Environment DEC
From the July 2009 issue
Multi-Use Flume Trail System Opens
Volunteers helped construct trails for various biking ability levels--from easy to hard
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and its partners celebrated the opening of the Flume Trail System, the first on Adirondack forest preserve lands for mountain biking. "This trail system is a great example of how DEC can partner with municipalities and organizations to develop environmentally safe recreational opportunities on state lands in the Adirondacks," said DEC Regional Director Betsy Lowe. "The trail system demonstrates the value of the forest preserve to the people of Wilmington as well as outdoor enthusiasts across New York State."
The Flume Trail System includes approximately eight miles of trails for four-season recreational activities, including mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The trails meet the specifications of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and include are rated as easy, moderate and hard. The system includes a trail along the West Branch of the Ausable River and a trail to Flume Knob for hiking only.
Most of the trails lie within the Wilmington Wild Forest unit of the forest preserve. However, approximately two miles of trail are located on the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area, which the Olympic Regional Development Authority operates.
Advocacy for Local Facilities
The Town of Wilmington strongly advocated for mountain bike trails during DEC's development of the management plan for the Wilmington Wild Forest. The plan also proposes a seven-mile, multi-use trail system to include mountain biking in the Beaver Brook Tract. The Wilmington Mountain Peddlers have volunteered countless hours to construct and maintain the trails and will continue to maintain the Flume Trail System under DEC's Adopt-A-Natural-Resource Program.
The Whiteface Mountain Ski Area has allowed some of their trails, such as a scenic one along the West Branch of the Ausable River, to be included in the Flume Trail network, which the public may use for free. Mountain bikers can pay a fee to access the ski area's other 25 trails and the gondola to the top of Little Whiteface. A proposed hiking trail to Bear Den Cliffs will be constructed in the future on Whiteface Mountain Ski Area land and will be open to the public as part of the Flume Trail System.
The Flume Trail System can be accessed from trailhead on Route 86, approximately 2 miles west of the hamlet of Wilmington or from the Kid's Campus parking lot at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area.
Pictured from the left at the ribbon cutting ceremony: Bert Yost of the Wilmington Mountain Peddlers; Rob Daley, DEC Senior Forester; Betsy Lowe, DEC Regional Director; Randy Preston, Town of Wilmington Supervisor; Bruce McCulley, Assistant Manger of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Area; and Matt McNamara, Trails Coordinator for the Adirondack Mountain Club
