Danskin Trail System may open late May or June!
Forest Service to reopen Danskin trails later this spring
BATRC file photo: Deep holes on Danskin trails
According to The Idaho Statesman, Saturday, April 4, 2015, “Forest Service announced Friday it is planning to reopen all trails for motorized use in the Danskin Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area later in the spring. The popular trail network is about 29 miles east of Boise and includes nearly 160 miles of trails for motorcycle and ATV riders.
The area had been closed since the Pony Complex fires in 2013, which burned infrastructure such as bridges, culverts and signs. Due to the burn and loss of vegetation, erosion of trails also increased, which complicated cleanup of the trails.
Before the Pony Fire, Danskin trails were seasonally closed from Jan. 1 through April 10, depending on spring weather conditions. Several projects must be completed before the trails can be reopened, which will likely take until late May or early June, according to Dave Olson, public affairs officer for the Boise National Forest. Projects include more trail maintenance, bridge reconstruction, replacing signs and repair fences.
BATRC file photo: Danskin bridge burned 2013
“I am very pleased to finally get to the point where we can safely open the area knowing how popular the site is for recreation use,” said Stephaney Church, Mountain Home District Ranger. “A lot of work has been done by district staff, volunteers, and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation to repair the damages created by the fires in 2013 and storm events last fall.”
Church added the importance of all riders to exercise responsibility and care when riding through the area once it’s open, being sure to stay on the designated trails.
Maps for the OHV Area identifying all trails designated for motorcycle and ATV use are available at Forest Service offices and from several OHV dealers in Boise and Mountain Home. Further information is available by calling the Mountain Home Ranger District office at 587-7961″