Trail Work Thread - Harmonie

[timbarnes]

Also posted on the HMBA HSP site:

Let's plan on the 2nd Sunday of every month as a work day, making the next one July 11th. We'll work as long as we can in the heat (I'm only good for three hours max now) then ride some. We'll concentrate on the new trail during these work days. The other trails can be maintained outside the work days if we all stay on top of it. How about an 8 am start time?

Consensus says a bridge is needed. This will take some time and money. HSP is willing to donate some of the material, so we'll have to check what they have. Perhaps we can all decide on where the bridge should go and how to form the trails into and out of it. I have my own idea but want to make sure we generally agree before beginning work. Let's plan on finalizing the plan on the 11th. In the meantime, I think we can cut a trail that will allow riding through this section. It won't be any good once the Fall rains begin but may get us by until we can install the bridge.

Steve and I are aware the down/up will need some armoring. We're going to make a field trip down to the Old Dam site on the Wabash River just above the HSP. There was plenty of river rock in that area a few years ago. We'll see if we can collect some for the trails. If so, we can have natural rock to armor this and possibly some other places.

Dan Cates and I worked some on the new trail today, adding some bench cut to the hill after the down/up and extending the trail some. Still a lot of bench cutting to do. I will have two JHCC workers next Monday and Tuesday to help with this. I'll show them how to do it. I suggest we concentrate on finishing the bench cut before we get too much farther on extending the trail. This will make it a much better riding/walking trail. Perhaps during the work day....

We also trimmed the last section of the Walnut trail that needed it, cutting down some branches and weeds, as we walked into the review the structure of the bridge. This trail is in really good shape now.

Finally, its great to see more involvement in the HSP trails. A lot of volunteer hours are being given. Continue to sign in at the gate to get the credit for your time. Also, please fill out the volunteer sheet in the office if you haven't done so. This provides insurance coverage for you while working in the park as a volunteer.

[jrt]

Hey guys my friends and I were out at the end of the Walnut connector late last week and we were looking for where the new trail started but could not find it.

I did not see the markers of anything, can someone tell me how to find it?

It will be a few weeks before I am able to ride again, but I would love to see the new section.

[timbarnes]

It's immediately to the left as you get to the end of the trail before you go up the grass to the old Walnut picnic area. I'll mark it more clearly this week.

[smackgilbson]

I'm starting to get the feeling that we are getting to be on the same page now. That rocks!

The second sunday of the month sounds good to me for a work day. I still plan on being out there on friday night (6ish) to do some work if anyone wants to join me. -smack

[timbarnes]

Finished bench cutting the trail on the hill after the whoop (down/up) - moved a lot of dirt to even things out. It was just me and a black snake today. He wasn't much help! I'm trying to post the "before" and "after" pictures of the hill.
Before:

Attachments:

[timbarnes]

Oops! Fast fingers..... Here's the "after"

Attachments:

[Tim]

I like the 2nd sunday plan.
I'll add it to the events calendar also.

[nathan]

Jun 24, 2010 17:12:49 GMT -5 timbarnes said:

Oops! Fast fingers..... Here's the "after"

Looks good Tim. Hopefully I'll get to check it out this weekend.

[timbarnes]

Talked w/ Chastity. The lumber left from Alex's bridges was stored inside the fence down the hill. I'll check it out next week. She thought there was enough for a bridge. The rock pile has been used at various places in the park. She may be able to get some for us, though, if we cannot find some on our own.

The trail has been "rough cut" as far as the last contour turn to head down the hill toward the old road bed. This is where it will tie in with the section completed last December. About half of this new trail has been really bench cut in. We're going to concentrate on finishing the existing trail before moving forward. The hot weather is slowing us down some, but we should get to the finished section in August or September depending on the turnout for the work days.

I think I'll use the JHCC guys to help maintain the existing trails. I'm trying to get them assigned to do this work without my supervision. If two guys would walk the trails weekly, they could really stay on top of it. The weeds are really growing up where we haven't cut them back far enough. There is about a mile on the Sycamore Loop left to really cut back. After that, we'll bench cut the rough cut Walnut Trail. The volunteers will continue to finish and expand the Walnut trail during work sessions.

Let me know if you have any ideas to improve the process. We had a great turnout the last work day and hope to have a good group on the 11th. BTW, Chastity told me a new $20,000 vault toilet facility is going to be installed at the Sycamore picnic area where the trailheads are. That's good news!

[Tim]

I would like to finish the kiosk. I work with plex / polycarb , have it by the truck load.

I am assuming that it just requires a framed window , a few hinges and a lock. i would be more than happy to finish the thing up and at least make use of it.

I remember Alex talking a few months back on using it to convey the needed info to people. Maybe there are more out there who are willing to help but don't really visit here or the HMBA site.

An idea of basic info would be nice, park map, trail map, emergency info, rules, etc.

since I'm not at liberty to fly up there whenever I desire, could someone get me some measurements for the glass frame / door?
or at least a photo of how they look in other parts of the park.
That would be helpful. i could build it and just bring it up and throw it on.

[timbarnes]

Tim,
The kiosk was painted this week. I think the dimensions for the recessed area are 42"x45". I'll verify that Monday. I'm going to pick up some cork board to install in there. I think Kyle Kirkman mentioned he has the polycarbonate to install on it.

[nathan]

I rode the new section again today and I like all the changes that were made. I'm ready to get back out there and so some more work.

[timbarnes]

Tim,
Yep. 42"x45" (actually 44 7/8").

Whoever roughed in the reroute after the tight dip, thanks. Was that you, maniac Zack? Rounding this out should allow us to ride the trail until the bridge is built. I'll work on this area next week to finish a temporary trail we can ride through. Some dirt will have to be moved to smooth out the entrance/exit of the dip.

There were a lot of riders out this morning. Some rode the new section and provided feedback. Almost all of it was positive. Some noted it should be really better after it is bench cut. They said this will smooth out the humps. I passed on the info about the work day on the 11th. Many said they would try to make it. Everyone is anxious to build it farther.

Saw at least three families with the kids riding BMX style bikes. They were really enjoying the ride, although they all said it was HOT. A couple of kids traveling clockwise on the Sycamore Loop turned around when they got to the first off-camber downhill. I told them about the little "social" trail at the south end of the shelter house picnic area that would bypass the serious downhills. They used it and loved the rest of the trail! Maybe we ought to integrate this three foot trail officially identifying it bypasses the off camber downhills? What do you guys think?

[Tim]

I don't quite grasp what the problem would be for anyone. My son is 10, he was intimidated a bit by the close edges but never had a problem with the downhill parts.

if you slow down I don't see what the problem would be for anyone.

I think I know the place you speak of. I would not have a problem with it because I don't care for the second half of the loop.

I wouldn't see a problem with it. I think once the kiosk is ready, we will be able to convey more important info.

Did I read there were mile markers on the trail now?

[timbarnes]

The temporary mile markers are still up. HSP is making permanent numbers to put on the trails. They should be ready next week to be hung. Although they will closely be located a half mile from one another, they will just be numbers. The number will be on both sides of a tree and can be used as reference either way on the trail. Example: between 1 and 2 or between 4 and 3 going the reverse way.