MAMBA - Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association

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 andmaintain 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

Logging Activity
posted 05.10.18

Notice! Starting May 12th, active logging begins on Moscow Mountain. Watch for red tape and large signs posted by MAMBA Volunteers indicating trail closures. The following areas and trails are CLOSED until the end of logging operations (~end of July):

• 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 — logging continues in this area

The following area is open, but should be treated with CAUTION until the end of logging operations (~end of July):

• PROCEED WITH CAUTION through the Moscow Mtn Rd Parking (the first flat section above the gate on Moscow Mtn Rd) and its surrounding area. This area will also see logging activity this summer. If in doubt, park down below the gate at the Winter Parking area.

Gemini, Nemesis, Jump, upper LaFortunes Flight, and the south end of Private Lands will not be directly affected by the logging itself, although there will be a substantial increase in traffic on Moscow Mtn Rd. Please respect the landowners' wishes, and more importantly, your own safety.

We will reopen the trails as soon as possible after logging is over. Let us know if you have any questions and we'll do our best to send updates regarding any new information we receive. Thanks again for helping take care of the mountain!

Jerry Long
MAMBA
LANDOWNER
LIAISON

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

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 LIAISON

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
MAMBA PRESIDENT

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
MAMBA PRESIDENT

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
MAMBA VOLUNTEER

Changes for 2018
posted 01.08.18

Hi all. I am no longer a part of MAMBA. For more information, please post to MAMBA's Facebook page or email info@bikemoscow.org.

Scott Metlen
(Former) MAMBA PRESIDENT