Project: Re-route/Re-design
Status: 100% Complete
HPT Lead: Bob M, Dan L
Notes: This was the main focus for early 2006, and was quickly completed by a massive effort from the many HPT volunteers. By changing the direction of travel on a few existing trails and creating a few additional new trails we were able to put together a complete loop of over 7 miles!

This helped to make the trails much friendlier to users that were not familiar with the area, and made a huge improvement to the overall HPT experience.

Project: New Trails
Status: 100% Complete
HPT Lead: Bob M, Mike (Frenchy), Dan L
Notes: Critical to the trail reroute was the need to create a few new short sections of trail. These additions included the birth of the BuckThorn trail, an addition to the beginning of the OB1 trail, and a reroute at the top of the DarkSide trail.

These additions were all accomplished in a very short period of time, thanks to the hard work and dedication of Human Powered Trails volunteers.

Project: Reclamation
Status: 100% Complete
HPT Lead: Bob M, Mike (Frenchy), Dan L
Notes: This is probably one of the most important and difficult tasks to undertake in correct and sustainable trail building. When done correctly trail users will not even recognize that some of the old routes are gone.

This is accomplished by breaking up the compacted soil on the old trail tread to allow the seeds and roots of new plants to penetrate, and to control erosion. Then transplanting native species of shrubs and trees to disguise the old tread, and make it appear as if it was never there.

HPT volunteers worked on reclaiming at least NINE different sections of trail in 2006!!! Including 2 sections on OB1 and BuckThorn , Hill-Pig reroute, DarkSide reroute, boB reroute, Abys reroute, and the MoonShine/IMBERM addition!

Project: Names, Names and more Names
Status: 100% Complete
HPT Lead: Bob M, Dan L
Notes: After the reroute another improvement was to name all of the trails. In years past we had a lot of trails that didn’t have any official names. Now we no longer need to try and describe where within HPT something needs to be fixed, or where to ride.

Project: Signs (Where am I?)
Status: 95% Complete
HPT Lead: Dan L
Notes: Trail marking signs were purchased and installed starting in May. Including flexible marking posts, color coding for trail difficulty, directional arrows, trail names, and informational signs (hiking, biking, horses etc).   The signs are all uniform and conform to National Park Standards.  They are even reflective, so get your lights and go for a night ride at HPT and experience the trails like you have never seen them before!

This was all made possible through public and private donations to Human Powered Trails, Inc.  If you would like to make a donation, please click on the link in the column to the right.

Future Work: Finish labeling the “La Crosse Ridge Loop”,  post maps at critical intersections throughout the trail system.

Project: GPS Mapping
Status: 95% Complete
HPT Lead: Bob M, Dan L
Notes: Once the trail reroute was complete, we needed an accurate representation of the trails. This was accomplished by utilizing GPS and topographical maps of the area. The maps show trail names, trail difficulty, direction of travel and elevation using contour lines.

Future Work: We are still planning on replacing the large map at the HPT parking lot, and having pamphlets available to trail users with the new and updated information. In the mean time the new maps are available online on this website (click the link in the column on the right).

Project: Children’s Area / Bike Skills Park
Status: 50% Complete
HPT Lead: Milt S, Dan P, Roger L
Notes: After approval from the Hixon Forest Nature Center Board and the La Crosse Park Board, we broke ground on the new HPT Children’s Area and Bike Skills Park. This area will provide a spot for users to experience some of the technical features found throughout the Human Powered Trails system, and will cater to beginner mountain bikers, kids, and experienced trail users that want to hone their skills. The area is located within 100 yards of the HPT parking lot, to allow easy access to parents with kids and new trail users.

Special Thanks to ...
Pat Bonniter and Brickl Brothers of West Salem
for the help in completing this new and exciting family friendly area.

Future Work:
1) Finish perimeter trail including switchbacks, off-camber turns, berms , dips.
2) Start work on skills area to include rock gardens, log rides, small jumps, wall-rides and other obstacles found on the trail.
3) Create sitting areas for parents and trail users to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding areas of HPT.
4) Post signs that will help users learn to ride the obstacles, and let them know where similiar obstacles may be found within the HPT Trail system.

Status: 99% Complete (but always in progress)
HPT Lead: Bob M, Mike (Frenchy), Dan L, Milt S
Notes: We are constantly looking for ways to “fine-tune” and improve the existing trails.
1) boB Reroute – About a ½ mile into the boB trail (riding from the Abys ) we completed re-routing a difficult uphill section of the trail to improve water run-off and improve sight lines to prevent user conflict.
2) Twister Reroute – This change was made to improve water run-off, slow riders down, and create a fun and sustainable alternative to the original section that entered the woods from a prairie opening. The new section features trail dips, and rock features that improve the “flow” of the trail.
3) OB1 – Rock Wall – The “wall ride” is a highly technical feature at the start of the OB1 trail. It consists of riding on an eight inch wide foundation wall, approximately 3-4 feet off the ground. It was reborn after changing the direction of the OB1 trail, and the work included creating a short new trail to the base of the wall and repairing the ramp to ride off the far edge.
4) BuckThorn , Twister, Deadwood intersection – The trail leading into this area was rerouted and changed into a switchback to slow riders down and improve navigation of the intersection. Improvements were also made to log and root crossings in the area.

A BIG THANKS to the many HPT volunteers and their families! 
With your help all of this was made possible for 2006!!!

If you rode today thank a volunteer,
if you want to ride in the future become a volunteer.