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How's the park after the rain?
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How's the park after the rain?
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Topic: How's the park after the rain? (Read 1962 times)
jpearce
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 499
How's the park after the rain?
«
on:
April 18, 2007, 04:03:17 PM »
Anyone been over there (Dave?)? How bad is it? Should we be planning park cleanup work crews before riding this Saturday? We need the park in shape for the RiV on the 28th!
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Lou
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a.k.a. dirtmerchant
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #1 on:
April 18, 2007, 04:05:01 PM »
I'm afraid to look. But I am going in there today and will report back.
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Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1196
Energy is always flowing. Ride it.
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #2 on:
April 18, 2007, 05:07:11 PM »
How bout Sunday for a clean up. I may not be available on Saturday. Work is killing me again.
I will probably try to get out there a few times next week as well. I usually get home at 4, and I will get geared up and head out after that. Anyone is welcome to join. First day (this may take two days) will be a ride carrying some basic tools for prunning and cutting. We should be able to take care of any small stuff relatively fast this way. We will take note of anything that will require more muscle and come back to take care of it. There may be some fallen trees with all the wind we had from the storm.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
madmavic
Bronze Member
Newbie
Posts: 31
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #3 on:
April 18, 2007, 06:10:46 PM »
werd
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Lou
PMBA Moderator
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Posts: 910
a.k.a. dirtmerchant
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #4 on:
April 18, 2007, 09:22:58 PM »
Went for ride today. Some HUGE trees down completely blocking trail. Also lots of small trees and rocks in tread. Pretty gnarly. We definitely need to get in there with some chain saws and cut trees. Who has a big chain saw? I have a small one that would not even dent the big trees... And I only rode half the park. Other then that, the trails were not that muddy. Some wet spots but that's about it...
UPDATE: I entered at Gorgas Lane from Rox and turned right up the trail (after going under Henry) and there are 3-100 year old trees that just fell down (and knocked each other down) becuase the embankment was undercut. At the top of the first hill (with switchbacks) there is a big dead tree that fell and completely blocked trail. Continued down trail from that and a few more large trees completely blocking trail.
WHO WANTS TO MEET at Gorgas Lane on Saturday morning around 9:30 or 10 to do some clearing? Let me know.
«
Last Edit: April 19, 2007, 08:54:44 AM by dirtmerchant
»
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DaveFOW
Gold Member
Newbie
Posts: 23
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #5 on:
April 18, 2007, 10:06:29 PM »
Well, here's what I know.
Monday the trails were 3" of slushy water that was ice cold and my toes got completely numb running in to work--colder than any ride this winter!
Yesterday, rode FD, Mt Airy, Kitchens, Thomas Mill. FD had standing water and flowing water in places and a big subsidence north of Rex Avenue: the bank must have become undercut: about 20' of the edge of the drive dropped vertically about 4', retaining its shape and orientation so well that the fence and a small tree remained upright! FPC was working on it today I hear, but I haven't been by to see it. Will see it on my way to work Friday.
Today was over on the Demo trail with my students and David Bower planting trees on and near the entrances of closed old trail. The Demo Trail looks really good and held up beautifully. There was a small fallen tree that we cleared, and there may be some de-burming to do in a few months, but it is ridable now.
I also walked a loop from Crefeld Street down to the right (upstream) down to the creek and up a tributary. Many many streams just popping out of the hillsides, the banks of the tributaries, and in one case the middle of the trail. The ground is just completely saturated. The water flowing across FD in places is evidence of that; the water hits the ground, perks on in, then flows along underground until it hits impermiable strata and follows that downhill to the surface.
I think things will dry out pretty quickly though with warming weather and trees using so much water.
I will hit upper trails jogging in tomorrow AM and will have more information.
David
Addendum: this didn't post when I posted it. Let me know where trees are down. Maybe I can meet some of you over the weekend to do some cutting. Small but powerful saw. I also have a killer cast iron heavy duty come-a-long.
D
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Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1196
Energy is always flowing. Ride it.
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #6 on:
April 18, 2007, 10:30:46 PM »
I can get my Chainsaw running. It's 20"
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
dieselkarl
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 158
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #7 on:
April 18, 2007, 11:39:43 PM »
Got a Stihl w/ a 26" bar. It's hungry too. Saturday AM or sun PM works for me.
