WINNEMUCCA - The Santa Rosa Mountain Range, located north of Winnemucca, is one of the most visually stunning and underutilized recreation destinations in the state. Despite being prime country for ATV touring, there are no well-marked motorized trail routes designed for unobstructed touring anywhere in the District. During meetings of the Humboldt (NV) Resource Advisory Committee in 2011, members voiced community support for increasing ATV recreation opportunities in the Santa Rosas.
This resource advisory committee was convened in order to allocate Title II funds available under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. One of the projects approved by the committee was the purchase of ATV "cattle guards," which allow riders to pass through a fence without having to get off their quad and open and close a gate.
"After speaking in greater depth with a local retailer of ATVs, the Northern Nevada ATV Association and other citizens, it was evident that a project to develop two ATV loop tour routes on the District, incorporating the ATV cattle guards, had enough support in the community to be highly successful", according to Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) Executive Director Andy Hart.
He worked with the Forest Service to develop a project proposal submittal for Recreation Trail Program funding through the State of Nevada. Hart successfully presented the project proposal to the state panel members charged with reviewing and selecting projects. With the two sources of funding in hand, project planning began in earnest.
The project will create a 22-mile motorized trail loop route system in the northern portion of the Santa Rosa District. The large expanse of high plateau terrain is only relatively flat of course; it is ringed by 8,000 foot peaks, dissected by several deep canyons and littered with springs and riparian areas. Riding on the 22-mile loop, a vistor will pass through one of the widest varieties of habitat and wildlife viewing opportunities in Humboldt County.
The route is composed of sections of existing roads and trails, and is designated the Buckskin-Holloway Meadows Loop and the Table Mountain Loop. An information kiosk, route signs and several ATV cattle guards are being installed this summer. Additionally, a route map and an interpretive brochure will be created for public distribution. The interpretive brochure will include Tread Lightly! practices, as well as information on habitat, flora and fauna of the area. These improvements will help riders who are not familiar with the area to enjoy the forest while riding a well-defined route.
Since the Santa Rosa District is intensively managed for livestock grazing, as one of the multiple use of the forest, there are numerous fence crossings. The two loop routes currently cross 11 fence lines, all of which are gated, requiring a rider to dismount and mount twice for each crossing. Placement of ATV cattle guards at these locations will create an optimal riding experience.
No restrictions exist for these routes. The project will clearly delineate and illustrate the route for all users while also enhancing the riding experience particularly for ATVs, motorcycles and mountain bikes. The route takes in some of the finest scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities in our area, and therefore could also appeal to other off-highway vehicle users and equestrians.
Besides off highway vehicle recreationists, the route enhancements and maps produced will also benefit hunters in the area who use ATVs as their primary source of transportation. By establishing a convenient and desirable motorized route on existing roads and trails, the creation of new illegal trails and the use of unsuitable trails or trails through sensitive environments will be reduced.
According to NV State Parks and Recreation Program Manager, Jennifer Scanland, "This project fits the RTP (Recreational Trails Program) criteria nicely since RTP is designed to supplement and assist current federal, state, local and volunteer trail efforts."
She went on to emphasize, "Through financial and technical assistance, and improved communications among all trail interests, the program is intended to expand the quantity and improve the quality of recreational trails in America."
ATV cattle guards are growing in popularity as a way to balance an enhanced recreation experience with the conservation of livestock grazing resources. This project represents the first, to our knowledge, of these devices to be installed in Humboldt County. ATV fence crossings (cattle guards) also reduce any likelihood that an area might be threatened with closure to motorized recreation due to abuse of gate controls.
The goal of the project is to provide unobstructed travel for users of ATVs and UTVs on these loop routes, and eventually at other locations on the District. The end product will result in a greatly enhanced riding experience for visitors to the Santa Rosas while maintaining the integrity of grazing systems. Increased gate effectiveness will allow for optimal range management for resource conservation.
The Buckskin - Holloway Meadows Loop and Table Mountain Loop will nicely compliment other resources and recreational opportunities in the Santa Rosa District. Nearby Lye Creek Campground offers a convenient base for extended exploration of the area. The Hinkey Summit Road, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, provides access to the loop routes, and is a popular scenic detour for travelers on US-95.
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