Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Looking for Volunteers to Adopt a Trail Section

 Happy Spring / Early Summer everyone!   

Our local trail is looking for a few folks to volunteer to adopt a section of the trail.  All you need to commit to is a section, from X to X connector.  The work is simply weed-eating and pruning a section.  If interested, simply email me at shutesmtb@gmail.com

Currently I have gotten committals for 3 sections - A to B, L to M, and G to H

Start to A

A to B - by Scott A

B to D

D to E

E to F

F to G

G to H - by S. Capps

H to J

J to L

L to M - by Ryan S.

M to end of O

I'll update as the list fills up - Thanks in advance!!!

(Photo of Eris and my mistress)




Monday, May 18, 2015

8.1 Miles of Single Track and an Updated Map

The final section of trail from N to O has been completed.  The updated map is attached.  Kudos to Bill, Jeffrey, and Eric for laying this out and clearing it.  I think a few others helped some too.  We now officially have 8.1 miles of single track plus the connectors.


Saturday, June 28, 2014

It's been a while!!!

Trail is currently in great shape.  The kiosks have been updated.  Big thanks to all that have been maintaining the trail - Especially Jeffrey and his dad Bill!  In addition, check out the new Shutes Branch FB page created by Jeffrey.   Post up photos, rides, and other info.

We are hoping to do a fun event at the trail later this summer or fall - possibly a trail builders reunion.  Lets us know what you think at the FB page.  https://www.facebook.com/ShutesBranchMountainBikeTrail

And lastly, Shutes has an official Bike Trail sign and an address.  The address is now officially listed at Mount Juliet!

131 Shutes Branch Road
 Mt. Juliet, TN 37122


Sunday, May 12, 2013

The time has come for some trail trimming. If you are a regular rider, we need your help. Shutes Branch MTB Trail has been built and maintained by a handful of local riders for the past 5 years. The COE has provided us a great place to ride and enjoy the woods, but all building and maintenance is by volunteers only. This is Mt. Juliet / Old Hickory’s only mountain bike trail and the newest in Middle Tennessee. Help us keep it awesome by donating some time and effort.


We primarily need weedeating to trim the trails. The trimming needs to be 6 to 8 ft wide due to the height of many of the weeds that call Shutes home. Also, weedeaters work great on the newer growth that become face-slappers. Make sure to trim it to the ground and around all rocks. This will make the effort last longer. A light trimming will only last a few weeks.

If you don’t have a weedeater, pruners and loppers work great too for the face slappers. Just make sure to trim the branches so they don’t become little spears along the sides of the trail.

Please wear eye and hearing protection when weedeating or pruning. I use a forester’s helmet w/ screen face shield and safety glasses when trimming.

For those of you new to Shutes, the Jungle Weed will grow about 6 to 12 per week in the middle spring period. And, those pretty little white folwers become the world’s worst stick-tights that are great at ruining socks and gloves. But, if these plants are weedeated to the ground early enough, they pretty much give up. Most sections only need trimming once per year or less. Some sections will need trimming 2x per year, or more. Luckily, the COE will be spraying the beginner trail this month with herbicide. These sections would need to be mowed about 5 times.

Shoot me an e-mail at shutesmtb@gmail .com if you want to help volunteer!
AND - looks for the new connector signs.  BSA Troop 150 out of Mt Juliet just completed another Eagle project at Shutes.  The signs look great and will help folks find their way around the trails.