Marine Corps Base Quantico -- Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Branch has been working diligently over the last few months to improve the mainside trail network. Volunteers and staff have added 144 new trail signs throughout the network at nearly all the intersections, making it easier for users to find their way. Their latest improvement is an updated trail map and corresponding brochure that they are putting out at all the trailhead kiosks.
Geographic Information Systems technician Stefany Grieco did the bulk of the work updating the map, and on Friday she and Maj. Peter Baker, deputy director of NREA, installed the new maps at the kiosks. “The primary differences in the new map are the inclusion of the improved Geiger Ridge trail system and more accurate trail representations,” Grieco said.
Baker said when he started his job two years ago, “the Geiger Ridge trails were overgrown and seldom used.” However, according to Baker, retired Col. Robert Fawcett, the chief academic officer for Expeditionary Warfare School, and Maj. Brandon Turner, the EWS athletics director, had plans to start using the trails with the students, and with Baker’s assistance, they cleared and reestablished the pathways this past fall and winter.
Previously, the Geiger Ridge trails were not marked or included on the trail network map, but 43 trail signs have been added in the area, and “There were 6.5 miles of trail added to the map,” Baker said.
As depicted on the map, there are four access points to the Geiger Ridge trail system. There is one at the bottom of Geiger Road, just before the hill to Geiger Hall; one behind Geiger Hall; one behind the exercise station on the north side of Geiger Road; and one beside the water tower at the top of Geiger Road.
A second difference between the old and new maps is a decrease in the foot-traffic-only area of the main trail system, according to Baker. “The Mt. Laurel loop is no longer foot-traffic-only, largely to allow those who work at the Marsh Center to directly access the trail system on their bikes instead of requiring riders to traverse a portion of Russell Road first.”
Northbank Trail has also opened to bikes, although not to horses in order to keep horses from crossing Russell Road. “Opening Northbank to bikers allows them to commute to work all along the length of Russell Road without actually having to be on Russell Road, especially during the construction,” Baker said.
Finally, the brochure available at the kiosks was also updated to reflect minor changes such as trail closures for bikes and horses after significant rain events. While foot traffic is still allowed on the trails during and after a heavy rainfall, the trails – with the exception of Stadium and Sewer – are closed to bikes and horses for 24 hours due to their greater potential to cause erosion. All trail closures are announced on the Quantico Mountain Bike Club Facebook page.
— Writer: ebaker@quanticosentryonline.com