Poto: Potawatomi

[mtborange]

The short loop is in good condition now. No trees, almost no mud. I didn't ride the Gosling loop but I'm sure it will be bad for a while yet

[shippenville]

Rode the trail minus the Gosling loop (i.e. took the shortcut) last night. The trail was in excellent shape with no mud to speak of.

[tadraper]

Just rode the trail did the shortcut. the trail is in great shape hard to imagine it is still March.

great time to ride no bugs

[djansen00]

Rode the full loop. Gosling is really pretty solid now. There are a few muddy spots still but overall it's great.

There's a half a board missing on the first bridge/boardwalk after the shortcut re-connects. Not sure if there's a way to report that to the DNR? There was nobody at the office when I left tonight.

[Alexg]

After tonight how does everyone think Poto will be tomorrow? Probably best to ride the trainer?

[G.Cook]

Yeah. A lot of rain out here in Pinckney land.

[irishpitbull]

Lot of rain but the trails were pretty dry to begin with. I guess it is going to rain till late tonight.

[teach58]

I would love to come up and ride today (saturday) but am guessing it might be better Sunday?

[Paul Brown]

I would love to come up and ride today (saturday) but am guessing it might be better Sunday?

That's what I would think, I rode there Thursday and it was very dry but it came down really hard for a fair bit of time yesterday.

[MLKuhl]

Hoping to ride Sunday am if it's not raining, anyone get out there today? How was it?

[DynoDon]

I rode Wensday, first loop was a good loop, I was one minute from my personal best from last year, I strapped on the point and shoot camera and went out for a second loop, this first vid is on the Crooked lake trail just north of Piceral Lk, I've found this rouge/outlaw loop that adds 1/2 mile to the Potto with some interesting stuff thrown in, the camera stopped about half way through the rouge trail, it continues on to Hankard Rd coming out just north of the Pickeral lk trail crossing/enterance road, I ride south on Hankard a short way, then there is a small trail leading back to the Potto on the west side of the road, or you can go down to the regular trail crossing that goes over the bridge on the west side of Hankard rd, the small trail eliminates the bridge crossing and reenters the Potto shortly after that.
http://s892.photobucket.com/albums/ac12 ... 001_01.mp4

The second rouge/outlaw trail I found is farther down the Potto where the Waterloo trail goes to the left and the Potto goes to the right, this new/old trail goes straight ahead, it's probalby the steepest trail on the Potto, with peagravel so its hike the bike up the last part to what seems to be the highest point on the Potto, the views are amazing, the downhills have to be ridden to be believed, it comes down on the 2 track just west of the water pump on Blind lake, before the Boy Scout hill. Awesome addition to see.
I talked to the DNR, they said if there is a preexisting trail its alright to ride it.
http://s892.photobucket.com/albums/ac12 ... 280002.mp4

[G.Cook]

That's an interesting quote from the DNR staffer. The DNR knows about the bandit build near Pickeral Lk. And they have obviously tried to block the old fall line trial that you rode at the Waterloo intersection. I would be surprised, and pleasantly so, if the DNR Land Mgr. would agree with the DNR staffer you talked to.
I have always liked that Waterloo/Poto old line and I have scouted it for a possible sustainable reroute up to the top of that ridge line. The down side of the ridge to the two track needs some work as I don't think all those switch back tight turns would hold up to a lot of bike traffic. An added plus to a new route would get us out of going through the camp ground. We might also be able to configure the reroute so that it also serves to get us on the Waterloo when that opens up ( ) and do away with that eroded left hand turn onto the Waterloo Trail.
But as far as I'm concerned any plans for some serious trail work/changes is moot until that horse bill is dead and buried in Lansing.

[teach58]

Wow, trail was in amazing condition today (Sunday). I almost did not make the drive up due to weather predictions - for rain. Rode the whole thing and the only item to report is that already mentioned missing board and a guardrail piece at the same location.

[G.Cook]

Wow, trail was in amazing condition today (Sunday). I almost did not make the drive up due to weather predictions - for rain. Rode the whole thing and the only item to report is that already mentioned missing board and a guardrail piece at the same location.

That repair work has been reported. This time of year the DNR isn't up to full staffing yet and those types of non-emergency (so far) repairs get put on the to do list .

[BusDriver]

I rode the whole trail today at two o'clock and I haven't seen the Poto in this shape in a while. It's fast and clean up to around the sandpit shortcut area, the Gosling Loop is clear with the usual damp spots. The return is in great shape and again very fast, so fast I scared myself and now have to throw my shorts away A great job goes out to Greg, Jason, and all of the adopt-a-trail riders that keep this trail in great shape. I just wish it could stay like this all year round.