MAMBA - Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association

MAMBA September Social
posted 09.13.21

Idler Fire located on the south side of Moscow Mtn
posted 08.31.21

The Idler Fire, estimated at 116 acres, started burning near the Idler’s Rest recreation area on the south side of Moscow Mountain at approximately 1:30pm Sunday afternoon (Aug 30). An evacuation order was issued on 8/30 for those on Idlers Rest Rd, Twin Rd, and all properties north of 3830 Mountain View Rd. Progress toward containment remains strong. At this time, the Sheriff has rescinded all evacuation orders and homeowners are being allowed to return to their properties, but should be ready to leave if conditions change.

A total of 95 fire personnel are currently assigned to this fire. Emergency responders are asking the public to respect fire fighters and managers by staying away from the area. If you must enter the area, use extreme caution as fire equipment and fire crews will be on the roads.

DO NOT FLY DRONES in the area. Drones are always illegal to fly near wildfires because it will ground all aircraft.

One primary and one secondary structure were lost to the fire. Idler’s Rest Conservation Area sustained no damage. Investigators announced a structure fire ignited the blaze and strong winds drove the fire eastward.

Moscow Mtn Reopens this Saturday
posted 08.26.21

Moscow Mtn reopens to public use on Saturday, Aug 28, 2021. The North Latah County Highway District opens gates on Moscow Mtn roads up to the peak on the 28th.

Sandra Townsend
Board of Directors

Moscow Mtn Closure Continues
posted 07.28.21

On July 12, Bennett Lumber Products Inc. announced closure of their lands to public access for any reason due to extreme fire danger.  That same day MAMBA (Moscow Area Mountain Bike Association) closed the 85 miles of trails the organization has built and maintains on the privately owned lands of Moscow Mountain.

Along with many others in our community, I am feeling the hurt of not having access to the trails and all the benefits they bring to our daily lives.  We need to come together and take action to ensure continued access to this recreational resource that contributes substantially to the health and well-being of our community. 

Thank you for being respectful of the owners and their lands that are shared with us by staying off Moscow Mountain for any use until further notice.  Our future recreational access is dependent on being good stewards and respecting the decisions of the private landowners on which the trails are built.  MAMBA will provide updates on our Facebook page and website. As soon as we have any news about the status of trail access, we will post it.

Our community is indebted to the private landowners of Moscow Mountain, the MAMBA leaders and volunteers that have come before, our lives are better because of you.  Thank you.

John Wenz
MAMBA President and Landowner Liaison

Moscow Mtn Roads CLOSED
posted 07.20.21

The gates on Moscow Mountain Rd/Rock Creek Rd and West Twin Rd were closed today due to extreme fire conditions. They will remain closed until FIRE DANGER is reduced.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

ALL MAMBA TRAILS are CLOSED
posted 07.12.21

Due to dry conditions and high FIRE RISK, Bennett Lumber has closed all their land to ANY USE. MAMBA has CLOSED ALL TRAILS ON MOSCOW MTN for ANY USE. Please respect the land and landowner's wishes and stay off the Mountain and Trails until further notice. The trails at Feathercreek, Little Boulder and East Dennis/Sampson are still open for now, but that may change. Thank you for keeping the mountain safe!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

Fire Danger is High
posted 07.04.21

Please be careful up on the mountain during this very DRY July. If you encounter anyone up on the mountain with a fire... If you are comfortable doing so, politely let them know that fires and fireworks are not allowed anywhere on Moscow Mtn and the risk of forest fire is high. If you are not comfortable engaging someone or if you do and they are not receptive, walk away and call the Sheriff (208) 882-2216.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

Upcoming Trailwork Volunteer Opportunities
posted 06.18.21

CANCELLED DUE TO HEAT -
Sunday, June 27th QMR & Triple Crown Trailwork

Phillips Farm Trailbuild
Saturday, June 19th from 9am to noon PDT
Meet at Phillips Farm, US95 about 6 miles north of Moscow on the left
Build the new Phillips Farm singletrack
The first loop of the Phillips Farm trail is almost half way done! Come out this Saturday and let's see if we can complete the loop.

Friday Night Trail Building
Friday, June 18th 5pm
Meet at the West Twin Parking area
Roughly a 30 minute approach on foot. We plan on digging for 1 to 1.5 hours before returning to the vehicles.

Please wear sturdy shoes, gloves and bring plenty of water and sunscreen during MAMBA trail builds.

