Can bikes,horses share the Browns Ravine trail? Recreation officials want public input

For many years, there has been sparring between hikers, horse enthusiasts and cyclists when it comes to sharing the real estate on various area trails. Such discussions are arising again as officials from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area are proposing a change in designation of an area trail that is presently forbidden to mountain bikers. As officials look to move forward on the project, they are hoping to hear from area users and residents who have concerns or ideas regarding the change. The Browns Ravine Trail is an unpaved, 11-mile trail connecting Browns Ravine to the Old Salmon Falls Trailhead. The current use designations on the Browns Ravine Trail are limited to hiking and equestrian. The Browns Ravine Trail Change-in-Use (CIU) project proposes to change the trail's use designation to multi-use. In addition to hiking and equestrian uses, the multi-use trail designation would allow bicycles on this trail. According to documents published by Folsom Lake State Recreation area, this proposed change is labeled as a "stand-alone project," separate from the concurrent road and trails management plan. While talks have increased on the project in recent months and a virtual public meeting was held on Jan. 12, the proposed designation of the popular trail is not a brand new topic. Efforts to change the designation first began in 2000 when the Folsom Lake Trails Advocacy Group (FTAG) was formed with the hopes of "increasing safe trail access and reducing conflicts among trail user groups." Folsom Lake Trails Advocacy Group members included a mix of equestrian, mountain biking, trail running and youth representatives and a team of state parks staff have facilitated dialogue among its members. The group met regularly over the course of two years, discussing many ideas for achieving its goals. Folsom Lake Trails Advocacy Group eventually proposed a one-year pilot program that aimed to determine whether a trail within Folsom Lake SRA could be successfully converted from hiking and equestrian to multi-use. The Browns Ravine Trail was selected due to its relatively gentle terrain and light use and that the trail could be readily modified for the proposed change-in-use. After more than two decades of evaluations and discussion, the project looks to be rolling forward but officials are seeking additional input from the general public. Over 120 readers shared their thoughts with the Folsom Telegraph through social media on Tuesday. "Absolutely bikes should be allowed. People need to learn to coexist and work together," said Karen Munoz of Cameron Park. "Walkers/hikers should yield to cyclists and cyclists should yield to horses. One group shouldn't have more right to a trail system than another." Vanessa Boston utilizes area trails as an equestrian enthusiast. She expressed concerns for safety with a change to multi-use as she has seen close calls in the past on other such trails where the company is mixed. "I'm a horse owner, so I'm biased. The speed at which bikes come down with relatively no sound and then these folks have their music in their ears. So many horses have been hit or nearly hit," said Boston. "They are back on their way without so much as an excuse me. Keep them off the trails. Folsom has more bike trails than almost any other city." Jen Glowniak of Folsom is another horseback rider who cites past experiences make the mixing of the two a "terrible recipe." "No bikes. There's so much space for cyclists already," she said. "I've been on a horse along Lake Natoma when a cyclist came ripping right past our five horses, didn't slow down, move over, nothing. Spooked one and the other four followed suit. Terrible recipe." Area resident Sunny Jewell frequently walks on the trail where the change is proposed and is opposed to the idea of mixed company. "I don't want to see bikes on those trails. We have enough bike trails for them everywhere else," said Jewell. " I would like to walk in peace than having to worry about bikers yelling on your left or on your right." During the recent virtual meeting, officials discussed the safety concerns when it comes to horses and bikes sharing area trails, many of which already are multi-use. According to the presentation, over the last 10 years, 73 percent of 48 documented horse accidents have been solo incidents while 9 percent of those were reportedly caused by horses spooked by cyclists. According to the study, 73% of the documented 260 bicycle accidents were noted as solo accidents over the 10 year period. As detailed in the most recent virtual meeting, the Change in Use (CIU) team recommends approving the proposed change to the local trail. However, they do so with a number of recommended modifications in design and management of the trail. Folsom resident Phillip Barkow said everyone can share the trail as he has personally seen them do in other areas of the community. "Yes, we ride around horses on most other trails and are very polite; we normally stop until horses pass," said Barkow. I've ridden on these trails for over 20 years with other riders and I've never seen a problem between bikes and horses; there's always one idiot out there no matter what you're doing or sport you're in." The proposed modifications are focused on such concerns and ensuring that the trail will be "safe and sustainable" for all forms of permitted use. The proposed Change in Use would enhance trail access and circulation for bikes. During the Jan. 12 meeting, it was noted that the current section of the trail that does not allow cycling use, is utilized much less to date by hikers or horseback riders. The Change in Use evaluation noted that portions of the Browns Ravine Trails, which generally features sustainable grades and good lines of sight, are used regularly by mountain bikers. According to the project summary detailed by Folsom State Recreation, the required enhancements include "trail reroutes, the reconstruction and widening of trail segments, bridges, the repair and or installation of drainage features and additional trail modifications. These proposed modifications, which prioritize trail safety and sustainability, have been identified and mapped." High-priority modifications, such as reroutes, aim to repair unsustainable trail segments that drain directly into streams and drainages. These modifications would need to be implemented prior to opening the Browns Ravine Trail to bikes. As officials look to move forward, they are currently asking for public input to be considered. Those wishing to share their thoughts, concerns or ideas on the project are urged to email them to trails@parks.ca.gov by Jan. 31 for review. Officials ask to make the subject line "Browns Ravine," on the submissions. If you have thoughts on this topic you would like to share, please do so using the comments section below this online article. The Folsom Telegraph also welcomes your reader input letters for consideration for publication. Submit letters in the contact section of www.folsomtelegraph.com or sent them to: submissions@goldcountrymedia.com. Reader letters are limited to 300 words or less and must include accurate address and contact information for verification.