Boulder Creek in Marble Falls

[laurathebum]

http://www.bouldercreekministries.org./

This is a brand new park. They have been building Motorcycle trails for a few months now....and need to get some fullsize folks out to build trails...and get our opinion.

It's beautiful....check it out

[FireMalt]

The Marble Falls area is incredible!

[TexasXR650L]

http://www.bouldercreekministries.org./

This is a brand new park. They have been building Motorcycle trails for a few months now....and need to get some fullsize folks out to build trails...and get our opinion.

It's beautiful....check it out
Where exactly? I ride out there alot.

[gotdurt]

I think I've heard about this place, or at least the potential development of it; didn't realize it was already open.

After looking at the website, it looks like a great place to ride (no mention of mileage or difficulty levels though), but the fees are just too steep.

[kingham]

Went out there last weekend.

very easy to get to from marble falls. from the corner of hwy 71 to 1435 in marble falls. it's 7 miles west of the intersection on the left hand side. big sign.

Big property with tons of potential. As of now. the dirt bike riders of San Antonio and Austin MotoSports Association have been cutting triails.

The DBSA trail is awesome. Tons of elevation changes as snakes across the main trail. a little hard to find the the trail as they are not burned in yet by a bunch of riders. the terrain is a mix of rocky ledges and shale trails to loam dirt. I had a sand tire on my bike and it held up well with no chunking. I would recommend a medium terrain tire would work best at this property.

I would think you need to be a novice rider to be able to do all the trail. I believe beginner riders can do it but will have trouble in a few places. As an expert rider, I find the trails really fun. some of the off camber up hills will catch you out if your not paying attention.

The AMSA trail is a little easier than the DBSA trail but not by much. It has a lot of elevation but not as technical. the trail looks to be burnt in a little better. Super fun.

I would say there is only about 10% used up of the potential. They have a 750 acer area that hasn't even been touched yet.

Hans the trail master/property manager out there is very enthusiastic about getting the trails up and going.

After riding most of the lease properties around central texas, I can say with no dought, This place is awesome and will only get better with time and a lot of work by it's lease members.

I'll be out there again on Sunday if anyone wants to join us

[scottr]

Been riding there for a couple of months. It progresses sloooooooooowly. didn't go for a couple weeks. Lots of new signs however many are on little sticks with just two staples so the wind folds em over and you can't read them.
:doh:

The single track situation is marginal. Poor markings. Little explanation of the difficulty level of tracks. Tracks hard to follow at points and plain ole go away in places and you have to wonder around and maybe find the track again ... maybe not. Some substantial sections of existing tracks recently plowed up by the land owner removing cedar. No observable maintenance on the existing trails. Nobody even bothers to kick baby head rocks off the path. Lots of branches need to be cut back as really getting slapped in the face on blind turns does not ad to the riding experience to my way of thinking.

I hit one ledge with a crevice in it today that nearly locked my front tire. The 1 ft wide track lead right into the crack. You get half a second, as this comes up outa nowhere, to try and get your bike up out of the rut and make the ledge to the side of the crack. There's plenty of space to miss the crack but seems like few do. This is the sort of poor maintenance I speak of. All it would require is ten minutes with a pick and or shovel and some red paint on the tire grabbing crevice. I guess I'll go out there and fix it next time out.

I had to laugh at one point as right in the middle of some 1st gear twisties the track goes between two little bitty oak trees and you have to stop and put one bar at a time through the gap while turning your wheel. I suppose they think this is funny. It will be real funny when someone gets really hurt on that little joke.

Evidently the park owners have left the single track to a couple of clubs AMSA and DBSA. I commend those guys for what they have done. But if the park owner wants to attract more bikes they need to get out there and do some work. A LOT of work.

As it is now the place is an ATV park with some MC potential ... that is not moving along. Personally I will lose interest real quick if things don't change.

:thumbd:

[gotdurt]

I finally rode there about a month ago, and while I still feel that the fees are steep, the place is fun. I didn't get to ride all of the singletrack due to a technical, but I rode most of it, and a friend of mine rode all of it (that was open at that point). I think he figured about 30 miles of riding that day was on singletrack. We were riding big bikes (DR650 and KLR650), and while some of it was somewhat challenging, nothing stood out as being particularly dangerous, as long as you know your limits and pay attention.

