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Wildlife Encounters on the Trail
posted 09.17.18
There have been a number of wildlife sightings on and around MAMBA's trails recently. There have been numerous reports of moose near Headwaters and, last Saturday, a cougar was seen on Private Lands Trail -- on the switchbacks right below the rock point. Also, there is increasing evidence of black bear foraging (ripped up old tree stumps and logs). The Trailrunner's article, Wildlife and Animal Safety for Trail Runners, provides a nice summary of do's and don'ts for different animals encountered on the trail.
Please respect wildlife and stay safe. As always, respect the private land that ALL MAMBA TRAILS are built on. THANK YOU, Moscow Mtn Landowners!
John Wenz
MAMBA President
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MAMBA News
posted 09.16.18
 If you haven't already heard, we are getting an upgrade to the Moscow Mountain Rd Parking thanks to permission from the Trail family! The old fence was removed (9/15) and work on the parking lot occurs this Wednesday and Thursday (9/19 and 9/20). A new fence will be installed next weekend (9/22 and 9/23) and the expanded parking area will re-open after work on the fence is complete.
NOTE: The Moscow Mountain Rd Parking area is closed during this construction. As an alternative, please park at the Winter Parking Area below the gate. Thank you for your cooperation.
Tony Matson
MAMBA Treasurer
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MAMBA News
posted 09.14.18
 Thanks to the UI Outdoor Recreation 107, Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Sports, a few changes have been made to two unsustainable sections of Headwaters today. Typically we try to close off the old sections after rebuild, but due to the lack of moisture in the trail we have refrained from doing that on this work. The original routes and the new routes are both open until some finishing touches can be made on the new sections after a few rains make the soil workable. In the mean time feel free to use either, but expect loose soil conditions on and around the new routes.
Colin Priebe
MAMBA Board Member
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MAMBA News
posted 09.11.18
 Mark your calendars! MAMBA is having a . Time: Stop by anytime between 6-9 pm. Location: Hunga Dunga (333. N Jackson, Moscow). Come meet MAMBA's board members, give us your input, and socialize with others who also enjoy spending time on Moscow Mountain.
Download the MAMBA Sept Social flyer (pdf) if you want to help us get the word out by printing and posting it.
John Wenz
MAMBA President
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MAMBA News
posted 09.04.18
Notice: MAMBA Business meeting scheduled for 7 pm, Thurs Sept 6th, at Mikey's Gyros, Moscow. Agenda available upon request.
John Wenz
MAMBA President
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Triple Crown
posted 08.24.18
Breaking News: Triple Crown is CLOSED because it is being actively logged. Closure tape will be added to its entrances ASAP. Please avoid this area.
Colin Priebe
MAMBA Board Member |
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MAMBA Board of Directors
as of 08.09.18
John Wenz, President
Matt Pollard, Secretary
Tony Matson, Treasurer
Colin Priebe
Katie Rapp
Donald Schmidt
Sandra Townsend
MAMBA Bylaws and board meeting minutes are available to members via About MAMBA
John Wenz
MAMBA President |
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Fire Danger
posted 08.07.18
 This week's hot weather is a good reminder that fires are *never* allowed on private lands on Moscow Mountain, and it is particularly important to follow this rule at this time of year. Please be extra careful on the mountain until the rains return in the fall. Even where you park your car matters, as hot exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. If you see any kind of fire, please call 911 immediately.
*Note that Stage 1 fire restrictions begin at the end of the day tomorrow for all lands in Latah County.
Thank you for your help protecting the mountain!
Jerry Long
MAMBA Landowner Liasion
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Update on Logging Activity
posted 07.29.18
Although the logging activity for most of the locations on Moscow Mountain has ended for this season, active logging continues in and around North Contour (West Twin). As the cleanup for the other areas affected by logging has not been done yet, the following areas and trails remain CLOSED:
- CLOSED North side of Private Lands from the trail's highest point as you head north to its junction with LaFortunes Flight. OPEN: The south end of Private Lands is open, but the connection between the top of Private Lands and LaFortunes does not exist at the moment.
