Decision for Flagstaff Loop Trail signed

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Peaks and Mormon Lake District Ranger Michael T. Elson signed a decision approving the Flagstaff Loop Trail project. Planning for this project began in 2003 led by the non-profit Flagstaff Biking Organization and fellow founding partners and interested parties, including the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, and the City of Flagstaff.

When complete, the 42-mile trail will circumnavigate Flagstaff, providing access from all areas of the city. The concept is that of an outer wheel surrounding Flagstaff, with the linking trails being the spokes entering the city (the Flagstaff Urban Trail System) and the wheel connecting to communities outside the city limits and to the network of Forest Service trails. The Loop will utilize a variety of Forest Service trails, abandoned roads, the Flagstaff Urban Trail System, State Land department trail easements and the Arizona Trail.

"This is a great opportunity to provide the community with a nearby, accessible trail system that completely embraces the diverse landscape of the Flagstaff area," said Elson. "We're excited to work with our partners and move forward with this project."

The proposal for the 42-mile Loop Trail includes the following activities on Forest Service lands:

• Approximately 9.3 miles of new trail construction, and designating social trails into the Loop Trail system.

• Adding Loop Trail designation to existing system trails and performing deferred maintenance on approximately 11.5 miles.

• The conversion of approximately 2.7 miles of existing system and non-system roads to non-motorized trails as part of the Loop Trail System.

The next step is to work with Flagstaff Biking Organization, Coconino County, and the city of Flagstaff and begin recruiting volunteers and additional partners to implement the project.

For more information about the Flagstaff Loop Trail, visit www.flagstaffbiking.org/loop-trail/ or contact Brian Poturalski with the U.S. Forest Service at (928) 527-8226.