For those that want to see some video of some of the singletrack, I shot some helmet cam video with Rusty (Woodbutcher). This is from an AMSA loop, and you'll see some trees in the 3rd video that are probably the ones scottr spoke of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQveWlLS1c8
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8946996853006932680
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov24fk4248s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFRucCeo6Kk

The differences in trail design bewteen AMSA and DBSA are pretty obvious. AMSA seems to like making them tight and unpredictable, while DBSA has a little more rhythm and flow. I enjoy them both for different reasons.

[STJim]

I had to laugh at one point as right in the middle of some 1st gear twisties the track goes between two little bitty oak trees and you have to stop and put one bar at a time through the gap while turning your wheel. I suppose they think this is funny. It will be real funny when someone gets really hurt on that little joke.



:

Often people cutting single track leave trees as you mention, not as a joke but to keep the 4 wheelers out.
It is trail preservation in the sense that the 4 wheeler tracks damage the single track.
If you don't understand go ride a well worn 4 wheeler trail and pay attention to the track placement in relation to the trees, especially in the corners.

btw: thanks for the trail update. I have not made it out to Boulder Creek yet and will keep your comments in mind.

Jim

[scottr]

Often people cutting single track leave trees as you mention, not as a joke but to keep the 4 wheelers out.
It is trail preservation in the sense that the 4 wheeler tracks damage the single track.
If you don't understand go ride a well worn 4 wheeler trail and pay attention to the track placement in relation to the trees, especially in the corners.

btw: thanks for the trail update. I have not made it out to Boulder Creek yet and will keep your comments in mind.

Jim

I thought of that but believe me. No 4 wheeler could get down any of these trails. Maybe they were proscribed by the owner from cutting any oaks and the trail just had to go where it lay.

I caution anyone that goes out there. DO NOT suppose just because there is a track there ... that it's actually passable by less than expert riders. I found one spot today ... clearly marked with orange cards and ribbon that dropped into a hole in the creek and I didn't see any way out. But then I didn't get off and actually climb down to find out. I DID notice there was almost no tire track to speak of leading into it. I guess most have figured out its a no go. Beware the beginner and new to Boulder Creek.
:eek2:

[kingham]

Been riding there for a couple of months. It progresses sloooooooooowly. didn't go for a couple weeks. Lots of new signs however many are on little sticks with just two staples so the wind folds em over and you can't read them.
:doh:

The single track situation is marginal. Poor markings. Little explanation of the difficulty level of tracks. Tracks hard to follow at points and plain ole go away in places and you have to wonder around and maybe find the track again ... maybe not. Some substantial sections of existing tracks recently plowed up by the land owner removing cedar. No observable maintenance on the existing trails. Nobody even bothers to kick baby head rocks off the path. Lots of branches need to be cut back as really getting slapped in the face on blind turns does not ad to the riding experience to my way of thinking.

I hit one ledge with a crevice in it today that nearly locked my front tire. The 1 ft wide track lead right into the crack. You get half a second, as this comes up outa nowhere, to try and get your bike up out of the rut and make the ledge to the side of the crack. There's plenty of space to miss the crack but seems like few do. This is the sort of poor maintenance I speak of. All it would require is ten minutes with a pick and or shovel and some red paint on the tire grabbing crevice. I guess I'll go out there and fix it next time out.

I had to laugh at one point as right in the middle of some 1st gear twisties the track goes between two little bitty oak trees and you have to stop and put one bar at a time through the gap while turning your wheel. I suppose they think this is funny. It will be real funny when someone gets really hurt on that little joke.

Evidently the park owners have left the single track to a couple of clubs AMSA and DBSA. I commend those guys for what they have done. But if the park owner wants to attract more bikes they need to get out there and do some work. A LOT of work.

As it is now the place is an ATV park with some MC potential ... that is not moving along. Personally I will lose interest real quick if things don't change.

:thumbd:


We all know that it's much easier to just type out out a complaint on this forum than actually do something. Try hiking a mile of trail with a chainsaw, loppers and trail markings and you'll see these riding areas don't come easy. there is a lot of work involved to cut trail, mark trail and maintain. Let me know what your action plan is to help out in the park besides ***** on the forum about how bad it is.

A good start is to join the AMSA or DBSA or better yet talk to the owner about volenteering some time to make the trails better.

these trails aren't ment to be perfectly groomed trails for the beginner. Many of the seasoned/expert riders like the challenges of tight technical trails. It's because perfectly groomed trails get boring.