Colin Priebe
MAMBA Trails Chairperson

MAMBA News
posted 06.11.21

Greetings MAMBA supporters, lovers and members. Some MAMBA Trail updates for you. But before that, if you aren't supporting MAMBA by becoming a MAMBAteer, please consider clicking the link below to become a member and support all our good work!
MAMBA - Join us

MAMBA Trailbuild at Virgil Phillips Farm Park

Sunday, June 13th from 8am to noon PDT -and-
Saturday, June 19th from 9am to noon PDT

Thanks to the efforts of some energetic volunteers, we have about half of the north loop completed at Phillips Farm. It has rained and thus, digging should be good. Please wear sturdy shoes, gloves and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Opportunities include establishing a new trail tread and smoothing & sculpting finish work. Come on out and help us get this trail completed before the end of June.

Phillips Farm is on US95 about 6 miles north of Moscow on the left.

MAMBA Trail Access on Bennett Land

Bennett Lumber Products Inc. announced on their Facebook page that a permission slip was required for recreational access on their land in Idaho. We got clarification: Those parking at trailheads and using the MAMBA trails on Moscow Mtn do not require a permission slip. As always, we thank the Bennett Family and the other landowners of Moscow Mtn for allowing us to build, maintain and enjoy a non-motorized trail system on their properties.

Fundraising Success

Our new Fundraising chair, Sandra Townsend, has been sending it! We received a grant from the METER foundation for the purchase of new trailbuilding tools and one from the Latah County Community Foundation to build boardwalks for the Phillips Farm trail and purchase a brush cutter for trail maintenance. Thanks Sandra and thanks to the funding organizations.

Signs on the Trails

After a successful trial with trail signs on the eastern end of the mountain, we have gotten the ok from landowners to add trail signs to ALL the MAMBA trails. Trail signs are a great way to help everyone know where they are on the mountain and respect the private property by staying on the trail. Don't forget ALL MAMBA trails on Moscow Mountain are on private land. As always, we thank the gracious landowners of Moscow Mountain for allowing us to enjoy recreation on their land.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA Board Meeting
posted 06.09.21

MAMBA Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, June 10 at 7pm

Agenda items:

• Trail name changes
• Sign amended bylaws
• Trail build updates
• Board of Directors 3 yr terms and open position discussion

All are welcome to attend.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA Trailbuild Report
posted 06.05.21

Photo from the trailbuild at Phillip’s Farm Park today -- great weather and a great crew. If you know any good rain dances, feel free to start dancing!

Sandra Townsend
Board Member and Fundraising Chairperson

 

National Trails Day
posted 05.29.21

WHAT: MAMBA Trailbuild
WHERE: Virgil Phillips Farm Park
WHEN: Saturday, June 5th from 9am to noon PDT

Join us on American Hiking Society's National Trails Day to learn the basics of Sustainable Trailbuilding and help build a new trail at Phillips Farm at the same time. We will start with an introduction to the basic principles of sustainable trailbuilding, tools and safety. Then put it all into practice building a sweet new 0.8 mile long trail ideal for beginner Mountain biking and short hikes.

Should be a cool day, perfect for digging in the dirt. Bring water, suncreen, wear sturdy shoes and gloves if you have them. All ages and abilities welcome.

Phillips Farm is on US95 about 6 miles north of Moscow on the left.

Hope to see you there!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA Trailbuild
posted 05.21.21

WHAT: MAMBA Trailbuild
WHERE: Virgil Phillips Farm Park
WHEN: Sunday, May 23 from 9am to noon PDT

You have a chance to dig in the dirt and commune with nature and visit with like-minded folks on a Sunday morning. We will start with an introduction to the basic principles of sustainable trailbuilding, tools and safety. Then put it all into practice building a sweet new 0.8 mile long trail ideal for beginner Mountain biking and short hikes. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes and gloves if you have them. All ages welcomed.

Next trailbuild at Phillips Farm will be on National Trail Day, Saturday, June 5th!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA Trailbuild Report
posted 05.17.21

We got a great start on the multiuse trail at Virgil Phillips Farm Park last Sunday afternoon, May 16.  Twenty-nine people (10 kids!) came out to learn the basics of sustainable trailbuilding by doing.  The work was tough as the soil was much drier than normal for May, but the crew scratched in almost 900 ft of new trail--about 1/4 the total length of the trail-to-be.

Many thanks to the Friends of Phillips Farm for their guidance and support developing the trail plan, especially Martha Lovett and Jodi McClory!

Colin Priebe
MAMBA Trails Chairperson

MAMBA Board Meeting
posted 05.05.21

MAMBA Board of Directors meets via Zoom on Thursday, May 6 at 7pm

Key Agenda items:

• Vote on amendments to MAMBA bylaws
• Discussion about MAMBA paying for dust suppression from Headwaters Parking to end of Foothill Rd
• Trail work updates: Balsam route, Phillips Farm, North Contour
• UIEF Rec Committee meeting report
• Update on new membership management system rollout
• Update on new website

All are welcomed to attend. Contact The MAMBA Crew for the Zoom address.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA Trailbuild this Saturday
posted 05.03.21

Meet at Mountain View Park parking lot at noon Saturday, May 8, 2021 to caravan out to to the mountain and help build a new section of trail in the West Twin area. We are planning noon till 4pm PDT and will be digging for ~3 hours, so expect to be back at Mountain View around 4:00pm. Bring gloves, boots, water and some snacks. We will provide all the tools.

