Central Nevada Mountain Bike Association
PO Box 502 Austin NV 89310
775﷓964﷓1212

May 27, 2004

Mr. Steve Williams, District Ranger
Austin & Tonopah Ranger District Humboldt
Toiyabe National Forest Austin, Nevada 89310

Dear District Ranger Williams:

The Central Nevada Mountain Bike Association (CNMBA) petitions the United State Forest Service (USFS) to allow mechanized travel (Mountain Bikes) along the non-Wilderness section of the Toiyabe Crest Trail (TCT). The TCT is a 67-mile trail in the Toiyabe Range stretching from Groves Lake, in the North, to South Twin Creek, in the South. Approximately 32 miles of the TCT are in the ARC Dome Wilderness area while the remaining 35 miles are outside the Wilderness boundary. Currently the area surrounding the non Wilderness section of the TCT is open to mechanized travel, except the TCT and associated trails which connect to the TCT; these trails are closed to mechanized travel. CNMBA requests changing the designation for the non-Wilderness sections of the TCT and associated trails to allow for mechanized travel. This would allow for 35 miles of TCT, and approximately 10 miles of associated trails to be open to mountain bikes.

We understand the reasons for the closing of the non-Wilderness section of the TCT to motorized and mechanized travel are 1) erosion control and 2) conflict of use. We believe reason #I is probably more related to motorized travel than to mechanized. It is not known what effect mountain bikes will really have on erosion to the TCT, but CNMBA will periodically monitor the Trail, and in cooperation with the USFS, organize trail maintenance when deemed necessary. As for reason #2, there are numerous trails in the Western USA that are shared use trails (hikers, mountain bikes, equestrian). A prime example is the Tahoe Rim Trail which sustain﷓, much more use from all three users than ever would be anticipated for the TCT.

To further minimize erosion and trail conflict, we recommend opening the TCT seasonally from Memorial Day to September 30 each year. This would prohibit mountain bikes on the trail in the Winter, Spring and Fall when the trail is most vulnerable to erosion. The season will also reduce conflict with outfitters and hunters by preventing mountain bikes in the area during peak hunting use.

Since 1996, when we designated mountain bike trails in Austin, (made possible by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service), we have worked hard to advertise our trails, and ultimately boost the. economy of our 1862 historic mining town. Austin now holds a great reputation for mountain biking, but most of the trails are old mining roads, with only short distances of single track.

Opening the TCT would be a real plus for the Greater Austin Area, and Big Smoky Valley as this would not only expand our mountain biking trail system in Central Nevada, but now would include a real signature trail with over 40 miles of single track to entice more mountain bikers to our area!

We appreciate your consideration of our request, and look forward to working with you on opening the non-Wilderness area of the Toiyabe Crest Trail to mountain bikes. If you have any questions or concerns on this matter that we can assist with, please call any member of the Central Nevada Mountain Bike Association or me personally.

Thank You.
Sincerely,

Darrell McMillan, President, CNMBA