BLM and partners complete trail construction in Wood River Valley
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SHOSHONE, Idaho–The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Shoshone Field Office, in partnership with the International Mountain Biking Association and the Blaine County Recreation District, recently completed construction of three new trails in the Wood River Valley. The Silver Lining trail is three-and-one-half-miles long and is located immediately east of Hailey. The two-mile Belle and one-half-mile Vue 2.0 trails are just east of Bellevue. These trails are open to Class 1 e-bikes, mountain bikes, equestrians and hikers.
While meeting the need for additional trails as outlined in the both the Hailey and Bellevue City Comprehensive Plans, as well as the Blaine County Comprehensive Plan, the trails also make BLM-managed public lands more accessible to these communities.
“These trails offer people a great way to be close to nature while exercising,” said BLM Shoshone Outdoor Recreation Planner John Kurtz. “They also offer spectacular views of the Wood River Valley. Many people who live in the neighboring communities will be able to access these trails without even having to drive to a trailhead.”
The trails are new and therefore susceptible to damage, particularly during wet conditions. Recreationists are encouraged to use the trails when the trail tread is dry or frozen.
"While all users need to be aware of their impact on newly constructed trails, equestrians should take extra care. Large animals can leave hoof tracks several inches deep in a fresh, unconsolidated trail,” said Wood River Trail Coalition Executive Director Sara Gress. “We kindly ask the equestrian community to be extra aware of the trail surface and please wait until the surface has hardened enough to support a horse or mule."
This new trail construction fulfills tenets of the BLM’s Recreation Strategy, Connecting with Communities. Funds for construction were generated from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act recreation permit fees, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Grant and the Wood River Trails Coalition.
For more information, please contact the BLM Shoshone Field Office at 208-732-7200. Additional trail information may be found at the Blaine County Recreation District SummerTrailLink, https://summertrailink.bcrd.org/.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.