View Full Version : Murphy Singletrack Update
Shorty
08-17-2006, 10:23 AM
After much anticipation, dirt is finally being moved at Murphy-Hanrehan. The contractor has started and will be working through the rest of this season. We are expecting the trail to open during the summer of 2007.
The trail designers worked hard to layout a sustainable trail that stays true to Murphy's roots - tough uphills and fun downhills. The final layout ended up with a 1.0 mile easy loop, a 2.25 mile more difficult loop, and a 6.5 mile very difficult loop. The very difficult trail will be an advanced/expert level trail with a lot of elevation changes and a narrow tread - often times cutting across very steep sideslopes. There will also be some technical trail features thrown in for fun.
The contractor is doing the basic trail building, while the Three Rivers Park District (3RPD) will be installing the 10+ bridges/boardwalks featured on the trail. MORC will be responsible for building the many inslope turns and other technical features planned for the trail. Stay tuned to the MORC forums for updates on the project and information regarding trailwork sessions.
The entire area around the new singletrack is considered a 3RPD construction site and is closed to the public. It doesn't matter if you are on a bike, on a horse, or on foot. If you are in the area, you will be given a $100+ ticket.
Get out and ride the LEGAL doubletrack while you still can!
Thanks!!
chewie_52
08-17-2006, 11:17 AM
Will they still keep the double-track after the singletrack has gone in? It would be a tragedy if they took out the double-track because it is my favorite trail in the metro and I love riding it....much more so than singletrack. I know most people like singletrack but it would be nice if MORC put in more doubletrack...such as you would find up in CAMBA"
Shorty
08-17-2006, 11:31 AM
Will they still keep the double-track after the singletrack has gone in? It would be a tragedy if they took out the double-track because it is my favorite trail in the metro and I love riding it....much more so than singletrack. I know most people like singletrack but it would be nice if MORC put in more doubletrack...such as you would find up in CAMBA"
It's tough comparing an area with extensive national and state forests to a metro area.
Last I heard 3 Rivers was planning on closing it - the existing trail isn't even close to sustainable. A lot of time, money, and gravel is used up every year to get the trail into rideable condition.
I agree it is too bad it'll be closed... there is no other trail around like it... but I understand why 3RPD is doing it.
CadexCFM
08-17-2006, 12:52 PM
When is the trail build for the new single track. This is one I want to get in on early so I know I have a place that I can ride from my house in Prior Lake to the trail and back instead of loading the van up with the bikes. Epic Trail rides will be plentiful starting from home to Bottoms to Murph next season when the 6+miles of expert single track is complete, can't wait. THank you to who ever this Morc person is!
Don Youngdahl
08-17-2006, 01:37 PM
:) .............THank you to who ever this Morc person is!
The best way to express your apprciation for MORC's accomplishments is to join MORC. As pointed out by Pete K and others, MORC isn't some powerful, remote entity. It's all of us, ordinary riders who want to advance our sport.
If you're a MORC member with an out-of-date user profile, my apologies for the sermonette. Consider it aimed at about a thousand other people.
Don Youngdahl
Burke
08-17-2006, 02:30 PM
Will they still keep the double-track after the singletrack has gone in? It would be a tragedy if they took out the double-track because it is my favorite trail in the metro and I love riding it....much more so than singletrack. I know most people like singletrack but it would be nice if MORC put in more doubletrack...such as you would find up in CAMBA"
The decision to close the double track is one that is the park district's. The two factors that I'm aware of that have them leaning towards closing it are 1) the amount of maintenance they have to put into repairing its unsustainable design every year, 2) protected birds nesting in the area. It's going to become a bird sanctuary.
When MORC heard about the potential closure, we approached 3RPD about new trail so that we wouldn't be displaced entirely by the trail's closure.
The outcome of all of this will be a net gain in trail. To your point, though, it's not doubletrack. We have tried to keep the new singletrack trail as close to the spirit of the original Murphy doubletrack with the faster descents and long climbs and plenty of good views.
Scott
chewie_52
08-17-2006, 04:47 PM
The decision to close the double track is one that is the park district's. The two factors that I'm aware of that have them leaning towards closing it are 1) the amount of maintenance they have to put into repairing its unsustainable design every year, 2) protected birds nesting in the area. It's going to become a bird sanctuary.
When MORC heard about the potential closure, we approached 3RPD about new trail so that we wouldn't be displaced entirely by the trail's closure.
The outcome of all of this will be a net gain in trail. To your point, though, it's not doubletrack. We have tried to keep the new singletrack trail as close to the spirit of the original Murphy doubletrack with the faster descents and long climbs and plenty of good views.
Scott
Cool...that sounds like it is going to be a fun trail to ride...I guess my main concern regarding the doubletrack is will the new single track lack the long climbs and fast descents, but as you stated those will still be present which I really look forward to!