Colin Priebe
MAMBA Trails Chairperson

Idaho Gives: April 29 - May 6

posted 05.07.21
With the help of 53 donors, MAMBA raised $4,235 this year with Idaho Gives!

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posted 04.29.21

Please join us in our efforts to make this the most awesome time of giving Idaho state has ever seen! MAMBA is setting a goal of $10,000 this year and any help you can provide to reach that goal and support Great Trails on the Palouse would be appreciated. We are writing to ask you to take five minutes to give to MAMBA. Also, consider giving to some of the many other local nonprofits.

Your donation of any amount to MAMBA will help:

• Here's how you can make a HUGE difference:
  Dontate to MAMBA through IDAHO GIVES
  
  
• Spread the word. Text a friend. Forward this email. Post on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag IdahoGives. Oh, and you can also just tell someone in person – that works, too.

Why donate now through Idaho Gives? Prizes! Not for you, for the non-profits. Prizes of extra funds to support our great work can be won based on your giving. Check them out and give strategically to maximize your monetary impact.

Thanks and Happy Trails!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA Trailbuild Report
posted 04.26.21

On Sunday afternoon, April 25, we had a great group of 13 volunteers work on a new trail section. The group was able to make around 750' rideable. Helen Strobel, who helped start this project, showed up for a short bit, and her husband Greg Unruh, dug for the whole afternoon. It was really nice to have the landowners, who motioned this along, out there throwing dirt with us.

Colin Priebe
MAMBA Trails Chairperson

MAMBA Trailbuild this Sunday
posted 04.23.21

Meet at Mountain View Park parking lot at noon Sunday, April 25, 2021 to caravan out to help build a new section of trail on the West Twin area of the mountain. We plan to be digging for ~3 hours, so back at Mountain View around 4pm. Bring gloves, boots, water and some snacks. We will provide all the tools.

Sanda Townsend
MAMBA Board Member and Fundraising Chairperson

2021 MAMBA Membership Meeting
posted 04.21.21

The MAMBA Membership Virtual Meeting included the Annual Report for 2020 and a review of proposed amendments to MAMBA's bylaws:

• MAMBA 2020 Annual Report
• MAMBA 2021 bylaws Amendement Reasoning
• MAMBA 2021 bylaws with revisions
• MAMBA 2021 bylaws FINAL
  

Sanda Townsend
MAMBA Board Member and Fundraising Chairperson

MAMBA Membership Meeting
posted 04.11.21

Join the MAMBA Board of Directors for the MAMBA Membership Meeting of 2021 via.... yeah, Zoom. This one is virtual folks.

So, it won't be THE Social Event of the year. However, it will still be a great opportunity to let the board and others know what you are thinking, learn about future trail planning, fundraisers, goals for the coming year and.... we put it at the end to make sure everyone stays for the whole meeting... a review of amendments to the MAMBA bylaws!

So come as you are and Zoom with us for an hour on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 7pm.

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Please consider Becoming a MAMBA MEMBER if you are not one already. Why become a MAMBA member? To support MAMBA's mission of "creating, enhancing and preserving a sustainable, publicly-accessible trail system on the Palouse." Here is what your MAMBAship helps support:

• Port-a-potties at Headwaters parking and Trail Landing parking. Why? Convenience and good neighbor relations as it keeps people from using their property as a latrine (yuck).
• Trail signs. Many know the trails like the back of their hand, but signs show newcomers the way and help keep us on the trails--respecting the private lands on which the trails are built.
• Maintaining and improving over 60 trails. Recent major work on PLT, Headwaters, and plans this season to redo North Contour post timber harvest.
• New Trails!
  • Balsam Route at the top of West Twin Rd.
  • A new multiuse trail at Phillips Farm that is beginner bike friendly going in this spring.
  • Partnering with UI Experimental Forest planning trails over by the Tamarack parking area.
• Maintaining an inventory of tools to get all that good work done.
• Long-term planning efforts for future trail access

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Thanks to all our members for your support. And for all MAMBA trail users out there we would like to thank the Landowners of Moscow Mtn who let us recreate responsibly on their land. Remember ALL MAMBA Trails on Moscow Mtn are on Private Land. Respect the Land. Stay on the Trail. Enjoy.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