I don't find the trails hard at all and welcome the tight trees, ruts and holes as part of a fun and challenging trail.

[gotdurt]

these trails aren't ment to be perfectly groomed trails for the beginner. Many of the seasoned/expert riders like the challenges of tight technical trails. It's because perfectly groomed trails get boring.

I don't find the trails hard at all and welcome the tight trees, ruts and holes as part of a fun and challenging trail.

This is very true. I personally like them the way they are, and those challenges are what makes them fun.

However, I can agree that they need to be better marked. Some of the trails I rode would be suitable for beginners, but I can see how it would be easy for a beginner to find themselves on the wrong trail. That said, nothing I rode was obnoxiously hard (Emma Long City Park is hard), and I was on a 350lb DS. There are some challenges, but I don't want to scare intermediate riders from riding there; even if you don't make a challenge the first try, you'll get through.

Scott, I wouldn't go messing with the existing trails since many like them that way. Kingham's right; provide some input for new trails or suggestions on marking the existing ones by joining one of the clubs or bringing it up with the owner. In the mean time, there are supposedly 80 miles of trails, including jeep roads and double track; there has to be something you'd enjoy...

[scottr]

We all know that it's much easier to just type out out a complaint on this forum than actually do something. Try hiking a mile of trail with a chainsaw, loppers and trail markings and you'll see these riding areas don't come easy. there is a lot of work involved to cut trail, mark trail and maintain. Let me know what your action plan is to help out in the park besides ***** on the forum about how bad it is.

A good start is to join the AMSA or DBSA or better yet talk to the owner about volenteering some time to make the trails better.

these trails aren't ment to be perfectly groomed trails for the beginner. Many of the seasoned/expert riders like the challenges of tight technical trails. It's because perfectly groomed trails get boring.

I don't find the trails hard at all and welcome the tight trees, ruts and holes as part of a fun and challenging trail.


When you a s s u m e you make an *** out of U & me.

I have volunteered. I have volunteered heavy equipment and unlimited time. Nobody calls.

I'm not advocating groomed trails. Just reasonable and safe upkeep.

I'm also not criticizing the clubs. Quite the opposite.

I AM faulting the owners of the facility. They want a high price from us. They have their hand in my pocket and I want a better deal. As it now is they seem to be doing little to make any improvement on the trails. OK let the clubs do the initial work but then at least get out there once a week and check the markings and hazards.

THIS IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ASK
:headbang:

[scottr]

This is very true. I personally like them the way they are, and those challenges are what makes them fun.

However, I can agree that they need to be better marked. Some of the trails I rode would be suitable for beginners, but I can see how it would be easy for a beginner to find themselves on the wrong trail. That said, nothing I rode was obnoxiously hard (Emma Long City Park is hard), and I was on a 350lb DS. There are some challenges, but I don't want to scare intermediate riders from riding there; even if you don't make a challenge the first try, you'll get through.

Scott, I wouldn't go messing with the existing trails since many like them that way. Kingham's right; provide some input for new trails or suggestions on marking the existing ones by joining one of the clubs or bringing it up with the owner. In the mean time, there are supposedly 80 miles of trails, including jeep roads and double track; there has to be something you'd enjoy...


I didn't say it was all bad. I HAVE spoken with the owner. Two months ago. On more than one occasion. Personally I'm bored with all the two track out there and every time I try the single track I get turned around with poor markings or ZERO markings and I get a bit tired of stopping and removing football sized rocks from one foot wide trails.

Since my personal communications with the owner had no effect I decided to put it here. And I think others deserve the report.

I admit I have a problem with companies and service providers that do not do what they should be doing. Either selling you stuff that does not hold up or just plain lying about the product/service. If Boulder Creek is satisfied with just the ATV clientele then so be it.

[SuzukiQ]

Well, let's see. I'm part of the volunteer DBSA crew that layed in our original 9 miles of trail. Along the way, we had to redo part of it because the land owner plowed it under. We were getting ready to add more loops off of the last 2 miles of our trail and were informed a couple of weeks ago that the land owner had been at it again and plowed more of our completed trail under (this after being assured that there would be no more plowing and we were safe to proceed). Quite frankly we're a bit burned out with having our work destroyed and having to redo it. I've (and the other 3 of us) put in better than 3 months worth of Sundays up there working trail and swinging a chainsaw. So we're in the process of regrouping and working with the Boulder Creek folks to try and get some help to work and maintain trail. Eventually we'll be straightening out the mess the land owner has made of our trail system. And yes, there are plans to put better markings on the trails eventually.

