Trees Down From Wind?
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DrSaw
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« on: February 12, 2008, 05:04:59 PM »
Can anyone give me some locations if the trees impede legal trails
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Chuck U
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« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2008, 05:30:56 PM »
Major ones i can think of:  On the gravel climb across from valley green two trees came down together.  A medium one and a small one, blocking the trail.   Also, on the chestnut side just north of the walnut ln bridge, close to the tree that you go under.  This one you can get around but it will widen the trail.   There is one down near the big hill on the roxy side near the bells mills bridge.  Can go around it though.

Probably more but I cant think of them right now.
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DrSaw
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« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2008, 12:04:44 PM »
Chuck, my cell numer is 215-534-5280.  If you can call me for more exact locations, the trees may be ones I know about, cleared already, or am unaware of yet. THANKS!
« Last Edit: February 13, 2008, 12:24:15 PM by DrSaw » Logged
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RepoMan
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« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2008, 12:24:57 PM »
I think the first one he's talking about is, if you're heading away from Inn up Valley Green Rd, follow the trail to the left when you cross the bridge, go over the uneven wood footbridge, pass the little hut at the top, head down the rocky downhill, and the trees are right at the bottom, between you and the little wooden bridge over the feeder stream. These trees are totally blocking the trail. Also, if you continue farther along the trail in the same direction, there is another tree spanning the trail (on the upper bike trail, not the lower hiker-only trail). This one is somewhat easily navigated as it angles down low to the ground on the creek side, but it is still a tree blocking the trail. If memory serves, if you continue up the main trail from the first spot mentioned, you'll pass where the trail branches to the left (hikers only), go up the hill as the trail curves to the left, and the tree is around the next right-hand bend. If that's not it exactly, it is definitely between the first fallen trees mentioned here and the very rocky downhill that ends before the switchbacks to the Indian.

I hope this helps.
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Chuck U
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« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2008, 05:35:29 PM »
No, I am talking about if you start at valley green and go over to the chestnut side and turn right, gravel double track near the bottom.  The one repo is speaking of is mostly cleared.  DrSaw, I'll give you call i guess.
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DrSaw
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« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2008, 07:13:43 AM »
Lets tackle all the new downed trees next Saturday during the PMBA trail day. I will drive to the various sites via Forbiden Drive or one of the dozens of trailheads of the side streets. Anyone interested, me and 1 or 2 others to help would be great!

Tom and Lou, is this OK with you? I know when the ground is hard, I won't be stealing too much labor
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halfLoop
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« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2008, 10:34:13 AM »
Here's a few...these are old ones.

Turn onto Wise Mill road from Henry and at the demo 1 intersection take a left towards apartment building.  After climbing the gradual hill where you are closest to apartment parking lot as you start descending towards the stream crossing, there is a tree slightly jutting out onto the trail.  The problem is it's like 18 inches off the ground and somewhat spear-like so as you are crusing down the trail you really need to watch out ~ especially at night!  Someone was nice enough to get another 1-2 tress and butt them up against the point sticking out so it's a bit more visible (perhaps safer too).

Continuing on same stretch, cross the little stream, wind around and go up the steep hill.  As it starts leveling out there is a larger log on the trail ~ maybe 8-10 inches diameter.  Not to be confused with the smaller one that even I have managed to bunny hop over.  This bigger one is good for sharpening your big ring teeth.

Continuing along same path maybe 1/2 between current location and Summit Ave there is a huge downed TREE that everyone goes around - heavy equipment candidate.
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pahearn
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« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2008, 11:01:38 AM »
Quote from: halfLoop on February 14, 2008, 10:34:13 AM
As it starts leveling out there is a larger log on the trail ~ maybe 8-10 inches diameter.  Not to be confused with the smaller one that even I have managed to bunny hop over.  This bigger one is good for sharpening your big ring teeth.

Just a reminder, let's not get saw crazy!  Don't want to completely sanitize the trails -- IMHO obstacles that hikers, horses and some cyclists can get over should be left alone. To a lot of cyclists those size logs are fun and are nice natural features. I've spoken to more than a few hikers who enjoy dead-fall as well, as it's "part of nature" and "reminds you that you're in the woods". If you can't ride it, walk it... nothing wrong with that. Just a thought to maybe use what horses can't safely traverse as a scale of what should be taken care of.

-pete
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Rico
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« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2008, 11:58:43 AM »
Quote from: pahearn on February 14, 2008, 11:01:38 AM
If you can't ride it, walk it... nothing wrong with that. Just a thought to maybe use what horses can't safely traverse as a scale of what should be taken care of.

