New mountain bike trails are unveiled at Blue Marsh Lake
New mountain bike trails are unveiled at Blue Marsh Lake, where riders can work on their technique
Two dirt mountain bike trails that snake around a wooded halfacre patch near the Stilling Basin parking lot are the latest sign of an ongoing project to improve the trails of Blue Marsh Recreational Area in Bern Township.
The trails are a new skills area. As part of larger trail project, it has the potential to increase outdoor tourism to the area, said those involved.
There’s one path for mountain bikers to hone their skills and another for would-be bikers to learn the ropes.
The bumps, curves, hills and jumps were created by DirtSculpt this summer on the woodland floor out of 18 to 19 dump truck loads of dirt. The clay-based dirt was compacted to form hills and curves to challenge riders. They will withstand water runoff while protecting the root structures of the pine trees.
There is nothing like it in the region, said Bob McClennan of Berks Area Mountain Bike Association, which worked with Blue Marsh’s owner, the Army Corps of Engineers, to create the bike skills area.
What makes the Blue Marsh skills area unique is that it is wooded, which gives bikers an experience more similar to riding on trails. Most pump tracks are created in open areas. There are spots on the outside and in the center of the area for parents and others to watch or coach riders.
By spring there will be signs with QR codes that will take savvy learners to demonstration videos. It will be the first track trail in Pennsylvania connected with Kids in Parks (https://www. kidsinparks.com) through which riders can register their rides and earn prizes.
In early October about 25 volunteers put some final touches on the area, installing fences and planting grass. Already riders are using the track. More than 60 riders came on a recent weekend, according to Brianna Treichler, Blue Marsh park ranger.
With trail improvements, there have even been bikers trekking out to Blue Marsh from Reading.
“It’s been overwhelming with the amount of support we’re getting from the community,” Treichler said.
Treichler said including Army Corps of Engineers staff labor, BAMBA volunteer time/labor, equipment operations, materials and trail builder costs, the project totaled around $40,000.
The track is a special part of a master plan to upgrade trails at Blue Marsh that BAMBA is pursuing, subject to Army Corps approvals.
The focus is on connecting trails as well as improving them. This summer a new trail was added at the Stilling Basin. Stones were embedded in portions to help prevent erosion as runoff rain water goes across the trail instead of along it.
Blue Marsh’s 6,200 acres of land have more than 36 miles of trails and 1,148 acres of water. With picnic areas, a small beach and boat launches, the lake attracts outdoor enthusiasts from well outside Berks County. The multi-use loop trail encircles the lake and is recognized as a National Recreation Trail. The Blue Marsh Lake Trail is one of the prominent ride areas that make up the Greater Reading Area Ride Center, recognized by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, according to BAMBA.
In addition to Blue Marsh, BAMBA supports biking on over 125 miles of trails in five preserves, including more than 80 on Neversink Mountain and Mount Penn, the most popular areas with out-of-town bikers. The International Mountain Bicycling Association has given greater Reading its bronze rating as a ride center. It includes trails at French Creek State Park.
According to BAMBA’s executive summary of the project, 40 years of weather and wear has taken its toll on the trail system. The restoration effort offers an opportunity to incorporate modern riding experiences as well as construction techniques.
The original trails had lengthy loops, incorporating abandoned roads, following the terrain up steep climbs and fall lines and through ground water pooling areas. Erosion on the steep climbs, increased wet muddy segments and lack of moderate loops made the system challenging for hikers and bikers.
“The 30-mile loop trail that encircles the lake is a major commitment in both time and endurance for even the expert users,” BAMBA wrote. “Recreational preferences have evolved with the increased popularity of mountain biking and hiking. Trail systems need to accommodate all skill levels and today’s leisure time limitations.”
McClennan said BAMBA is in the planning stages for Phase 2 of the restoration project at the lower Stilling Basin. BAMBA has raised money for it, and the Army Corps needs to check on some environmental issues. Then the design will be finalized and building will begin.
The multi-year master plan was estimated to take until 2025 to be completed and cost an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million. It is dependent on fundraising and subject to change.
Blue Marsh Lake has a very high potential to create a regional trails destination and an amazing community trail system. Meeting these goals rests on the ability to implement high-quality trails, BAMBA wrote in the master plan.
“The project has the potential to be an enormous success and be a flagship for modern trail system development and management,” BAMBA’s master plan said. “The continued partnership of organizations like BAMBA and the Army Corps of Engineers will help drive this project and create a trail system that is enjoyable for all visitors.”