Winnemucca Mountain's bike trail will be easier to find and easier to navigate soon.
Humboldt County commissioners got the go-ahead from Nevada Department of Wildlife to use the remaining Question One grant money that paid for development of the trail to put in a few finishing touches.
The money will be used for additional signs to point the way to the trail and striping along the road from Veterans Park to the trailhead. Question One bond funding was allocated in grants to wildlife and public land projects all over the state.
Biking and hiking enthusiasts haven't been waiting around for local government or grant funding to finish work on the trail. Chuck Austin, who has worked on and supported bike trail development, worked with Joey Carmosino from the BLM, who helped get signs and stickers for the trail paid for by BLM.
A "You Are Here" sticker goes on each sign to tell walkers, runners or bikers where they are one the trial and how much further they have to go.
Austin and employees have been putting the signs in place with a rock and wire assembly. The few signs that had been put in place by the group with whom the county contracted to develop the trail had fallen down or broken off.
Austin says the trail could still use some additional signs, "We've put in 10 and there are 10 more to go, but more help with the rock and wire sign supports would be welcome. My back can't take it."
Signs or no signs, Austin and many others use the trail regularly. Out-of-town walkers, runners and bicycle riders come into Austin's bike store regularly asking about local area trails. He often directs them to Winnemucca Mountain where there is a 1-mile trail, a 3.5-mile trail and one more trail that is 6 miles to the top of the mountain for a 12-mile round trip.
When there is too much snow on top, Austin said the 3.5-mile trail is usually clear. He just goes up and does that section "two or three times" if he wants a longer ride.
Some of the final work being discussed by the commissioners will include moving a kiosk to Veterans Park so it will be more visible.
They're thinking people will leave their cars and unload their bikes at the park. The striping they're talking about would then mark the path from the park to the trail head.
The local bike shop, Bikes and More on Bridge Street, has maps for trails in the area as well as information about the level of challenge.
"Bloody Shins" is the name of the other open-land bike trail in the area. Those using it would also benefit from additional signs. The terrain for the Bloody Shins trail is much different than Winnemucca Mountain - smaller hills, softer ground. Use of the trails by motorized vehicles often results in deep bug-dust and difficult passage.
Austin said there are many dirt roads in that area that would be great for motorized vehicle riders to use. He hopes if the walking, running and biking trails are marked more clearly, motorized riders would choose other paths to ride.[[In-content Ad]]
