CRAMBA: Holdridge

[mmba6862]

The Wilderness Trail is maintained by Holly Rec. and it's state employees. It is designed to be more open and is much wider to better suit many of the visiting campers which have many adjoining trails from the camping area. It is fun to fly thru.

[Critter7r]

12-incher on the ground at the 4-mile marker on East. And when I say at the 4-mile marker, I mean AT the marker. Five feet further down the trail and we'd be replacing a marker. Easy to see, not hard to get over. Looks like Mr Motorcycle cut himself another path to his deer blind in Meadow. I didn't see anyone, but I heard chainsaws or weekwackers out there and expected to find mtb'ers clearing the trail, but nope, just someone cutting a bandit trail. Again. Oh, the trail is in great shape. Pretty much clear of slappers, I only got a few scratches on my arms. Starting to get some sandy spots, but they're small.

[mmba6862]

Chris,
Did you call the DNR?

[Critter7r]

No, I didn't even think to call the DNR, ("duh" moment on my part). I don't know why I didn't think to call them. i'll call them later today. I don't suppose anyone knows at what mile-marker in Meadows that hunting blind is located? I'm talking about the chair with a sheet of plywood covering it held up by 4 posts near a rock garden. The new trail was before that blind and just after the other trail that splits off and is marked with "no trespasing" signs.

[r21954]

8.8miles in on meadows

[andyf]

Conditions on East today...
4.0 - large trunk on ground
Overall, overgrowth not too bad until some sections on Meadows.
Visiblity to see the trail line and ride faster is limited in some areas.
9.3 - just before Old Shields road bed - small trunk on ground
11.4 - large leaner, possible head banger, but easy to ride under.
Beginning of Orchard and last half of Orchard beyond 12 fairly overgrown, but ridable.
Section leading up to 14.5 has worst overgrowth.

Conditions on West today...
At bottom of the Wall - cut one tree but could not push completely off the trail, no enery left for 2nd cut w/folding saw, easy to ride around.
Lake loop just before last climb - large trunk on ground and one limb overhead.

Spent about 1.5 hrs total clearing all smaller messes and easy to cut dead stuff with folding saw. Didn't ride North.

[mmba6862]

Hey guys, are we having a Trail Day next Saturday the 25th?

[r21954]

Yrs we are, lots of trimming on the East.

[andyf]

*HOLDRIDGE TRAIL DAY* This Sat 8/25 9am

We will be trimming East Loop.

Holdridge trail maintenance is 100% dependent on volunteer efforts.

Take some time out to give back to the trails that you enjoy!

Bring gloves, safety glasses, plenty of fluids, energy snacks, bug repellent and small pack/CamelBak.

Arrive at trail head prior to start time for instructions and prep.

Ron Arnott/Andy Fraser
Holdridge Trail Coordinators

[AllMountin']

Rode all of the major loops today. Nothing down on East that can't be ridden. The slappers were a non-issue for me, as they fit the rugged character of this trail. Pretty sure the corridor on the North was all clear and free of deadfall/slappers.

It really is a treat to ride the log rides on the tech loop and also on the East loop, including the new? unshaven rides on the East. I wouldn't mind an unshaved, more advanced log ride added to the mix, if the opportunity arises. I'm likely in the minority though, as I don't think a lot of riders attempt the unshaven ones.

Riding West to East, to North is a great day of riding. Fresh legs for the tech on West, then mash out the technical trail tread on East, and then a nice fast and flowy North as a cool down to finish.

FYI to potential visitors: The store/gas station just West of the highway on Grange Hall has an amazing selection of brews. I picked up a six of Southern Tier 2x Double Milk Stout to try, but the possibilities are almost endless.

[MediumRB]

Anybody been out there lately? I went almost two years ago...
Planning a trip tomorrow, midday.

[Critter7r]

it was perfect 2 weekends ago, and we really haven't had any wet weather in the past week at least, so it should be perfect still.

[r21954]

I was out there all day Thursday, every trail was great, a little growth at 8 mile and on the return of the East. I put 3 signs up at the road designating exits at thorn dog and 15 mile. One at the beginning of Grubers at the road so when taking the road in the spring when the North is to wet one will be able to know where to enter from the road.. All the trails were dry hard and fast yesterday. Saturday is a trail day and we will be working on the return of the East.

[MtnBikerMi]

Big tree top down on the west loop about 1.5 miles in, and huge tree trunk down across the trail in the tech loop. Not muddy though!

[r21954]

Should be able to get them Tuesday afternoon