BETA Granted 25K for Trail Development
The Barkeater Trails Alliance has received a $25,000 grant from the town of North Elba that will be used to add mountain-bike trails at Fowler’s Crossing outside Saranac Lake and at the Craig Wood Golf Course outside Lake Placid.
Josh Wilson, BETA’s executive director, said he’s thrilled about the grant and excited to get to work on the new trails. “We’re super psyched. This is the third grant we’ve gotten from the town,” he said.
The money is coming from North Elba’s Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF), which awards grants to nonprofits for projects that benefit the community. BETA hopes to raise an additional $15,000 to cover the remaining cost of its two trail projects, both of which are in the town.
The money is coming from North Elba’s Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF), which awards grants to nonprofits for projects that benefit the community. BETA hopes to raise an additional $15,000 to cover the remaining cost of its two trail projects, both of which are in the town.
Fowler’s Crossing is where the corridor of the Adirondack Rail Trail crosses Route 86 east of the Saranac Lake. In 2019, BETA constructed about a mile of bike trails on the north side of the highway. BETA hopes to get the OK from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to build a 1.25-mile loop this summer on the south side of the road. “We have a great project. It seems promising that it will get approval,” Wilson said.
Local bikers already ride unofficial trails in the area, following a loop that climbs a hill, descends to Oseetah Lake and returns on a snowmobile trail that cuts through a pine forest, but this route can be steep, rocky and muddy. BETA’s professional crew and volunteers will build the new trail within this existing loop. Like BETA’s trails on the other side of the highway, it have a smooth surface.
Wilson said the new trail will be in keeping with the mellow character of BETA’s trails on the north side of Fowler’s Crossing, which were designed for mountain bikers who are new to the sport or who just want a relaxing ride. The trails on both sides of the highway will be easily accessible from the Adirondack Rail Trail. The nine-mile section of the rail trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake is scheduled to be built this year.
At Craig Wood Golf Course, located off Route 73, BETA already maintains more than three miles of machine-built trails. This year, the group will hire Backslope Trail Building to create downhill trails featuring berms, rollers and jumps. The two new trails, located between the popular Back Nine and 19th Hole trails, will add a mile to Craig Wood’s network.
The main trail will be designed for beginner and intermediate riders who want to sharpen their skills. The second trail, aimed at advanced riders, will be more challenging.
Backslope Trail Building, owned by Max Van Wie, constructed the Harrietstown Bike Park in Saranac Lake last year. The park was the brainchild of Saranac Lake Innovative Cycling Kids (SLICK).
Other projects
BETA has a number of other projects in the works for 2023. It plans to rehire Peduzzi Trail Contracting to continue work on the East Branch Community Trails off Route 9N between Keene and Upper Jay. Last year, Luke Peduzzi built two miles of multi-use trails. This year, he will create a 0.75-mile downhill trail designed for biking. Once done, bikers will no longer have to descend by the climbing trail.
Wilson said it will take several years to complete the East Branch network. There are plans for five more trails and a pump track.
If it gets town approval, BETA also intends to reconfigure its trail network at Dewey Mountain outside Saranac Lake to make navigation easier. Most of the work would involve renaming trails, installing new signage and designating a climbing route to the summit. Only a quarter-mile of new trail would be built.
BETA also in talks to build a trail to Pisgah Mountain from the former American Management Association property in Saranac Lake. This would facilitate access to the mountain-bike trails on Pisgah.
Wilson said BETA also in talks with the Adirondack Land Trust to construct a new bike trail in the Three Sisters Preserve in Wilmington. The preserve already boasts a popular downhill route.
