Howick MTB Club - Trails, Routes and local riders

[Griffin]

Howick Trails update :
- Pines clear
- Duza Ngulubhe clear
- Eagle Ridge Run clear

Caution : Tree over the trail close to Face Extention

Please note that the Mr Nicemans entrance (opposite Greendale Spar) remains closed whilst we await feedback from the landowner.

Alternative entrances are Lakeview Rd (via Eagle Ridge Run) or Curries road (via Home Jerome)

Please remember that area around Shafton Rd is closed (see the signage on the trails)

All detail available at http://www.trailforks.com/region/howick-trails-15134/?lat=-29.468972602392192&lon=30.20947574987064&z=15&m=trailforks

 

Compulsory trail fee : R50 pppd available at Pyga concept store, Greendale center (Fainting Goat) and Howick hospital

 

Sappi indemnity compulsory

 

Edited December 18, 2016 by Griffin

[Griffin]

URGENT 

 

Please note that there is a forest fires burning in the Karkloof/Howick area. Several fires have been reported and a berg wind is blowing. Please stay out of the area

 

Trails are closed with immediate effect until further notice

Edited December 23, 2016 by Griffin

[Griffin]

Fires still soldering and flaring up 

 

All trails remain closed

[Stretch]

Saw a pic of it from karkloof... Looked quite serious

[jimmycool]

We are at the karkloof farmers market and the smoke is all around us

[Griffin]

We are at the karkloof farmers market and the smoke is all around us

 Wind storm at about 2am this morning and has dropped a LOT of foliage and fanned the flames.

[jimmycool]

Wind storm at about 2am this morning and has dropped a LOT of foliage and fanned the flames.

Ja it woke me up when my external alarm beam was tripped. That wind was hectic at around 01h30.

[Stretch]

Wind last night was fierce

[Griffin]

Trail Update

 

Trails remain closed as there are some spots still smoldering. Cooler weather and drop in the wind has helped bring things under control but the possibility exists of the fire flaring up again.

 

Please remain off the trails and out of the area. Remember its not just the areas that were burning that are affected but also all access roads as these are used by the fire fighters.

[Griffin]

Just had a look at the trails. Fires have been brought under control but there are still a few wisps of smoke around, especially where there was a lot of undergrowth/old trees.

 

The danger is now from trees that have been burnt/branches that are hanging and trees that have fallen as a result of the fire/winds. Therefore  the trails are still closed. We are hoping to have some sections opened soon.

[Griffin]

Did a recce this morning and the fires have done some proper damage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following trails remain closed until further notice :

 

The Face

Face Extension

Yebo

Duikers Drift

Mikes Lights

Grassy Rd

Nyaga Nyaga

Pascoes Puzzle

 

Mount Up

More Up

Up some more

Up at last

 

Katheryns

Crank Alley

Haibo

 

Entrances to Gums/Pines from Firetower 

 

Sheeps Pass

Puffadder Pass

No Balls

 

Christophers and 2nd half of Middle Rd (from the crossroads onwards)

 

Trail closure boards will be going up in the next few days

Edited December 29, 2016 by Griffin

[Bizkit031]

Yowzer that is sad,Griffin I feel for you guys up there such awesome trails destroyed.

[Griffin]

Yowzer that is sad,Griffin I feel for you guys up there such awesome trails destroyed.

 Shot Bud... it is a bit of a kick in the 'nads

 

Really puts us in a difficult spot with planning for the Howick Classic/Enduro next year. Several trails will have to be closed whilst timber salvaging takes place and that makes areas inaccessible for both day rides and the race

 

On the plus side (glass half full??) the fire  (and inevitable salvaging/harvesting) has exposed some terrain that is just begging for new trails..saw some huge natural rock gardens deep in the forests as well as some gullies that could make for incredible roller coaster type trails. Will deffo keep those in mind for when the areas are accessible again. Think enduro heaven..

Edited December 29, 2016 by Griffin

[Bizkit031]

Shot Bud... it is a bit of a kick in the 'nads

 

Really puts us in a difficult spot with planning for the Howick Classic/Enduro next year. Several trails will have to be closed whilst timber salvaging takes place and that makes areas inaccessible for both day rides and the race

 

On the plus side (glass half full??) the fire  (and inevitable salvaging/harvesting) has exposed some terrain that is just begging for new trails..saw some huge natural rock gardens deep in the forests as well as some gullies that could make for incredible roller coaster type trails. Will deffo keep those in mind for when the areas are accessible again. Think enduro heaven..

Nice,Howick enduro is awesome let's hope it can still happen.

[Guest]

This sucks. I reckon the old trails on the other side of curry s post will be reused again.

[blondeonabike]

I'm just sad.  I try not to think of the hundreds of animals, insects, snakes and  baby birds in their nests that were killed.