Winter Grooming Report
posted 02.20.21

Winter Trails are in Great Shape! Thanks to Andrew Hoehn, Clark Filip, Alex Kappes and Will Warfel for helping me keep up grooming. North loop still soft but winter loop should be good for whatever your winter trail fun. Get out and Enjoy and as always THANKS TO OUR PRIVATE LANDOWNERS for providing us such a great place to play!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

Winter Grooming Report
posted 02.13.21

Winter and North Loop Groomed - Thank you Private Landowners of Moscow Mountain for allowing us to enjoy the great outdoors on your land!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

Show your support for a Multiuse trail at Phillips Farm
posted 02.11.21

You may have seen the Moscow-Pullman Daily News Article about MAMBA's Proposal to build a short, Multiuse trail at Phillips Farm (pdf).We've had great support from everyone involved so far, but have some concern that the article in the paper portrayed it as only a mountain bike trail, rather than a multiuse trail (hike, run, bike) built to be friendly to beginner mountain bikers.

If you've ever introduced someone to mountain biking on Moscow Mountain, you know that while we've got a great trail network, we're a little short on true beginner trails. At least, beginner trails accessible without a ton of climbing involved.

That's why we've been working towards a multiuse beginner trail in cooperation with the Friends of Phillips Farm, Moscow Parks and Recreation, and Latah County Parks and Recreation. The trail would be about a 1-mile loop that would be a great place to introduce kids, or new riders to mountain biking, take a nice hike or even a trail run. The proposed trail is purposely short and easy so it will be unlikely to attract any but beginning bikers. Signs will be placed on the other trails in the park indicating bikes are not permitted and given the steep grade and off camber nature of those trails, they aren't attractive to mountain bikers anyway.

It would also be our first-ever trail entirely on public lands.

Moscow City Council will be considering the plan Monday, March 1. If you're a Moscow resident and you're in favor of adding a multiuse trail at Phillips Farm, please consider taking a little time to email your city council representatives and let them know that you're excited about the trail at Phillips Farm, and why it'd be a good thing for our community.

Thanks for your help!

John Wenz
MAMBA President

MAMBA News
posted 02.10.21

MAMBA Board Meeting Wednesday, February 17, 7pm via Zoom
Main topics for discussion include:

• MAMBA membership management service plan
• Fundraising initiatives
• Plans for Virtual, Spring MAMBAship Meeting

All are welcomed to attend. Contact The MAMBA Crew for the Zoom address.

This Year Is Going to be So Much Better
COVID brought more users to our trail network than ever before. For 2021, we're hoping for a lot less COVID, and even more great trail time. Keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer opportunities as we work to maintain and improve the trails we already have, bring back some old favorites as soon as logging operations allow, and (fingers crossed) maybe even add a new trail or two to our network. As always, remember, ALL MAMBA trails on Moscow Mountain are on PRIVATE LAND. Be respectful and thankful to the private landowners, our gracious hosts!

Is It Time to Renew Your MAMBA'ship or become a member?
MAMBA trails are open to ALL USERS. So, if you use the trails consider becoming a member or renewing your MAMBAship today. We have been transitioning to a new membership management system and haven't sent out renewal reminders for months! We're working on getting automated membership renewal system up and running soon, but there's no reason you can't beat us to the punch. MAMBA membership is just $20/yr, and helps support our trail access, building and maintenance efforts, porta potties at Headwaters and Trail Landing parking. Click here to renew or become a member online. To all our current members, THANK YOU for your support!

The MAMBA Crew

Winter Grooming Report
posted 02.09.21

After few weeks without a working clutch, the Snow Dog (our wintertime trail groomer) is back and better than ever.  Big thanks to Matt Pollard for his donation of time and mechanical expertise! We've been working to keep the Headwaters Winter Loop groomed and in good condition, so if you've got some fat tires, get out and enjoy it. Cold, dry snow doesn't pack well, so it may be a while before we get a good base established.

John Wenz
MAMBA President

Happy New Year!
posted 01.01.21

Grooming woes. After two uneventful seasons of grooming with the SnowDog, we have encountered mechanical problems with the drive train. Matt Pollard is on it, but unfortunately parts needed to be ordered so right now we are not sure when the SnowDog will be back in action. And there is SO much wet heavy snow just asking to be packed up there. Backup plan: SNOWSHOE Headwaters!! The more people that snowshoe the singletrack, the better it will be for ALL trail users.

Ahh, the New Year is upon us and many are happy to be done with 2020. It did suck in many ways and more than ever it was apparent to me how fortunate our community is to have the trails on Moscow Mountain to enjoy!! Thanks to all the MAMBA organizers, members and volunteers past and present and a special thanks to the Private landowners who make it all possible.

John Wenz
MAMBA President