Keeping trails open for riders

KLIM hosted it’s second annual event Saturday at Kelly Canyon that focused on raising money for the off-road riding community.

The main idea is to bring awareness to trail maintenance, trail access across the United States and to grow organizations that have the same vision.

The proceeds raised from the event will go toward the Idaho Falls Trail Machine Organization and Sharedtrails.org Blue Ribbon Coalition.

Both organizations work to keep access to public lands.

Shared Trials Executive Director Martin Hackworth said he’s grateful that KLIM put together the event.

“There’s 320 million people and not everyone has the same idea about how public lands should be used. The organization that I represent feels that the public lands should remain public,” Hackworth said.

Idaho Falls Trail Machine Association Director Tim Thomas said the organization works to promote off road riding for everyone.

“We do a lot of trail maintenance on the forest service lands,” Thomas said.

“It’s important for all riders to obey the laws, staying on designated trails so areas don’t become threatened. What we do is promote trail usage for everyone including hikers, bikers, and horseback riders,” Thomas said.

About 250 riders participated in the cowtag ride. Some riders came from across the United States to join in the event. The cost to participate was $85.

Sponsors donated prizes to the event, and prizes were also raffled off.

Last year the event raised more than $18,000 and this year’s goal is $25,000.