Howler Bike Park

SWAYZE TRAIN:

MTF joined the project in May of 2022 to complete a key piece of the puzzle for this incredible bike park—a blue, flowy jump trail designed to appeal to a wide range of rider abilities. The goal was to create a trail with jumps and features that even beginner riders could safely approach, gradually building their skills with low-consequence features.

Starting at the top, the trail is predictable and smooth, featuring forgiving rollers and tabletop jumps, complemented by some of the park's largest berms. As riders progress toward the bottom, the trail becomes more challenging to build, with natural springs crossing the path and bedrock just beneath the surface, making for some tough obstacles. Despite these challenges, the dynamic MTF team rose to the occasion, overcoming the difficulties posed by the landscape and seamlessly integrating the trail into its natural surroundings. In just over 30 days, MTF designed, flagged, and built this trail, adding a fun, flowy option for riders of all levels to enjoy.

THE WIZARD

In January 2023, MTF was invited back to collaborate with the park on an ambitious vision to create a **double-black diamond trail**—a true test of skill and nerve for advanced riders. The goal was to design a trail that combined raw, natural terrain with modern, new-school freestyle elements, pushing the limits of what riders could handle.

Working closely with the park's team, we scouted some of the park’s most demanding, gnarly terrain. This challenge was made even more exciting through our partnership with Seth from **Backyard Trails**, who brought his expertise in incorporating mind-bending wooden features. These features weren’t just designed for freestyle; they were strategically placed to navigate the rugged landscape while avoiding the flowing springs hidden beneath the surface. The trail's features needed to blend into the tough terrain, offering a serious challenge, but also a new and unique style of riding.

HIPPIE COWBOY

As we worked on **The Wizard**, we also turned our attention to **Hippie Cowboy**—a popular trail in need of some updates. MTF’s crew rebuilt and revamped several key features, making them more durable and predictable, while enhancing the flow and overall experience. These improvements not only made the trail more enjoyable for riders, but also addressed sustainability issues that had arisen from storms, ensuring that **Hippie Cowboy** would be a long-lasting part of the park's trail network.

HIKING TRAIL

But our work didn’t stop there. In addition to developing advanced trails, MTF also created a **new hiking trail** to allow non-riders to explore the park’s stunning landscapes. This new trail provides a scenic route for visitors to experience the park’s beauty, with some vantage points offering views of riders hitting **The Wizard's** biggest jumps.

SKILLS PARK

And for those just starting out, MTF took on the design of a **skills park** in the base area. This park is tailored for beginner to intermediate riders, offering a safe, controlled environment to learn and practice basic features before stepping onto the more challenging trails. It provides a vital space for newcomers to get a feel for what the park has to offer, building confidence and skill in a fun, approachable setting.

Through these projects, MTF not only helped expand the park’s trail network but also ensured that riders of all levels could find something challenging, rewarding, and exciting. The collaboration with the park, along with the innovative features from **Backyard Trails**, made **The Wizard** a landmark addition to the park—an experience that riders will return to time and time again.