Jerry Sprunger cartoon.
Extreme downhill mountain bikers have cut illegal trails on Crane Mountain and constructed unauthorized jumps and ramps on its historic Beardance Trail. The Forest Service has allowed these illegal trails and structures to persist for years, setting the stage for dangerous conflicts between breakneck mountain bikers and other forest users.
Some extreme mountain bikers have organized as Crane Mountain Trail Supporters and are being courted by the Forest Service. We offer our findings in this article and provide photos of some of the illegal trails, jumps and ramps in our Crane Mountain Position Paper.
If you agree with our position, please email District Ranger Rich Kehr at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Tell him you want all unauthorized extreme downhill mountain biking trails, jumps and ramps removed from Crane Mountain - and that you want to be kept informed.
Such rogue and bullish downhill mountain biking is causing problems across the country, has already caused problems near Whitefish, and will certainly cause problems in the Swan Range and elsewhere if we can’t get a handle on it near Bigfork.
Swan View’s Winter-Spring 2011 Newsletter reports on how we stopped the poisoning of old-growth forest in the Swan Valley, a federal bear expert calling the Swan Crest Footrace “human arrogance,” a Forest Service initiative to down-size its road system nation-wide, and how you can help secure better Forest Planning regulations in 5 minutes!
Swan View’s Holidays 2010 Newsletter celebrates the designation of critical habitat for bull trout, pays tribute to members and conservation heroes that passed away this year, recognizes the need to invest time in the outdoors with our youth, and notes there is still time for your DONATIONS to meet our Cinnabar challenge grant BY NOV 30!
Reminds you to mark your calendar for our Nov 7 fund-raiser party at El Topo Cantina in Bigfork and our Nov 21 annual meeting, reports on why wildlife biologists roundly criticize the Swan Crest 100 Foot Race, tells of how similarly unauthorized activities have proven harmful or fatal, and reminds you that your DONATION by Nov 30 will be matched by Cinnabar Foundation!
Urges you to write a short letter in support of “critical habitat” for threatened bull trout, reports on broad-based opposition to Senator Tester’s wildlands logging bill, reports on the absurdity of late-season snowmobiling on the Flathead National Forest, and provides a “clip and carry” card to help you report motor vehicle abuses of public lands!
Finds rays of hope in these economic hard times, reports on increased funding for Forest Service road reclamation, gives historical perspective for the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, illustrates with maps the importance of wildlands to wildlife conservation, and provides several ways for you to support our nonprofit work through a donation today!
Announces our 25th annual membership meeting and potluck November 8; reports on our deliberate choices of media; tells how our lawsuits continue to secure quiet habitat for fish, wildlife and people; reports on the winners of our Celebrating the Swan Range photo contest; and announces Cinnabar Foundation will once again double your donation!
Previews our “Celebrating the Swan Range!” Photo Exhibit, reports on two important decisions securing portions of the Swan Range from motorcycle and snowmobile intrusions, and contrasts Tester’s Wildlands Logging Bill with the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act!
Summer_2009_e.pdf
USFS photo of culvert removal in Big Creek.