- CLOSED lower LaFortunes Flight
- CLOSED Cabin Trail
- CLOSED Warnick Cabin and the area surrounding it
- CLOSED North Contour - Active Logging Continues
Gemini, Nemesis, Jump, upper LaFortunes Flight, and the south end of Private Lands have not been directly affected and remain open.
Please respect the landowners' wishes, and more importantly, your own safety by staying out of the closed areas. We will reopen these trails as soon as possible. Let us know if you have any questions and thanks again for helping take care of the mountain!
Jerry Long
MAMBA Landowner Liasion
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Headwaters Bridge Repaired
posted 07.25.18
We had a group of boy scouts rebuild one of the two bridges at the bottom of Headwaters Tuesaday evening. Right now the soil on the bridge is soft and inconsistent. Use care when crossing the bridge  until the soil has had a good chance to compact.
Kudos to Matt Rainey, the scout who spearheaded this as his eagle project. Thanks to Colin Priebe for facilitating it. Thanks to all the volunteers—fellow scouts from Troop 302 and adults—who showed up to help!
David Pimentel
MAMBA Volunteer |
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Mountain Lion
posted 07.22.18
Here is a warning from trail users today. Remember that Moscow Mountain is home to many animals. Please be respectful and stay vigilant:
BEAR WITH CUBS. Bear & cubs spotted on Headwaters around 1pm today by hikers.
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MAMBA Board of Directors Position
posted 07.19.18
We are looking to fill an open position on the MAMBA board of directors. Interested individuals should send an email to: info@bikemoscow.org. Please provide a brief description of why you would like to be a board member and what you can contribute to the ensure the success of the organization. Emails should be sent by Monday, July 30, 2018.
Matt Pollard
MAMBA Secretary
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Recent Logging Activity
posted 07.18.18
Logging began on Moscow Mountain May 12, 2018. Please watch for red tape and large signs posted by MAMBA Volunteers indicating trail closures.  The following areas and trails are CLOSED:
- CLOSED North side of Private Lands from the trail's highest point as you head north to its junction with LaFortunes Flight. OPEN: The south end of Private Lands will stay open, but when heading north, be sure to stop and turn around BEFORE the trail heads down into the trees. (The trail has been marked where it is closed.)
- CLOSED lower LaFortunes Flight
- CLOSED Cabin Trail
- CLOSED Warnick Parking Area & Warnick Road
- CLOSED Warnick Cabin and the area surrounding it
- CLOSED North Contour
Gemini, Nemesis, Jump, upper LaFortunes Flight, and the south end of Private Lands have not been directly affected and remain open.
Please respect the landowners' wishes, and more importantly, your own safety by staying out of the closed areas. We will reopen these trails as soon as possible. Let us know if you have any questions and thanks again for helping take care of the mountain!
Jerry Long
MAMBA Landowner
Liason
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MAMBA Business Meeting
posted 07.12.18
Notice: MAMBA business meeting scheduled for 5pm, Sunday, July 15th, at One World Cafe. Agenda: approve byaws and appoint 2 additional board members.
Anthony Matson
MAMBA Treasurer
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Headwaters Update
posted 07.06.18
The road from Headwaters parking to the trailhead is in the process of being improved to fix erosion issues. Please be on the lookout for changing road conditions and vehicles. As always, enjoy the mountain and be safe!
Anthony Matson
MAMBA Treasurer
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MAMBA Update
posted 06.08.18
Spring showers have brought June flowers and hero dirt to the mountain, and conditions have never been better. It has also been a busy spring behind the scenes for the MAMBA organization. Here’s a quick rundown of some things we’ve been working on:
- Building and expanding MAMBA’s board for long-term effectiveness and sustainability
- Establishing formal nonprofit status
 Acquiring insurance to protect the MAMBA organization and MAMBA volunteers who build and maintain trails. This is important to finalize before embarking on new projects.- Working with private landowners to facilitate safe logging operations and share information with trail users
- Planning for an expanded and improved parking area on Moscow Mountain Road
- Creating a comprehensive trail inventory and master plan
- Enjoying the trails!
