It ended with a celebration to mark the completion of a scenic four-mile mountain bike trail, but it started as a dream.

Along the way, Mike Vaught often found himself entangled in bureaucratic red tape and found that some volunteers with caller ID stopped answering the phone.  But Saturday morning Mr. Vaught found the finish line after working for six years to make his dream a reality.

The result is nothing short of stunning.  This trail will carry mountain bikers, joggers and walkers through some of the most pristine forest in North Texas. 

Thirty-six bridges had to be installed, ranging from six feet in length to a 125-foot bridge.  Two of the bridges are covered.

Lake Fannin Mountain Bike Trail officially opened Saturday, May 16 with a ribbon cutting.

"What you have done here is just remarkable," stated Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd.

"This wouldn't have happened without Tom Palmer," Vaught notes, although he is also quick to credit Jim Crook.  Mr. Palmer is the local Forest Service Ranger and Mr. Crook is the District Ranger. 

Mike Vaught

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also stepped up to the plate and helped bring this project to fruition by issuing a $30,000 grant.

"Out of all the projects I'm involved in, this is easily the best bang for the buck," remarked TPWD's Andy Goldbloom.

Access to the trailhead near the historic Lake Fannin Lodge is available every weekend and at other times when the gate is open, but outdoor enthusiasts can actually use the trail seven days a week by turning left at the boat ramp sign and accessing the trail there.  A sign clearly marks the access point.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests enjoyed refreshments and were entertained by an alternative rock band, False Facade, from Tom Bean High School.

This bridge was constructed in 2007 by Mr. Vaught's Bonham High School physics class.

Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd

U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Jim Crook

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department representative Andy Goldbloom

Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Jones photographs the occasion.

Ivan Burton gives guests a ride down to the trail for the ribbon cutting

District Judge Lauri Blake and Lanny Joe Burnett

False Facade

One of the historic cabins built by Rural Resettlement Administration workers in the 1930s at Lake Fannin.

As Yogi Berra used to say, "When you come to the fork in the road, take it." A left turn here will access the trail seven days a week. Veer to the right during weekends to cross the dam at Lake Fannin and access the trailhead.