Oh, and the tight trees was my doing and it was to keep ATVs off the motorcycle trail. We actually had someone ride by us on an ATV as we were swinging chainsaws one day. Some of those ATV folks can ride places you wouldn't think they could.

Finally, I'm old enough to know that you can't please everybody no matter what you do. Someone will always have a gripe. :zen:

[scottr]

Well, let's see. I'm part of the volunteer DBSA crew that layed in our original 9 miles of trail. Along the way, we had to redo part of it because the land owner plowed it under. We were getting ready to add more loops off of the last 2 miles of our trail and were informed a couple of weeks ago that the land owner had been at it again and plowed more of our completed trail under (this after being assured that there would be no more plowing and we were safe to proceed). Quite frankly we're a bit burned out with having our work destroyed and having to redo it. I've (and the other 3 of us) put in better than 3 months worth of Sundays up there working trail and swinging a chainsaw. So we're in the process of regrouping and working with the Boulder Creek folks to try and get some help to work and maintain trail. Eventually we'll be straightening out the mess the land owner has made of our trail system. And yes, there are plans to put better markings on the trails eventually.

Oh, and the tight trees was my doing and it was to keep ATVs off the motorcycle trail. We actually had someone ride by us on an ATV as we were swinging chainsaws one day. Some of those ATV folks can ride places you wouldn't think they could.

Finally, I'm old enough to know that you can't please everybody no matter what you do. Someone will always have a gripe. :zen:


Thanks for your input. Everybody and me included appreciates what you guys and the other club have done. Not in any of my whinging here have I criticized the clubs or their efforts. My problem is with the owner. He is marketing the place to dirt bike riders and seemingly doing little to provide for us. Letting you guys do all the work and seemingly not even coordinating with the land owner is not cutting it.

As to the trees ... ok. I can deal with that. However signage stating MC trails are strictly for MC only would be better. Also they should have someone out there on a bike every day they are open enforcing rules. The muffler DB restrictions are being violated every time I'm out there. That alone will kill the place as there are close-by homes.

[disbanded]

I rode all of the single track out there, and what you say about the areas that have been cleared is true. There aren't many markings and it is a little hard to find your way around. Luckily I was with somebody who knew the area and we were able to get back to the trail pretty quickly. It sounds like they keep plowing it, so I'm sure it will take some time to get that re-marked again. This is a very minor thing to have to deal with, but it will be nice to have it marked again.

I remember making the switch from one trail to the next (AMSA, DBSA). I don't know which trail it was, but I immediately liked it because it was much more tight and a lot more difficult. And it was more like a real enduro, right down to having to squeeze the handlebars of my giant KLR through trees that were so very tight. These are real trails and they are tons of fun, and thankfully they put these tight sections in there to keep those darn 4 wheelers out. I was exhausted after doing both loops and i can't wait to get out there again. And I can't wait to see what they add next.

This place has some great potential.

[stingray]

I just finished up a three day camping trip out at Boulder Creek this last weekend and had a blast. After reading this post I just want to make sure that nobody is scared away from this place thinking it's any more dangerous than any of the other places that we have to ride around here. Go check it out, I can almost guarantee that you will love it. I did and so did my family and friends. I met and talked with a lot of people out there and nobody was negative about the place at all. I don't know of a place to ride around here that couldn't stand to gain from a few improvements, BC included. I'll be going back to see in the near future and am quit sure I'll have a great time once again.

As with any place, know your limits and ride within them.

[scottr]

DO NOT let my criticisms keep any of you from patronizing Boulder Creek.

DO help get things done out there.

There's room out there for miles and miles and miles of good trails. MC trails. They don't need any more two-track. I'm far from an expert rider and I'm too old to ever become one but I have my own trails and even a small MX area and I practice a lot. I can take just about anything short of advanced expert track. I might not do it very fast but I can keep the bike upright and get through it.

But I really really need to know just WHAT a track is before I take off into the bush where there's not even a place to turn around. There is a good reason ski areas have a very specific rating system of diamonds posted on every run. Folks need to know just what they're getting into before they point their skis down hill. Its even more critical when pointing a 300 pound two wheel motorized conveyance UP hill.

I know that folks have GPS tracks of all the single track out there. How hard would it be to put the tracks on the hand out map? How hard would it be to designate the difficulty level through an agreed upon, set, system?

