Black Rock weathering the storm

MOST TRAILS OPEN AFTER ICE DAMAGE

“We are extremely fortunate to work with the great people at the Oregon Department of Forestry, and for the opportunity to have such killer trails in such a beautiful place,”

Black Rock website

Aglobal pandemic unleashed by Mother Nature couldn’t dissuade outdoor enthusiasts from riding the trails of the Black Rock Mountain Bike Area outside Falls City.

Even her second attempt to lock them out of the forest by sending an ice and windstorm through the region was only a temporary setback for these hardy action junkies.

About 40 volunteers hit the trails in March to clear the smaller debris left by the February 2021 ice storm that toppled trees and damaged many of the park’s man-made trail features.

Dan Shell, vice president of Black Rock Mountain Bike Association, was succinct on the state of Black Rock.

“It’s like a storm happened in a forest,” he said.

With the help of volunteers and assistance from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the trail system — with a few exceptions — has reopened.

“We are extremely fortunate to work with the great people at the Oregon Department of Forestry, and for the opportunity to have such killer trails in such a beautiful place,” read message on the Black Rock website.

The picture wasn’t so rosy back in March, about a month after the ice storm swept through the area. Shell said then that the system would require a lot of work.

“It’s not just about trail features hit by trees. There’s also rot going on,” he said. “We’re dealing with features that have been sitting in the forest for 10 years and they’re made out of

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Douglas fir taken off the ground. Some of the trees that hit the features took them out, and we shouldn’t fix them. We should tear them out and rebuild them.”

Black Rock had been a destination for dirt bikes during the 1980s until the Oregon Department of Forestry closed it to motor vehicles. In 2002, a trio of people approached the ODF about building a sanctioned free-ride trail.

By 2010, BRMBA became an international destination for mountain bikers of all experience levels and the International Mountain Bike Association added BRMBA to its Epic Trail Program — a distinction given to trails based on quality of design, organization behind projects and cooperation with public agencies.

Black Rock announced its reopening on April 15, noting there were still some closures and future maintenance to be done.

“In the near future, the trails will close again and small logging operation will commence and keep the trails closed for another short period of time,” read a post on BRMBA’s Facebook page. “More details will be released soon as possible. Enjoy the trails while you can and be safe out there.

To keep an eye on the BRMBA’s progress and any announcements, go to their Facebook page www.Facebook.com/blackrock.brmba.

Black Rock had been a destination for dirt bikes during the 1980s until the Oregon Department of Forestry closed it to motor vehicles.

Black Rock

Where: From Dallas, head southwest to Highway 223 and continue for 5 miles. Turn right onto Falls City Road and drive 4 miles into Falls City. Once in Falls City, travel west through downtown and bear right before the bridge onto Mitchell Street. Drive up a short hill, turn left onto a dirt road and follow the river for 3 miles until you reach the Tapawingo Camp sign. Turn right here, cross a bridge, and park at an area next to the main gate. Do not drive past the gate, even if it is open. Cost: Free and open to the public yearround. For more information: Visit the Black Rock Mountain Biking Association’s website at www.brmba.org.