Shorty
08-17-2006, 05:38 PM
When is the trail build for the new single track.
We're discussing it right now. As soon as MORC and 3RPD work out the details, we'll start planning for trailwork sessions. Keep an eye on the forums.
pc
gopherhockey
08-17-2006, 06:44 PM
I can safely say to anyone that might be worried about how this trail will turn out that I was completely blown away when I saw a map and witnessed the trail being built. We might be losing a fun area that some still enjoy, but we are also gaining this incredible new trail that will not only give the area more variety, but also take the heat off our other trails. One might actually be able to find parking spaces at Leb after work again...
This is an incredible project. Minnesota moutain biking just took another HUGE step forward.
:banana: :banana: :banana:
Wait till they cut me loose with a shovel in the 'advanced section'...muahhahahahaa
L8Rz
Buck
ebrandel
08-18-2006, 05:08 PM
Two questions, although I don't know if either of these things have been figured out yet.
1. Will the old trails be closed right when the new ones are opened? Or will they remain open until the end of next year (Oct 31, 2007)?
2. With the new trails will Murphy be open longer?
Never ridden there before. I guess I'm just curious.
ebrandel
08-18-2006, 09:23 PM
Oh, and question #3: It was mentioned somewhere that since this ended being a closed bid process that the winning bid ended being an orginization that MORC had never worked with before. Was the winning bid put for by a company that does trail work? Or is it just some landscaping firm? Any concern about the work they'll do?
Guess that was more than just one more question.
Shorty
08-19-2006, 12:19 AM
1. Will the old trails be closed right when the new ones are opened? Or will they remain open until the end of next year (Oct 31, 2007)?
2. With the new trails will Murphy be open longer?
Oh, and question #3... Any concern about the work they'll do?
1. Not 100% sure... haven't heard a definitive answer from 3RPD yet. My guess is the old trails will close for good at the end of this season. The old trails don't open until August 1st every year, and I'd be VERY surprised if the new singletrack isn't open by 8/1/2007.
2. Yes. I'd expect the season to be similar to Lebanon Hills. We'll be discussing the possibility of winter biking, but at this point it is just hiking and snowshoeing after the first significant snowfall.
3. The contractor is experienced, professional, and hard working. I am not concerned about the trail they will construct. The specifications for the trail are very detailed, and representatives from both 3RPD and MORC are required to inspect their work.
Jackrabbit Slim
08-29-2006, 10:18 PM
I finally got out to the trail today and it is so fun:banana: , sad to see it go, but happy that we are getting more single track.
Do we really want/ need another trail with "obstacles thrown in for fun (paraphrasing the orig. post)?" The great thing about this trail is it's flow: the hills kick your butt, but then you get to fly down these rollercoaster descents that are not to be experienced elsewhere in the Metro. How about a very fast trail (well at least when not doing the moster climbs) and leave the obstacles for Leb? I love riding both trails now, but each one for different reasons if that makes sense?
Shorty
08-29-2006, 10:33 PM
Flow will take precedence over technical trail features.
Most all of the features discussed so far will work with the flow, not against it.
You could race at murphy wed night. I did it last week and hit over 35 mph in those hills and still took 2nd to last place. doh.
Everyone got a pint glass plus from freewheel after the race.:)
Jackrabbit Slim
09-04-2006, 11:22 AM
C U Wednesday!!
Wait till they cut me loose with a shovel in the 'advanced section'...muahhahahahaa
L8Rz
Buck
Sheesh....men and their shovels....:D
WildBill
09-13-2006, 08:50 AM
My 2 cents givin the popularity of Leb and my preferences: keep some of the rolling hills but make most of it a technical ride swinging up and down the side of the hills like the farm was. I loved the farm more than any and prefer that kind of ride. Murphy could easily mimic the variety that was at the farm. Murphy is also my closest ride so I'm highly interested and ready to work on it. K?
Shorty
09-13-2006, 01:00 PM
Murphy is also my closest ride so I'm highly interested and ready to work on it.
Cool. Glad to hear it! We'll need all the help we can get.
Trailwork won't be starting until next spring, but we'll be planned and ready to go as soon as the ground is ready for digging.
Keep an eye on the Murphy forums for updates.
Will the trail be roughed in late this season at least enough to ride and pack some of the trail in. Think that it would take at least a season to get the entire trail setup with all features.
Shorty
09-13-2006, 04:09 PM
Will the trail be roughed in late this season at least enough to ride and pack some of the trail in. Think that it would take at least a season to get the entire trail setup with all features.
Nope.
Unfortunately, the trail will not be rideable until the spring or summer of 2007.
It is a closed (and enforced) Three Rivers' construction site until then.
Trail features will not come until later in 2007.
pc
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