Thanks as always for your support!
Mark Deming
MAMBA Volunteer
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MAMBA News
posted 05.02.18
Mid-mountain is (mostly) open! Gemini, LaFortune's Flight, and Jump have been cleared of down trees. Nemesis has some snow, but is accessible. Jump has very little snow and Private Lands is open except for a single small stretch of snow.
Enjoy the hero dirt and be safe!
Anthony Matson
MAMBA Treasurer |
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MAMBA News
posted 04.22.18
Spring flowers blooming on Jack's Route (above). With beautiful spring weekends come increased traffic and a good moment to remind everyone to be kind to our hosts. Please do what you can to minimize your impact on both the landowners that let us use their lands, and the people that live on the mountain.
On the Headwaters side, please do your best to park so you don't stick out into the road. Carpool as much as you can, increase the angle you park, lift your hitch rack if you have one, or--of you have the time and energy--ride out from town. Remember how you feel when people fill up the road to your own house, and do your best to avoid doing the same to others.
If you're on Moscow Mtn Rd (or anywhere else on the mountain), please never park in front of a driveway or a gate. People use those gates to access their homes, and some are required for emergency vehicles (which might be coming for you!). If necessary, head back down the mountain until you find a safe spot, and ride or hike from there. We all could use the warm up!
Trails mostly clear of snow as of 04.22.18:
- Headwaters (south side)
- Moose Marbles
- Jack's Route
- Switchblade
Thank you for respecting private lands and taking care of the Mountain!
Jerry Long
MAMBA Landowner Liasion |
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New Leadership for MAMBA
posted 02.26.18
As some of you may have heard, there are recent changes in MAMBA's organization. After nearly 20 years of tireless service—eight of them as the President of MAMBA—Scott Metlen has stepped away from his MAMBA leadership role.  Scott's talent, energy, and expertise will be greatly missed, but we have a passionate group of trail advocates lined up and ready to carry on MAMBA's mission. We are pleased to announce the new leadership.
MAMBA Board of Directors
President: Michael Barker
Treasurer: Tony Matson
Secretary: Matt Pollard
Landowner Liaison: Jerry Long
We are incredibly grateful to our private-landowner partners for the access they've allowed this community over the years. We look forward to serving the landowners by ensuring their land is used responsibly and respectfully according to the guidelines they have provided. And thanks to all of you for continuing to be great stewards of the privately-owned lands on Moscow Mountain.
Michael Barker
(former) MAMBA President
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MAMBA News
posted 02.12.18
It's February and having dirt to ride is fantastic! Frozen trails are great to ride when they are completely frozen, but please get off those trails before they thaw. Sun hitting a frozen trail will melt it very quickly, and remember, you can encounter muddy trails even when it is below freezing outside.
 Our local trails get a lot of use. Riding, running, or hiking them when they are muddy increases the damage to them by providing ruts for water to run in, enlarging puddles, and preventing drainage. As you may recall from a couple years ago, once dried, the ruts created during this early-season freeze/thaw cycle will remain for quite some time. They don't just smooth themselves out.
If you can see your tracks depressing into the ground, its too wet. If you encounter a puddle, go through it, not around it. Then, go ride some gravel instead!
Michael Barker
(former) MAMBA President
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Mountain Lion
posted 01.14.18
Here is a warning from trail users this morning. Remember that Moscow Mountain is home to many animals. Please be respectful and stay vigilant:
MTN. LION WARNING. At about 10am this morning, we ran into a cougar on Private Lands. It was on the top of the hill just after the first bridge after the trailhead. Our large dog, Molly, got rolled, bitten, and chased, but got away when my wife distracted it by yelling (thinking it was a dog). The mountain lion paced back and forth about 15 or 20 yards above me while hissing (obviously wanting to follow my wife and dog), and was not at all concerned about me yelling and stomping my foot. It finally meandered away after a minute or two, but didn't seem in a hurry.
Colin Priebe
(future) MAMBA Board Member
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MAMBA Trail Builds