-$80K.

What do y'all think about this?

Long overdue!!

How about the $60,000+ price?
And who should pay for it? Just curious....
Originally the Town and SL were going to kick in $15k each, but apparently that only gets you half way....

bigelow wrote:How about the $60,000+ price?
And who should pay for it? Just curious....
Originally the Town and SL were going to kick in $15k each, but apparently that only gets you half way....

Seems high, but what the hell do I know. The town certainly has the money (I know, easy for me to say since I don't pay taxes there anymore) to do it if they want. Can/should any of the recent grant money be used for this, or is all of that already committed?

I don't get the need...Don't we already have trail from the base down to the ODC?? Trails 501 & 502 (the Climb & Carriage Trail) will get you there. Where would a new trail go?

It will certainly make getting back to the base much easier and its nice to see Sugarloaf invest in biking

It's great to build awesome trails but that seems like a ton of money. Locally they've built 1.5 miles using a mini X for a visit of $10,000. Terrain is different but $60????

What about NEMBA? The price doesn't seem steep if it is a wider winding trail.

I think investing. $100-200k a year in mountain biking has paid off. Saw many people out there today.

skiMEbike wrote:I don't get the need...Don't we already have trail from the base down to the ODC?? Trails 501 & 502 (the Climb & Carriage Trail) will get you there. Where would a new trail go?

Anyone have an answer at least to where ?

Aren't there cross country ski trails connecting the two points that could be "improved" as connector bike trail? I can see making it a family friendly trail similar to Narrow Gauge Pathway to make it accessible to all ages/abilities. That would allow everyone access to play disc golf (is that still going - haven't heard anything recently?), events at ODC, access to river, NGPathway to town park, pool, etc. My two cents worth!

I don't know exactly where the proposed trail would connect to the existing trail. From what I am hearing the location and route is TBD, although an initial site walk has been done.

If you read the meeting minutes there was feedback from Selectmen they would like to see the trail beginner friendly, wide, etc., which means it likely won't really be singltrack, but more of a Narrow Gauge type trail. This also means much switchbacking will be needed to reduce the affects of the climbing, making it longer. Cota's comment was to make the connection and then work on it over time to improve it, which might not be a bad idea.

There is existing nordic trail up to the base, but it is quite direct and while it is a gradual climb (nothing steep or punchy) it is long enough to grind on even the strongest of riders. One ride up it by a beginner or casual rider and the will never do it again.........and they likely will walk some of it.

cveccentric wrote:That would allow everyone access to play disc golf (is that still going - haven't heard anything recently?), events at ODC, access to river, NGPathway to town park, pool, etc. My two cents worth!

Yes. Disc golf is being rejuvenated. There's a group working on getting the course in shape now.

bigelow wrote:I don't know exactly where the proposed trail would connect to the existing trail. From what I am hearing the location and route is TBD, although an initial site walk has been done.

If you read the meeting minutes there was feedback from Selectmen they would like to see the trail beginner friendly, wide, etc., which means it likely won't really be singltrack, but more of a Narrow Gauge type trail. This also means much switchbacking will be needed to reduce the affects of the climbing, making it longer. Cota's comment was to make the connection and then work on it over time to improve it, which might not be a bad idea.

There is existing nordic trail up to the base, but it is quite direct and while it is a gradual climb (nothing steep or punchy) it is long enough to grind on even the strongest of riders. One ride up it by a beginner or casual rider and the will never do it again.........and they likely will walk some of it.

Plus you can't fat bike it in the winter!

SkiDaddy wrote:

bigelow wrote:I don't know exactly where the proposed trail would connect to the existing trail. From what I am hearing the location and route is TBD, although an initial site walk has been done.

If you read the meeting minutes there was feedback from Selectmen they would like to see the trail beginner friendly, wide, etc., which means it likely won't really be singltrack, but more of a Narrow Gauge type trail. This also means much switchbacking will be needed to reduce the affects of the climbing, making it longer. Cota's comment was to make the connection and then work on it over time to improve it, which might not be a bad idea.

There is existing nordic trail up to the base, but it is quite direct and while it is a gradual climb (nothing steep or punchy) it is long enough to grind on even the strongest of riders. One ride up it by a beginner or casual rider and the will never do it again.........and they likely will walk some of it.

Plus you can't fat bike it in the winter!

I am told it will be used as the primary connector for winter to get folks to trails where winter riding will be permitted. Good news!! Sounds like 2017 for construction.

I agree the existing way to connect is there but not super freindly to newbies on their way back up the mtn.
Not a big deal from ODC to Snowbrook, but is there a better way to get to the Hotel and condos near the health club except straight up Snubber? That ride was a killer for me recently.

Also, anyone know why did the MTN grass up to the access rd this year instead of making bike lanes? Seems bike lanes would be the easiest way for the $ to show every loafer the comitment the MTN is making to biking.

ja_loaf wrote:I agree the existing way to connect is there but not super freindly to newbies on their way back up the mtn.
Not a big deal from ODC to Snowbrook, but is there a better way to get to the Hotel and condos near the health club except straight up Snubber? That ride was a killer for me recently.

Also, anyone know why did the MTN grass up to the access rd this year instead of making bike lanes? Seems bike lanes would be the easiest way for the $ to show every loafer the comitment the MTN is making to biking.

Up Snubber is the most direct and shortest way. Look at the trail map. Trail 501 (The Climb, aka Widowmaker Climb on Strava) takes you all the way up to the Burnt Mtn hiking trail head. Obviously this is above the elevation of the health club, but you can ride down from there. Climbing up this route you are on on double-track and some 1-track at the top, and you are in the woods all the way. It feels shorter and easier to me, partly due to trail variation and being in the woods, IMO.

Planting grass was a helluva lot cheaper than constructing bike lanes. Nothing wrong with bike lanes, would be great for safety. Would be great for road rides or the odd time you want to slog up the access road on the MTB or the fat bike in the winter.....but I think the money is better spent on the proposed new dirt climb from the ODC up to the base village

The grass was brilliant. At least once a week in the non winter months someone was on a machine fixing the washouts/erosion from the latest rains.. money well spent imo.