Fish Creek Trails - 37 Street to MacLeod
Work on the singletrack in Fish Creek is progressing. (Refer to my previous post for some background info.) The mapping has been done all the way to MacLeod Trail, allowing for better planning of the network of trails west of MacLeod.
So without further ado, here are the maps for the singletrack in Fish Creek (green is singletrack, brown is granular and blue is paved).
Here's the overview:
And details for the west section:
And for the east section:
Hopefully all this makes sense. Post any questions or comments, and I'll do my best to answer. I've also had a few questions already from trail users, so let me share those to get things started...
Is that a trail crew working in Fish Creek?
The Friends of Fish Creek received grant money from various groups for work on the singletrack. The trail crew is tasked with improving the trails that appear on the maps above, while reclaiming old trails. This is happening in addition to the volunteer work days organized by the Friends.
How will I know where to ride?
Kiosks are being installed at the major entry points into the park and will feature large maps that will include the singletrack trails. The smaller, pocket sized maps should also feature the singletrack. You may notice some posts being pounded into the ground along the singletrack. Various signs will indicate the designated trails. All this should be in place for next season (spring 2010).
Who will maintain these trails?
It is my understanding that the volunteer Trail Care program, run by the Friends of Fish Creek, will continue maintenance work on the trails. This is open to anyone and crew leaders are always welcome, as they are in short supply. The CMBA is also putting together trail reports to assist with trail care planning. These will consist of deficiencies to correct and areas of improvement to ensure a sustainable, lasting trail network.
Where is M08-M09-M12-M16?
well, I've been waiting for someone to get the comments going, but nothing, nada, no responces yet, so here goes.
What happened to M08-M09-M12-M16??? That has always been the main east-west route on the south side of Fish Creek. The connector between M03-M04 has FLOODED, which it has a history of doing, thus the preference for M9-16.
There are other trails worth talking about. Is there any point? Is anyone listening?
Well, it's like this...
I really have to keep my comments clean on this one. Umm... It wasn't our call. To my knowledge, Parks wanted those trails reclaimed, as they considered the gravel/paved paths on either side of the new ponds to be adequate. Maybe Olivier can shed some light on that specific Parks decision.
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oh, ya, my comments weren't
oh, ya, my comments weren't directed at CMBA or Olivier. As a matter of fact, I think Olivier has done a great job and I thank him for that. My frustration is with Parks and the friends of fish creek as I just don't understand what their ultimate objectives are. Time for me to move on. Happy Trails folks, see you on M12 :)
it's complicated
There is/was a mass of criss-crossing trails coming off of C30. When we presented the trails to Parks, it was clear that having so many parallel trails was unacceptable. We had initially 2 trails north of Marshall Springs, but in the interest of saving M18, we had to drop one on the north side. The reasoning went something like this. There are drainage issues at the north-west end of M08 and a not-so-sustainable downhill at the east end. M03 is more interesting and challenging than the straighter, wider, and more boring M12.
So that led to the maps you see above. Is that the right decision? I don't know. But one had to be made...
There will also be on-going work on the trails. If the section from M03 to M04 proves to be a problem, we'll get it on the work list we present to Parks. Perhaps it can be routed around the flood area...? If there are other areas that need improvement (drainage issues, sustainability problems due to widening corners, etc), let us know. We are starting to put together a plan for what needs to be addressed in the coming year.
What are the intentions for the singletrack trail? There are a number of competing goals, not all of which are clear to me. I was also hoping for more comments, so hopefully they will come now that this has made it on the front page...
Excellent work
I want to comment on the excellent work Olivier has put into Fish Creek and the extensive mapping and labelling. I am in the process of doing the same thing for Side Show Bob in Bowmont Park so all users can identify problem areas and sections that need work.
updated mapping and other comments
Nice job on the map. Without having reference to the former map with all the red lines on it I am afraid I cannot refer to my earlier quotes which were largely directed to the west end of the park, in particular the g8,9 and possibly 10 (can't remember if these were the numbers) which I believe is a big loss to the biker community. It appears that parks has no intention of responding logically to the request to redevelop a safer west end down hill on some of the best terrain and least used terrain in the park. Instead they appear to be proud of their piece of shit asphalt trail system that is a serious hazard to pedestrians, myself included when I am walking there with the chariot and kids in winter and spring while traversing from evergreen to woodbine.
In recent years (i.e. the last 10 years) I have never ventured much beyond the old police and fire games loop - the west end. I find that loop, when intact, is pretty much the best recreational trail for evening rides and warming up to the bigger trails in k-country and the bow valley. It appears you guys have done some work on mapping out other more easterly singletrack trails such as the area between e1 and n26, that maybe is even a nice downhill. I plan on checking these trails out as soon as I can weather depending of course, so thanks for doing this and working to keep trails I am not currently using, open.
While I appreciate the cmba for the work involved, I am becoming annoyed with using you guys as the intermediary. How about we invite some currently nameless and faceless employee from parks to actually participate in this board (i.e. take questions and provide answers to the general public) rather than run it through the cmba. I can live with the closures that have taken place this year for sure. Up to this point I have not really had to make a substantial change to my ride in many years. I think the connectedness and value of the trail system is taking too large a hit on the west end in 2010, especially in light of the major terrain resculpting going on for the water retention ponds. to me there is absolutely no danger of having riders near (i.e within 10 metres) the ponds on the west end. to suggest otherwise hints of ridiculous corporate double speak. Is parks canada going to close the lake minnewanka trail due to its proximity to the lake? Well enough of my rant. I really appreciate how close this park is to my house when I can't hit moose mountain. Riding to fish creek is what makes living in this suburb tolerable and distinguishes it from many others. Have a great winter cmba!
Can you make this Google map public?
Great map! Thanks for taking the time and effort. I'd love to be able to zoom in and out of this map at higher resolution if you could make it public.
I'm relieved to see H19 to E01 survive, however I'm bummed not to see the 2 great downhill trails south of H09 (located behind the park bench overlooking Marshal Springs)
Here's a public map of one of my old FC loops.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=1128282077561745...
Update
I just got an update from the FoFC and Parks ... trails M20, M22 and M23 cross over city property and will therefore not appear on the Fish Creek park maps. Also, there is apparently a new gravel access trail going in - it will cross M22 and coming up from the southeast (I don't have the exact coordinates of where this trail will end up).
If that's the case, then
If that's the case, then the map is going to have a very big glaring hole in it. Do we need to bring M09 and M12 back into play?