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Mount Nebo, Trail Canyon, French Hollow
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The new travel map for the Uinta National Forest has an addendum that showes a few trails open to motorcycles
on Mount Nebo. When we went to check them out, we found some excellent trails. However we had to deal
with inconsistent trail posting, a vague travel map, and several upset horseback riders even though we
were extremely courteous.
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I contacted Uinta National Forest to make sure we could still ride these trails despite the inconsistent
posting. They said as long as we had the current travel map and were positive we were on a open trail
according to it we were fine. The map is the most correct since the carsonite markers are constantly
vandalized. I ask about volunteer work that would help correct this. They suggested I contact Brian
Louw, Brett Day, and Dale Husk, members of Uinta National Forest's trail maintenance crew, who were in
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the process of maintaining and GPSing all the trails in the Uinta National Forest with motorcycles.
When I contacted Brian he invited me to join them for some trail work.
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We unloaded at Soldier Summit and set out for Trail Canyon Trail. It was a little difficult to find
but once we did the trail maintenance crew quickly cleared the downed trees on the trail. Joe Witt of
the UTMA was also there and he and I removed the sections as they cut them with their chainsaws. This
was a sweet little trail down a beautiful canyon. Unfortunately I had to work and couldn't spend the
whole day. I returned that weekend to ride it again.
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When I learned the Trail Maintenance Crew was planning to ride French Hollow Trail I had to join them.
I looked at riding this trail before but it was posted with only a hiker on the carsonite marker. The
travel map shows the trail open to motorcycles.
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We unloaded near Strawberry Reservoir and rode to the trailhead. Brett set up the GPS while we rode
down the trail. We stopped numerous times to clear the trail. Brian and Dale managed to cut through
a large tree that had been blocking the trail for a very long time. Continuing on we found many more
trees down. It was very obvious this trail hadn't been cleaned in years.
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The chainsaws ran out of gas near the end of the trail. We kept going trying to ride over the downed
trees. As I was crossing a log on a side hill I tipped over and broke my shifter shaft at the splines.
I used some pliers to get my bike into first and headed back. I knew it would take awhile. When I
reached the main road I was grateful I could coast most of the way. In spite of all the problems we
had, I had a great time. This was one of the most scenic trails I have ever been on. I'm looking forward
to riding it and the other trails in the area this year.
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After riding with the Trail Maintenance Crew I have seen how much work it takes to maintain our forest
trails. Brian, Brett, and Dale work extremely hard to keep the trails clear and open. I admire them
for their efforts to promote OHV access in the forest. The GPS data they have been collecting will be
a complete inventory of trails and roads that will go to make a new, more accurate travel map for the
Uinta National Forest. I thoroughly enjoyed working with these guys. I hope that this year I can join
them more often as a valuable volunteer.
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I checked with a couple of shops about welding the end of the shaft back on but they said it would be
impossible. The only way to replace the shifter shaft was to take apart the engine. Brian Louw offered
to help me so I pulled the engine and took it down to him. Brian took the engine to his welder friend
who was able to weld the end of the shaft back on. Thank you Brian!
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This year I will be certified to run a chainsaw in the forest. Brian Louw invited me to take a chainsaw
certification class offered by the Uinta National Forest Service. Now I will be able to use a chainsaw
when I'm maintaining trails with the Uinta Trails Maintenance Crew.
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