The trail gently winds through mature trees and thick underbrush. The route undulates up and down following the local terrain. Deep creek crossings lead to dense cedar groves. Occasionally, the trail runs out to a sunny, grassy field before plunging back into the dark forest. At times, it travels along a lake or marshy wetland, over bare rocks and roots. Then it takes a tight turn onto a man-made structure crossing a creek, squeezing through tight trees, or launching over a deep crevice.
If you are a hiker or mountain biker, this may sound exactly like the type of outdoor experience you look for when planning a vacation to an exotic location. But did you know this description applies to two single track trails we have right here in Jefferson City?
The Binder Lake and Frog Hollow Nature trails have been in our area for more than 15 years. Did you know that all along there has been a group dedicated to the proper construction and maintenance of these trails? The Osage Region Trail Association, in cooperation with Jefferson City Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, provide the manpower and expertise to keep these trails in good condition for the many local and regional users that frequent them.
ORTA began as a loose collection of individuals interested in trails. That interest arose from the fact that much of the tread on the newly built Binder Lake trail was not holding up well to environmental conditions. There was desire in the group to learn the techniques for sustainable trail construction.
At the time, the International Mountain Biking Association was sending Trail Care Crews to all parts of the United States for just that purpose. Their weekend classes provided interested groups instruction on the appropriate design of sustainable singletrack trails as well as the correct use of the tools to build and maintain them. The original "members" attended multiple offerings of these schools over the next several years and started to incorporate IMBA's sound practices into correcting problems and building more trail at Binder Lake. Work began on the Frog Hollow Nature Trail (called West Edgewood at the time) soon after.
Eventually, the group chose a name and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) corporation. Over the years, Binder Lake has been expanded to 14 miles and Frog Hollow to four miles. ORTA has also assisted work on many regional trails, such as Honey Run at Lake of the Ozarks, Rock Bridge and Kelley Branch in Columbia, and Pine Ridge in the Mark Twain National Forest west of Ashland, and its work continues to this day.
If you think you might be interested in learning how to build and maintain natural surface single track, or are just interested in keeping up with what's happening with the local trails, join us on the Osage Region Trail Association Facebook page. Be sure to take time to enjoy a stroll or ride at Binder Lake or Frog Hollow. You can find more information on these trails at the jeffersoncitymo.gov.
Cary Maloney currently works at Red Wheel Bike Shop.