-pete


Good point, Pete!
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chunter
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« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2008, 01:16:48 PM »
Pete I agree with you to a point, but unfortunately usually what happens is riders will just go around the tree and expand the trail.  Look what happened over past the DEMO 1 out between wises mill and summit, just before summit, theirs a big jug handle around that log.  It widens the trail usually, most riders don't walk it.
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halfLoop
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« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2008, 01:25:51 PM »
Yes, I agree Pete.  That one should probably stay.
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Chuck U
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« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2008, 02:28:33 PM »
Yeah, good point.  That one by the appartments that points out into the trail could really mess your leg up if your bombing down that trail and didn't see it.  The other tree butted up against it does make it better, but it's kinda hard to see. 

I like the big-ring-sharpener one.  I totally suck at going over those smoothly and like the practice and it's not that big anyway.

What about that BIG one further up the trail that has a ride around (almost to summit ave)?  Keeping it that way? 

The other ones I mentioned are unrideable.
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chunter
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« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2008, 02:35:26 PM »
Chuck the one by summit is the one I was talking about too.
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Chuck U
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« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2008, 02:46:03 PM »
Yeah, I don't know about that one.  Seems that with a little work the ride around could work ok, then also have a ride over option as well...and both would slow traffic down a bit and make it more interesting.  Maybe(?).  It's not the best log really, being off camber.
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pahearn
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« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2008, 02:47:17 PM »
Quote from: chunter on February 14, 2008, 01:16:48 PM
Pete I agree with you to a point, but unfortunately usually what happens is riders will just go around the tree and expand the trail.  Look what happened over past the DEMO 1 out between wises mill and summit, just before summit, theirs a big jug handle around that log.  It widens the trail usually, most riders don't walk it.

Good point.

AAAAAHHHHHH! These "go-around" people with logs, mud, etc.... royally screw everything up, so frustrating! Hey I know, let's PAVE the whole park, yeah!

-p
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #15 on: February 14, 2008, 10:31:27 PM »
Very good points fellas. I agree that trees on the trail should be, for the most part left alone as natural features, but because some are just going to widen the trail they must be dealt with.
 
Another good thing about logs is sometimes they make great water bars/grade reversals and help to stop erosion in it's tracks. For this reason when you are cutting, try doing a notch technique, leaving 4-8 inches of the log bottom still intact where it touches the ground, and wide enough so you don't catch a pedal. There's a few examples of this in the park already. It's also good to remove the bark so it does not rot. Passable by all and if you have the skills you can jump the high uncut part and at least retain some of the natural, while preventing people from going around and widening the trail.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2008, 07:25:14 PM by Lust4singletrack » Logged
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Tom Coyle
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« Reply #16 on: February 15, 2008, 09:24:58 AM »
I know the jagged tree down near apt. building NW a few hundrd yards of Wises Mill Rd. It is on my list. Not to remove the whole thig, just the jagged, shin spearing piece. I AM NOT looking to sanitize trails, just stop ride-arounds that cause erosion.

As for the large tree down closer to Summit, I don't think that will be an erosion issue, just a choke poitn to slow things down a bit. Look at the tree down at Jeannette St going up the hill toward the golf course. But I will leave that decision to "Yoda" TommyGuns.

My vote is to allow nature some "flow" of its own sometimes
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Lou
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« Reply #17 on: February 15, 2008, 10:19:47 AM »
Excellent thread here dudes. I like to use my imagination and use the logs and make a cool feature which blends in real nice. Like the one at the top of Gorgas hill (opposite of our trail reroute) which leads down under Henry Ave bridge. That was fun to make, and it super fun to ride. But that is also off the main trail so I treated it differently. What I love about it is each and every tree that falls presents a unique opportunity. I think the short reroutes (near Summit and Janette) are awesome! But the trail widening sucks and has to be dealt with. Tom's point about notching out an area but leaving the bottom is optimal... BE SAFE! Wear ass-less chaps...  Just make sure I am not in the area...  Kiss
« Last Edit: February 17, 2008, 09:43:57 AM by Lou » Logged
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DrSaw
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« Reply #18 on: February 16, 2008, 05:53:06 AM »
I have chaps Lou, but not the leather ones in that special color you like.
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Chuck U
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« Reply #19 on: February 17, 2008, 12:45:39 PM »
Tree on valley green gravel climb has been cleared....


<--  no longer a newb.
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Kman
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« Reply #20 on: February 17, 2008, 10:12:50 PM »


We should always consider a tree down an opportunity to create something that can be used to enhance the riding experience, unless of course it is going to eventually lead the the destruction of the tail being sustainable, such as widening of the trail mentioned by Tom, and others above. I would have to agree this is an excellent post!

 Tongue
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Dmitri
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« Reply #21 on: February 20, 2008, 07:55:47 AM »
Yeah, that tree on the gravel climb by VGI took a while... with my folding saw!!!!   Roll Eyes

How many times during those 45 minutes i wished for my chain saw!  Undecided

It's still partially in the trail, but might not be a bad idea to leave it as is, to make for sort of choke point and more rustic look on that wide flat gravel road...

dz
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