Karl
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And I will remember your name and face
On the day you were judged by the funhouse cast
And I will rejoice in your fall from grace
With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
-Aesop Rock
jpearce
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 499
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #8 on:
April 19, 2007, 07:48:00 AM »
I'm OK Saturday after about 10. Let me know when and where.
Jon
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DaveFOW
Gold Member
Newbie
Posts: 23
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #9 on:
April 19, 2007, 08:35:16 AM »
I just jogged the upper trail, east side, from Mount Pleasant to Crefeld to work. The only log I saw down that requires attention is near Livesey Rock. Looks like a 30 minute job tops. Will try to get to it on Saturday. Contact me by email
suedave@pond.com
if any of you want to coordinate.
David
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Lou
PMBA Moderator
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Posts: 910
a.k.a. dirtmerchant
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #10 on:
April 19, 2007, 08:55:25 AM »
I added location on original post above. WHO WANTS TO MEET at Gorgas Lane on Saturday morning around 9:30 or 10 to do some clearing? Let me know.
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jomissa
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 140
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #11 on:
April 19, 2007, 02:19:04 PM »
so the trails today...thursday...ridable at 5pm today??? or still to wet?
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DaveFOW
Gold Member
Newbie
Posts: 23
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #12 on:
April 19, 2007, 03:49:10 PM »
Not much standing water, at least where I have been, but a lot of flowing water along and across some sections of some trails-including FD.
David
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Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1196
Energy is always flowing. Ride it.
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #13 on:
April 19, 2007, 06:15:29 PM »
My schedule has changed. Job for saturdaty cancelled. I'll be there Sat at 10. What if we meet at Livezy instead? It's easier to get to, in case people are trying to find the meeting spot. We can meet at the Pavillion.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
jpearce
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 499
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #14 on:
April 19, 2007, 09:44:49 PM »
I'll be there at 10 too. Can't lift anything too heavy or the L4-L5 disk goes out again, but hopefully I can be helpful somehow. Are we biking or hiking? I'll bring the bike anyway in case we get a chance to ride.
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We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
dieselkarl
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 158
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #15 on:
April 19, 2007, 10:36:56 PM »
Definitely in for sat. the earlier the better. Let me know what tools to bring - wheel barrows, saws, etc.
Logged
And I will remember your name and face
On the day you were judged by the funhouse cast
And I will rejoice in your fall from grace
With a cane to the sky like 'None shall pass.'
-Aesop Rock
Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1196
Energy is always flowing. Ride it.
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #16 on:
April 20, 2007, 12:40:35 AM »
I was thinking we could ride with our camelbaks stuffed with some basic cutting tools. We can cover more ground this way. If we see anything that requires Karl's big 26er or some real shovels then we could take note and regroup to take care of it. Perhaps we should try to cover half the park saturday, and half on another day.
10 oclock Saturday Livezy lane
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
Lou
PMBA Moderator
Addict
Posts: 910
a.k.a. dirtmerchant
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #17 on:
April 20, 2007, 08:11:07 AM »
Karl and I may meet at 9 or 9:30am and go directly to some big trees down near Gorgas Lane. We can walk to them from Gorgas trailhead. If we are done we will meet with you guys at
Livezy Lane Pavillion off Henry Ave
, or you guys should ride towards us and meet us on trail. Tom we can talk via mobile phone to coordinate. Bring bikes of course.
«
Last Edit: April 20, 2007, 08:35:03 AM by dirtmerchant
»
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Mmmmmmmm, post ride beers
Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1196
Energy is always flowing. Ride it.
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #18 on:
April 20, 2007, 10:25:45 AM »
Sounds good.
Logged
Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
jomissa
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 140
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #19 on:
April 20, 2007, 10:45:48 AM »
im riding today...or will try...at 3pm from the valley green inn. if anyone wants to come along feel free.
will report out on the trails after the ride.
«
Last Edit: April 20, 2007, 02:04:25 PM by jomissa
»
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jpearce
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 499
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #20 on:
April 22, 2007, 01:38:42 PM »
Karl, Lou, Tom, Bob Harrison and I went out on Saturday AM to survey trail conditions and see what we could do to clean up after the storm. Karl brought along his kickass 26" chainsaw in a kids cart hooked onto his bike, while Lou rode with some rakes and shovels in the brand new bike cart that Guys Bikes donated to PMBA.
