Since he did such an amazing job with his ‘round the clock TrailFest 2010 Coverage, the McBlog has decided to make J.D. “Big Jim” Charles your official HMT Insider. He’ll be posting periodically with all the latest and greatest trail news and unfiltered thought on all things Hatfield-McCoy. Enjoy!
Recently, I was delighted to speak with Hatfield-McCoy's own John Fekete, the Deputy Director of the finest outdoor recreational trail system in the land. John told me, "J.D. we have some major plans underway...."and gave me permission to share this news with you! Now, mind you, John is not just an office guy. He worked his way up at the trails over time and is one of the primary people who actually goes out and does mapping for new trail systems, oversees the field crews in those responsibilities, develops actual trails and works on memos and legal agreements as such to get the vital paperwork signed… On top of the usual office work!
It has been an extra busy time for him too. Last week, there was the legendary TrailFest event. The week before that, he had Fisher's ATV World crew in the region shooting video footage. Johnny had some more updates for me to share with you, so sit back, sit down and hold on to your hats because some more major projects are coming down the pike! John has been meeting with attorneys and landowners on a variety of projects including new connectors that will expand the potential for the trails and you riders who have come to love them.
Hatfield-McCoy's field crews recently completed the Pinnacle Creek-Indian Ridge connector, a major undertaking that has been greeted with enthusiasm from riders. But the field crew is not resting there, no sir!
"This one has been years in the making," John quipped.
Hatfield-McCoy has also been working on a plan to connect Pinnacle Creek with Twin Falls State Park.
"We have been working on that Twin Falls connector for a couple of years now," Fekete said. "We hope to make some decent headway on that as it will be a great project when it is completed. "
John said negotiations are continuing on projects in Lincoln, Wayne and Mercer counties. He has also been working with engineers on the proposed connector at the Fountain Place Plaza. This is good news indeed, and not just for those staying at the nearby hotel there! You see, when this project is completed (and it has been another long term project indeed) riders may be able to get to several other trails and towns, where they can fuel up and get a bite to eat. This is a major step forward for those of us who remember the days of stuffing bologna sandwiches, chips and beef jerky into packs strapped on our quads.
"We are making progress to connect the Logan -Bear Wallow trail system to the Rockhouse-Man-Gilbert trail systems. That will be a huge boost for the Authority," John said. "To connect Gilbert, Man and Logan will be a huge and important undertaking and an even bigger bonus for our riders and our communities."
By now most people have heard the announcement that a new trail system for Mercer County is in the works, but from a local standpoint, there have been a lot of questions about that project. John told me the Mercer County Trail project and the Twin Falls connector projects are definitely among his top goals, coming up next.
It's important to remember, he noted, that things come up which are unexpected and sometimes plans move back when something unexpected comes along causing delays, be it legal red tape or a flash flood that damages a current trail system that requires field crews to come in and do some major earth moving.
"We knock things out here and there a little at a time," John said. "Everybody wants everything to be done and completed right now, and we understand that. However, we can’t do everything at once, so we have to focus on doing things right, instead of right now. We want to have the best and safest trail system in the country for our riders and that requires us to take the extra efforts to do things the right way."
Adios for now,
J.D. "Big Jim" Charles
Recently, I was delighted to speak with Hatfield-McCoy's own John Fekete, the Deputy Director of the finest outdoor recreational trail system in the land. John told me, "J.D. we have some major plans underway...."and gave me permission to share this news with you! Now, mind you, John is not just an office guy. He worked his way up at the trails over time and is one of the primary people who actually goes out and does mapping for new trail systems, oversees the field crews in those responsibilities, develops actual trails and works on memos and legal agreements as such to get the vital paperwork signed… On top of the usual office work!
It has been an extra busy time for him too. Last week, there was the legendary TrailFest event. The week before that, he had Fisher's ATV World crew in the region shooting video footage. Johnny had some more updates for me to share with you, so sit back, sit down and hold on to your hats because some more major projects are coming down the pike! John has been meeting with attorneys and landowners on a variety of projects including new connectors that will expand the potential for the trails and you riders who have come to love them.
Hatfield-McCoy's field crews recently completed the Pinnacle Creek-Indian Ridge connector, a major undertaking that has been greeted with enthusiasm from riders. But the field crew is not resting there, no sir!
"This one has been years in the making," John quipped.
Hatfield-McCoy has also been working on a plan to connect Pinnacle Creek with Twin Falls State Park.
"We have been working on that Twin Falls connector for a couple of years now," Fekete said. "We hope to make some decent headway on that as it will be a great project when it is completed. "
John said negotiations are continuing on projects in Lincoln, Wayne and Mercer counties. He has also been working with engineers on the proposed connector at the Fountain Place Plaza. This is good news indeed, and not just for those staying at the nearby hotel there! You see, when this project is completed (and it has been another long term project indeed) riders may be able to get to several other trails and towns, where they can fuel up and get a bite to eat. This is a major step forward for those of us who remember the days of stuffing bologna sandwiches, chips and beef jerky into packs strapped on our quads.
"We are making progress to connect the Logan -Bear Wallow trail system to the Rockhouse-Man-Gilbert trail systems. That will be a huge boost for the Authority," John said. "To connect Gilbert, Man and Logan will be a huge and important undertaking and an even bigger bonus for our riders and our communities."
By now most people have heard the announcement that a new trail system for Mercer County is in the works, but from a local standpoint, there have been a lot of questions about that project. John told me the Mercer County Trail project and the Twin Falls connector projects are definitely among his top goals, coming up next.
It's important to remember, he noted, that things come up which are unexpected and sometimes plans move back when something unexpected comes along causing delays, be it legal red tape or a flash flood that damages a current trail system that requires field crews to come in and do some major earth moving.
"We knock things out here and there a little at a time," John said. "Everybody wants everything to be done and completed right now, and we understand that. However, we can’t do everything at once, so we have to focus on doing things right, instead of right now. We want to have the best and safest trail system in the country for our riders and that requires us to take the extra efforts to do things the right way."
Adios for now,
J.D. "Big Jim" Charles
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