Whiskey Run Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2017

WHISKEY RUN MOUNTAIN BIKING TRAILS TO OPEN

Coos County is pleased to announce that the Whiskey Run Mountain Biking Trails will be open to the public effective November 18, 2017. Approximately eight miles of the initial ten mile trail are complete for public use. The trails are located on the Coos County forest, west of Highway 101 between Coos Bay and Bandon.
Coos County is one of Oregon’s hardest hit economic counties and has suffered greatly from reduced timber harvests. Consequently, the county does not have extra money to build recreational trails. These trails are made possible through grants from Oregon State Parks Recreational Trails Program, Business Oregon, and the Southern Oregon Workforce Investment Board. It provides an opportunity for tourists and locals alike to visit a well-managed forest while also enjoying recreational opportunities on the Oregon Coast.
“This project just proves how much we can do when we work together,” stated Board of Commissioners Chair Melissa Cribbins. “This partnership combined the efforts of Coos County, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, Jon-Paul Bowles, Chris Barnhart of Sentieros Consulting, Eddie Kessler of Ptarmigan Trails, Travel Oregon and its regional steering committees, and the efforts of the Wild River Coast Mountain Biking Club.”
The initial opening will be celebrated on November 18, 2017 at 11 am with free hot dogs and opportunities to enjoy the trail. The trail can be accessed by taking West Beaver Hill Road to Whiskey Run road adjacent to Highway 101. This trail is open to non-motorized use only.
For questions, please contact Board Chair Melissa Cribbins at mcribbins@co.coos.or.us or 541-217-0272.

Whiskey Run Trails Update

yellowlight

Trail Update for 11/6/17

Hey folks, Erin here. I am currently working on a full GPS trail map for the Whiskey Run Trails, with temporary signage, and I was out there today, cautiously, on fatbike. I will have a map posted shortly.

I want to say I’m so impressed with the build-team for the phenomenal work they did on such an incredibly, well-draining, and sustainable trail. I only encountered a few “problem spots” as well as a falling tree, which I informed Ptarmigan Ptrails about. I cleared the Hollerback Trail (main loop accessible from parking lot) and a few other trails such as Dirty Dishes (Josh’s Trail) and Well Shot (Jason’s Trail) of downed branches and debris from the recent rain storm.

I’m giving the Yellow Signal that for today and tomorrow the trails can be cautiously ridden on a fat tire or mid-fat bike without much issue. The upper trail that runs through blacklock soils (called Captain Blacklock) is a bit wet in areas and I suggest a no-go on that “out-and-back”. It is the newest addition to the system so it makes sense that it isn’t quite solid yet.

We have a forecast of over 9″ (seriously!) of rain the next few days starting Wednesday. Please avoid the trails after Wednesday’s oncoming storm and give significant time for drying if the weather ever clears.

For now, go out cautiously, knowing it’s still soft in some areas.

Enjoy!

Oregon Trails Summit

Board Member, Erin Kessler, attended the 2017 Oregon Trails Summit in Bend this past weekend.

The general take away is this:

Local clubs need more volunteers and club members to get more funding, to get more boots on the ground, and to get more trails built.

This is a Call To Action!

We have been building a positive relationship with Coos County Forest and other local organizations and government agencies such as Coos County and Wild Rivers Coast Alliance. We look forward to helping apply for more grants and supporting more funding opportunities for new trails in the Whiskey Run Area in the coming years.

If you have been out enjoying the Coos County trails be sure to consider donating to Wild Rivers Coast Aliance or WRCMBA, and continue your public support of the relationships we are building in our communities. Your contribution and vocal support will help us bring more trails to you for your and your family’s enjoyment.