Western: Cannonsburg Ski Area

[RickPlite]

it is fine to bring in your own chainsaw to do the work, I asked the management. Here is an update, 5 of us cut out the tree tops from Plite's Peak to just beyond the wall. There are still trees down in the skills park and the skills park trail that xc riders use that parallels the two track as you finish the loop. We need to clean that up next and rake, fill and tamp areas highlighted in yellow on my map. Still plenty to do, please lend a hand. I saw Brent Walk out there and he plans to work on it this week as well. At this point it looks like the wall will be a hike-a-bike section for now.

Rick

[John_H]

We worked this evening to finishing clearing the trail. I would say it's open, but signs are still up as closed. Maybe we can get the ok for ski area owners soon.

[RickPlite]

the skills park needs your help, many trees still across the trail in this area. Chainsaws and rakes should take care of it.

[yamaha13]

Get out and ride the ski area and ride the awesome race course that Rick and Dave set up. Go to the left first instead of climbing the big hill
then go to the left again as your exiting the woods instead of going straight down the hill to the finish go left through the skills area then across the trail to the right side of the skills area.

[Stumpy87]

Is it ok to ride the race course that was setup for the State Games, or no? Because that course was amazing! The Ski Area is in the best shape it has been in for a while. If it is ok, could someone post directions or a new trail map!!!

[Go_Green]

Yes and no. People do anyways since the layout is extremely popular. The trail I blazed with a weed whacker is now pretty self-maintained with consistent riding.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96928809

[Stumpy87]

Thank you. I will just ride it like normal. Where exactly is the trail that you weed wacked at??

[trout_smith]

There is a tree down near the beginning of the trail, a little ways into the first descent. A little bigger than I could move.

[RickPlite]

reminder, the trails are closed for Picnic Pops on July 28,29 and Aug 4,5th after 4pm

[dirtjunkie]

Trail is in good shape....but be warned that there is a tree down at the base of "The Wall" (the steep, loose climb in the last 1/3 of the loop). There is a route around to the left, but it takes all the momentum away. Tendency is to bomb the downhill to get up the wall....so be careful!

[ignition16]

Maybe I'm just spoiled by Luton, but it seems like this trail is in super rough shape. Sand at the bottom of every hill, with some of the pits just killing any speed you may have. That logging and rain this year must have really done a number on it...

[cramer]

It ain't easy for an MMBA trail coordinator! They're caught between a rock and a hard place. Fixing stuff = "dumbing it down" and "leaving it alone" = neglect.

[ignition16]

Lol, yeah. Not trying to call anybody out or point any fingers. It just seems to me like the trail has deteriorated some, and its probably because of the logging and crazy rains. If the tc needs some help in dealing with the sand somehow, i'd be happy to help.

[cramer]

Lol, yeah. Not trying to call anybody out or point any fingers. It just seems to me like the trail has deteriorated some, and its probably because of the logging and crazy rains. If the tc needs some help in dealing with the sand somehow, i'd be happy to help.

Wasn't trying to call you out for your post / concerns or anything, just pointing out the difficult situation they're in trying to make everyone happy. I don't think it's worth it to try to address sand problems by just moving it off the trail, you have to fix the underlying issue or else it just comes back again. We did that at EV a few years ago and it was great for about two weeks, then all the sand was right back in the same spots again. A long term fix usually means armoring (labor intensive) or re-routes and both seem to get people all upset about dumbing down the trail. Hopefully it will fix itself temporarily with a couple of heavy rains.

I think the extended dry period we had earlier this summer was more of an issue than the logging. I think I remember a period right after the logging where the trail was in really good shape. Even Luton has started to get sandy this summer, and that's rare out there. I spoke with the TC for the ski area yesterday and he was planning on heading out to remove that downed tree. He wanted to trim back the face slappers too but the trimmer wasn't available (being used at Luton) so that part will have to wait a little. The trimmer is back in the MMBA trailer now though.

[mntn-biker]

Lol, yeah. Not trying to call anybody out or point any fingers. It just seems to me like the trail has deteriorated some, and its probably because of the logging and crazy rains. If the tc needs some help in dealing with the sand somehow, i'd be happy to help.

Wasn't trying to call you out for your post / concerns or anything, just pointing out the difficult situation they're in trying to make everyone happy. I don't think it's worth it to try to address sand problems by just moving it off the trail, you have to fix the underlying issue or else it just comes back again. We did that at EV a few years ago and it was great for about two weeks, then all the sand was right back in the same spots again. A long term fix usually means armoring (labor intensive) or re-routes and both seem to get people all upset about dumbing down the trail. Hopefully it will fix itself temporarily with a couple of heavy rains.

I think the extended dry period we had earlier this summer was more of an issue than the logging. I think I remember a period right after the logging where the trail was in really good shape. Even Luton has started to get sandy this summer, and that's rare out there. I spoke with the TC for the ski area yesterday and he was planning on heading out to remove that downed tree. He wanted to trim back the face slappers too but the trimmer wasn't available (being used at Luton) so that part will have to wait a little. The trimmer is back in the MMBA trailer now though.

Instead of armoring, is it possible to create some shallow angled depressions that would route the running water and sand off the side of the trail before it gets to the bottom of the hill? I know every area of a trail is different so maybe this isn't feasible but it would be whole lot less labor intensive and then we're not dumbing down the trail either......