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Post by timbarnes on Apr 6, 2011 16:30:39 GMT -5
The trails are perfect for riding. The only caution is the wind is constantly putting debris on the trails. Make sure you wear a helmet. Reworked one section of Sycamore where there was a long fall line rut and a lot of roots. Also removed some other roots and put in some drains for some notorious sections that hold water on Sycamore. Still plenty of roots and ruts to work on, y'all.  |
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Post by Tim on Apr 7, 2011 15:25:31 GMT -5
Ya know,.... at some point there needs to be a dedicated "Barnes" trail  The "Barnes" loop ! Yes indeedy |
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 7, 2011 16:03:21 GMT -5
Thanks, Tim. I'd just be happy to have the Walnut Connector done to the river. It goes through an area named Oka Run - that's a neat name for a trail.
Harmonie is in good shape. No rain as of 4 pm today. All debris has been removed and the winds have died down a lot. Worked on a couple of fall line / big root sections.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 9, 2011 8:31:03 GMT -5
Severe thunderstorm passed through around 8:30 am. Trails will need a few hours to dry today. Debris may be down. May be able to ride late Saturday.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 10, 2011 16:34:47 GMT -5
Consider the Sycamore Loop closed for repairs. About 2 miles has been torn up with people riding it. I don't think regular mtn. bikers did this damage. Its just too bad. Park employees thought people were riding yesterday morning just after the thundershower. Its really bad. More rain is expected tonight and tomorrow. I'll try to do some repairs this week if the weather cooperates. Its a shame novice trail riders (I hope) are disrespectful to the trails. Oh, the morel hunters are tracking Sycamore up pretty good, too.
On the other hand, the intermediate trail, Walnut, is in excellent shape with no ruts and only a couple of soft spots that aren't big enough to even notice. It's this way all the way to the "Trails End" sign. Of course, this will change with the rain tonight and tomorrow. Its just more proof that regular mtn. bikers didn't do the damage on Sycamore. They didn't feel comfortable going on the Walnut Trail. BTW, a big tree on the left going out on Walnut was splintered during the storm. Pretty impressive to see.
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Post by nathan on Apr 11, 2011 0:04:51 GMT -5
There's an old tree stand at about the 3 mile mark (clockwise) on the Sycamore loop. I'm gonna start camping out there on rainy days with an Airsoft rifle.  |
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ricdix
Junior Member
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Post by ricdix on Apr 11, 2011 10:17:37 GMT -5
Hate that for you guys Tim. Same thing happened to at Hawes Sat am. We just completed a new section Friday evening and someone rode it Saturday morning after the storm. Spent Saturday afternoon tamping out their ruts. Very frustrating.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 11, 2011 18:53:44 GMT -5
All of the trails are closed now. We had over an inch of rain that fell over a 12 hour period - a real soaker. Sycamore was already in bad shape and we want to make sure Walnut has a chance to dry out. I've asked the park to close the gate to the trailhead.
We are working on posting a status sign for the trails at the main entrance gate. We have also discussed having the attendant at the gate notify riders hauling in bikes when the trails are too wet to ride. I'm working on a hand-out to give campers and riders explaining how riding on the trails when they're wet is so destructive. I hope to have this ready by the time the gate is manned throughout the week. I think this starts the second week in May, but I'm not sure.
We have tried to keep the trails accessible as much as possible, but, if this type of destruction continues, we will shut them down for a minimum of 24 hours whenever it rains in the park - no matter how much or little it rains. They will not be opened back up until one of the working volunteers on the trails notifies the park they can be. Harsh, isn't it, but to have several riders and trail volunteers so negatively impacted by a few "hot dogs" isn't right.
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Post by smackgilbson on Apr 14, 2011 0:27:57 GMT -5
I was out at the park tonight. Just spent some time on the new walnut stuff. Our work drains good over there. The trail was just fine to ride. I would imagine the rest of the trails are just as good. We can probly open up the gates tomorrow morning.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 15, 2011 9:42:00 GMT -5
The trails are closed this morning and it will be at least Sunday before they might be able to ride. It will probably be more like Monday or Tuesday.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 16, 2011 21:05:33 GMT -5
Light rain fell in Harmonie until about noon today. Trails are closed at least for another day, probably longer. No riding Sunday for sure.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 18, 2011 15:52:45 GMT -5
Besides a few soft spots on Sycamore, the trails are in good shape to ride. The first 3/4 mile on Sycamore going CCW is rutted but dry. Bumpy but rideable. This is the damaged area from last week that I didn't have time to repair. Watch out for ticks; they're back in force. Also ran into a snake, box turtle, and turkey on the trails today. The rain is supposed to miss us tonight but not tomorrow night, so Tuesday may be the last chance this week to ride.
Well, the rain that was supposed to miss us didn't. Radar indicated a fast-moving thunderstorm passed through Harmonie. It sprinkled in Mt. Vernon. Be aware, the trails may be too wet to ride tomorrow, but they may also be okay by tomorrow afternoon. Weather indicates definitely more rain tomorrow evening and Wednesday.
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Post by smackgilbson on Apr 18, 2011 22:36:45 GMT -5
I had a great ride out at harmony this afternoon.
The first thing I have to say is THANK YOU to Mr. Tim Barns. Every trail system should have some one as dedicated to working on and keeping the trails as well maintained as Harmonie is. Hats off to you, Tim.
The trails were in great shape to me today. I could see the sections of sycamore where there was some damage before but all's cool now.
Normally, This is time I would say get out there and ride. But we have some weather coming in. So please have some respect for these trails and its builders, and other riders. Ride it in the right conditions. If your making deep ruts it's time to get off the trial and come back another day.
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Post by timbarnes on Apr 20, 2011 9:16:07 GMT -5
The storms last night that swept through most of Indiana weren't kind to Harmonie. The IDNR staff is reporting a lot of damage inside the park. The trails are closed. The trails are too wet to scout out today. BTW, the Wabash river might close down the park due to flooding. Remember the park closes the main road when the river stage at New Harmony reaches 19'.
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ricdix
Junior Member
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Post by ricdix on Apr 20, 2011 9:39:37 GMT -5
Ug. Was worried for you guys when watching the radar last night. Good luck.
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