Local HMBA Gets Access To Amphitheater Park

The Tippecanoe County Parks board of directors has approved the local chapter of Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) to develop multi-use trails at the Amphitheater Park on SR 43 North. A Memorandum Of Agreement has yet to be completed however once this is in place the plan is to build three to four miles of single track trail at the park
for walking, running and mountain biking.
The trail system will be constructed using volunteer labor and will use US Forest Service and International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) approved techniques for construction of sustainable single track trails. You can help in this effort and be a part of team who is promoting more recreational opportunities in our area. Being a member
of this forum you will be receiving information regarding trail building sessions, organized rides to other areas and general updates as to where we are on trails.

We look forward to your support in this effort!

Results Of Saturday's Work Session At McCormick Woods

Six volunteers showed up to get the trail back in order for riding. The storm last Sunday left several trees blocking the trail plus loads of small derailler busting sticks on the trail. The three trees were removed using a chainsaw and the forth being so big required rerouting the trail to get around it. Using weed eaters we were able to remove the nettles and poison oak which was creeping into the trail plus large pruners were used to remove encroaching branches. The sticks and limbs were removed and some raking took place. All in all we had a successful day and the trail is now fully open and very rideable.

Pictured above: Jason Pruitt, Vicki Albitz, Charlie Myer, Phyllis Myer, Tyler Johnson, Tom Albitz. 

If you haven't visited the parks this year we encourage you to check it out. In the one year that HMBA members have been working on the trail we have nearly doubled the trail and significantly improved the condition of most of the original trails.


Suggested route for riding McCormick's 3.6 miles of trail:

Enter the park from Cherry Lane and turn right onto the outer loop.
Follow this along the West side of the woods crossing a small bridge then on to the Southwest side.
From the there the trail meanders around and ends up at the center bridge 0.76 miles
Take the trail to the right and make a right turn at the Y, 0.9 miles.
This trail takes you around the Southeast section of the woods through twisty trail and along the ravine.
The trail comes back to the main trail near the big tree, 1.25 miles
Make a right turn and follow the trail down the narrow ravine then back up and along the East section of the woods , later the trail drops back into the creek valley then follows along the North side of the woods back to the entrance. 1.9 miles total.

The inner loop (more technical) begins from the entrance but this time goes to the left. A short distance down the trail make a right at the Y.
This trail takes you across a deep ravine via a bridge then on into the center passing over two small bridges / ravines. Several log crossing, some more technical than others will take you to an armored crossing of the ravine then on into the North center section. Again there are several log crossings as the trail meanders ending up at the center bridge, 1.5 miles. From here take a right to head back to the park entrance. 1.6 miles total.

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Tippecanoe County Amphitheater Park

Negotiations have been taking place over the past few weeks to gain access to build trails at Tippecanoe County Amphitheater Park. As of yet, we're still on hold with the county and access to Tippecanoe County Amphitheater property.
The Parks Board met Wednesday (June 3) however all of the subcommittee members had not walked the proposed trail area. The last two subcommittee members will walk the area next week. Parks director Allen Nail is optimistic about the proposal and encouraged us to attend the next meeting in early July.
Tyler, Tom and Charlie have walked the site several times and feel that 2.5 to 4 miles of nice trail can be built at the park. Several overlooks on the Wabash River and Burnett Creek as well as sloping hillsides make this a desirable place to build multi-use trails for walking, running and biking.

Becoming an Outdoorswoman Workshop

On May 4th, 2008, HMBA-Lafayette members Tyler Johnson and Charlie Myer along with Cristyn Elder presented a mountain-biking workshop for Indiana's Department of Natural Resources "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" workshop series. The three facilitated the MTB workshop for about 11 beginner women mountain bikers. We stressed proper bike size and fit, safety, and fun. We may have converted a few of them.

Trail Improvements at McCormick Woods

May 31, 2008 - The work session at McCormick Woods last week was a success! Several problem areas were corrected as well as minor clearing of the trails. It was fun to meet some new people who showed up to support the effort. In all we had seven people who worked for three hours then ended up at Preston's for a cold drink and lunch. Watch for news on the next session coming up soon.




View of improvement to armored ravine crossing (left).

Jane and Cris mercilessly shred nettles along the trail (right).











Trail workers unite - from left to right: Cris Elder, Jane Sellers, Heather Moore, Charlie Myer, Tom Albitz, Duane Sellers.