We started out on the trail off of Livzey's Lane, where running water was turning the hill into mud, and where there was a 3' tree fallen at the top and completely blocking the trail. Lou and Karl attacked the tree, cutting out a notch that would allow easy passage for bikes and horses. Since the tree was wider than the chainsaw, it was a lot of work. They then flattened and raked the ground underneath, making it safe for passage.
Tom, Bob and I started working on restoring the water flow off of the trail below. We reconstucted a water bar that was leaking down the trail, buliding it up and plugging the leaks so that it diverted the water off of the trail into the stream basin. We then built another water bar about 10 yards further up the trail where water was flowing out of the ground and onto the trail Tom chopped out a section of the berm next to the stream to allow the water to flow out, and we built up a waterbar with stones and dirt. This redirected almost all of the water runoff directly into the stream and off of the trail. It won't work for a major storm, but did work well for the current runoff. Several groups of bikers passed both ways on the trail over the water bars with no difficulty, so it looks like they'll probably stay in place for a while.
We then moved down to a section off of Monestary Lane where two trees had fallen blocking the trail. The first had its stump sticking out into the trail, creating a potential hazard. We cut off the stump, then cut out the section blocking the trail. We then moved back to take out another tree that had fallen across the trail, which we cut free and moved along the side of the trail.
Overall, in about two hours we made some significant progress in restoring the trails to their previous usefulness before the storm. With more time, more participants, and more equipment we could have made more progress. But for a hastily-organized effort it was quite successful. And we all had a great time.
Jon
«
Last Edit: April 22, 2007, 07:39:52 PM by jpearce
»
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We do these things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
Lou
PMBA Moderator
Addict
Posts: 910
a.k.a. dirtmerchant
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #21 on:
April 22, 2007, 08:32:23 PM »
Amen my brother, Amen! And not only was the trail work sucessful, it was fun and I feel great about it... Do I need to mention karma?
Oh yea, and
GUY'S BIKES
totally hooked up the club with a sweet "BOB" trailer. We had 50 lbs of stuff on there no problem. (Stay tuned for a little write up on this...)
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Lust4singletrack
The trail/ tool guy
PMBA Moderator
Jedi
Posts: 1196
Energy is always flowing. Ride it.
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #22 on:
April 24, 2007, 09:14:26 AM »
Another solid day of work resulted in the rebuilding of trail that was completely washed away by the storm. Befor the work began, it was basically a big mudhole in the ground with no way around it. The improvements, which included construction of a stone retaining wall and new tread surface, make it passable and more enjoyable for all users.
Big thanks goes out to all involved for their dedication and hard work.
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Keep trails friendly. Go by slow and say "Hello"
Tom Coyle
jpearce
Platinum Member
Expert
Posts: 499
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #23 on:
April 25, 2007, 07:49:07 AM »
These guys did a fantastic job on this mudhole. On Saturday it was an impassible pit of mud about 8 feet wide and 16 feet long - with mud 6" deep (I know - I fell in it!). I watched hikers and bikers try to pass it by clawing their way up the side of the trail, hanging onto the trees for balance. By yesterday it had a whole new section built up along the side of the path, probably 2 feet higher than the original mud basin and armored with rocks so it will stay in place. It's dry and totally passable for bikes and hikers. The rest of the trail alongside this improvement is still mud. Nice work!
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Dmitri
Platinum Member
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Posts: 848
Re: How's the park after the rain?
«
Reply #24 on:
April 25, 2007, 08:45:56 AM »
Thank you! Tom deserves the most praise, because he did a lot of grunt work placing those huge rocks standing ankle deep in the 6-12" deep mud. I think it cost him his boots.
Is there really still mud on the original trail? Damn, that means that we need to do more work on it to improve drainage, to allow it to dry.
The new armored section will be ok for hikers and bikers, but most likely will not support 800 lbs horses. That's why we made sure that the original trail is still wide enough to allow horse traffic on it, but it needs to dry too, otherwise it'll continue erroding.
dz
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I crash therefore I am!
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