Oh So Scenic 50K - March 15th
The FTA is sponsoring a training event for endurance mountain bikers and runners on Sunday, March 15th (see enclosed entry form). The extremely popular Way Too Cool (formerly Cool Canyon Crawl) filled up the same week that the entry forms were sent out this year and many runners were disappointed that they could not get in. This prompted us to once again sponsor an alternative event on Sunday, the day after, for runners and mountain bikers who would like to do a 50K. Since there is sometimes a problem this time of year with mud on the trails, we are using the Yankee Jims/Ponderosa Way loop for the course. About half of it is dirt roads and the rest is paved. It's a very challenging course; the views are spectacular and there is very little traffic on most of the course. This will be a fun, low-key training event, no fee and no awards/t-shirts. We are limiting the event to 50 participants. We have obtained a permit from State Parks and permission to use a trail through private property in the Driesback Estates. There will be four aid stations. We will be organizing the aid stations at the February meeting.

Trail Work Day - April 4th
The next big trail work day on the Foresthill Divide Loop Trail will be April 4th. Several members of the FATTRAC mountain bike club have been working on this trail a couple of afternoons each week for the last three months! The whole 8-mile loop is now almost completely brushed out. Only the easy work remains, so please join us at 9AM at turnout by Driver's Flat Rd. We are planning to have a celebration lunch after the work. Please bring a dish to share. Tools are provided and there will be a tool demonstration before work. Bring water, gloves and work clothes. There will be an optional mountain bike ride or hike after lunch for those interested.

Playing in the Snow at China Wall
Although the relatively warm weather has kept the snow level up, there is plenty of snow at China Wall. The youth outing on January 25th was fun. There were a lot of people enjoying the groomed snow-mobile trails.

Snow-shoe Partners Wanted
Dorothy Cleveland is looking for people who would be interested in snow-shoeing with her. She is available on Tues, Weds and Thurs and has an extra pair of snow shoes if anyone would like to borrow them. Leave a message at 367-4488.

Monte Verde Estates Development
The Monte Verde Estates Development is in the final stages of being approved. The new development will include 51 new ($200K +) homes, located in a gated community on both sides of Foresthill Rd. just below the Monte Verde Inn. The planner has given presentations to the Forum and the Community Plan team. A trail adjacent to Foresthill Rd. along the water pipe easement is included in the plan for the development and the trail will be accessible to the public (outside of the gated area). The surfacing of this trail has not been specified. We are very pleased that the project will include a trail that will eventually connect to the Foresthill Divide loop trail. We are also lobbying for additional trail connections that would not follow Foresthill Rd. The project is bordered on three sides by public land. The FTA is lobbying for trail easements along the property lines that would allow for public access to the public lands and to trails to be extended from the Foresthill Divide Loop trail.

Proposed OHV Area expansion at Mammoth Bar
State Parks is considering expanding the OHV (off-highway vehicle) area at Mammoth Bar. There are about 900 acres in the current OHV area and one proposal under consideration is to approximately double the size of the area. A public meeting to discuss the proposals was held on February 4th and two more public meetings are coming up. Larry Clarke attended the February 4th meeting and will be giving us an update and some background information at our February meeting.

Next Youth Outing - Friday, February 20th
We're going to hike part of the Western States Trail from Foresthill to Volcano Creek. It will be about 2 miles round-trip. Meet at the Middle School at 3PM. If you'd like to join us, please call Sherri at 367-3928.