[disbanded]

That would be a first.

[gotdurt]

I know that folks have GPS tracks of all the single track out there. How hard would it be to put the tracks on the hand out map? How hard would it be to designate the difficulty level through an agreed upon, set, system?

They have a map that has the single track trails on it (it's what Rusty and I were going by), but the ratings were nil and it was hard to differentiate between trail types. That definitely needs work. What also needs work is the marking system; a little ribbon is easily missed and doesn't cut it. They need a sign with a rating number on it, or bold colors that we colorblind folk won't have a problem with :argh:

[VFRJohn]

Expensive?

Let's see.... $25 for 3600 acres... that's about 0.7 cents per acre. That's probably less than the Indians charged the first settlers!

(sorry - couldn't resist) ;)

[gotdurt]

Joking aside, the real issue for me isn't so much the rider entry fee (which is still steep, but manageable on occasions, although it will keep me from being a regular), but the $15 entry fee for non-riders that might want to come out and hang-out while I ride... typically that's $0-5 at other parks. $55 (in my case) for a family day at the park just isn't worth it, especially when other parks are so much cheaper. Double that and add $10 per night/person, and camping is out of the question!

[X1Glider]

So, where is the place and how much per rider?

[gotdurt]

So, where is the place and how much per rider?
A few miles east of Marble Falls on 1431. $25/day +$10 at first sign-up for insurance (one year). $10/night for camping.

Website:
http://www.bouldercreekministries.org/offroad.html

[je2000]

So how's this place doing?

I noticed that their 750 (whatever that is) is closed for "environmental study"

Interesting. I liked Cross Creek trails and I even took my KLX on the track there. I've yet to try Del Valle even though that's about a 10 minute ride from me. They're known more for the track than trails.

[kingham]

the 750 doesn't really effect the bike trails as they are on the other 2900+/-acers.

I rode out there a few weeks ago and can say it's still worth the money to go out there and ride.

trails are still good but could be marked better.


when your looking at the cost it's still not bad.. heck.. going to the movies cost $10 a person, eating at fast food for a family is over 25 bucks.. it freakin cost me over $100 to fill up my truck.. so why should they give away the use of their land..... at $25 a rider and $15 a "spectator" a day definately doesn't pay for the up keep or the taxes on the property... so I still don't know what your point is...

the fact is that there is no public land in texas to ride on for free ( we all need the $8 steekers) should tell you that we have to pay to play no matter what...

were lucky were not paying $50 a day to ride..

[je2000]

the 750 doesn't really effect the bike trails as they are on the other 2900+/-acers.

I rode out there a few weeks ago and can say it's still worth the money to go out there and ride.

trails are still good but could be marked better.


when your looking at the cost it's still not bad.. heck.. going to the movies cost $10 a person, eating at fast food for a family is over 25 bucks.. it freakin cost me over $100 to fill up my truck.. so why should they give away the use of their land..... at $25 a rider and $15 a "spectator" a day definately doesn't pay for the up keep or the taxes on the property... so I still don't know what your point is...

the fact is that there is no public land in texas to ride on for free ( we all need the $8 steekers) should tell you that we have to pay to play no matter what...

were lucky were not paying $50 a day to ride..

Cool, thanks. I'll definitely have to check it out. $20 at the door is OK with me. Cross Creek charges $10 on weekdays, but the size is nowhere near the same. Good deal to me on both!

[jollyroger75243]

Rode there in March of 2009. I think the name is changed/changing to Hidden Falls. Great ride, great camping spots, nice host. The guest fee is odd, but the rider/camp fee seems reasonable. The trail markers are indeed slight. I did find myself going the wrong way a couple of times. There is plenty of single track and ATV/Jeep trails. I will do it again soon, despite the commute.

[kingham]

Jeez.. you get the award for driving the farthest to ride.
glad you like it...


Rode there in March of 2009. I think the name is changed/changing to Hidden Falls. Great ride, great camping spots, nice host. The guest fee is odd, but the rider/camp fee seems reasonable. The trail markers are indeed slight. I did find myself going the wrong way a couple of times. There is plenty of single track and ATV/Jeep trails. I will do it again soon, despite the commute.

[jollyroger75243]

My ride partners are in DFW area....short of new friends (considering it!), what can I do?!

Jeez.. you get the award for driving the farthest to ride.
glad you like it...