Poto: Morton-Taylor Trails

[ibisman]

I got 11 miles in this morning and the trail was nice. Tacky in spots but no mud.

[Jay22]

No, that wasn't me, but I was in the woods when I heard what sounded like a big truck going way too fast in the lot.
Could be one of the same idiots that were back on the South loop two track in the spring tearing things up.

I was there between 2:40-4. I have a copper/carbon colored helmet and was on a yellow bike (my Superlight). Don't
remember seeing a green/silver Iron Horse, so we must have just missed each other. I saw two guys riding together, one on a blue Specialized and directed them towards the new Buck Shaver section off of the South (Whitetail) loop.
I was getting some ideas for many improvements on the different sections of trail. I will be contacting you for berms.

This time of the year is the most popular for this system due to the tree colors, nice temps and lack of biting bugs.

Yeah we must have just missed each other. That truck was coming in way too fast and they looked like they were looking for a place to mud bog. Couple of tools that didn't appear to be very intelligent.

So its a go on some berms. Cool deal!

[SANTA_CRUZ]

I was out there this afternoon with a Japanese visitor from work and the rain has made the leaves on the trail wet and slippery, especially on the ramps and bridges, so please be careful. My friend had his bike (mine) go out from under him a few times, so maintain a straight line and walk the obstacles when necessary. We didn't ride the South loop, but the West was wet and the East and Crooked Vulture were not bad. I was supposed to have a good group from work, but I think the rain and wind kept them away.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

I was out on the Buckshaver section of the South loop yesterday afternoon and there is a large tree down (just the smaller portion of the top of it is blocking) across the trail after the first bridge. I didn't bring my hand saw with me
so I couldn't do anything with it, but I will try to get out there later this week to clear it if nobody else does in the meantime. I ran into Steve Balogh (with his new tires) while I was out there and we talked a bit.

[ibisman]

I cut out the tree on that new loop just out off the parking lot. There is a huge one down just after the abandoned car going west from crooked vulture. Too big for my hand saw. All bridges and ramps god except for the first one out of the parking lot. It was covered with dew and is slicker than ice when wet. Second lap it was dry.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

Thanks for clearing that tree on BS Dave. I will have to haul the chainsaw out to CV tonight or tomorrow to get the big one. That's funny how quick that fell because I was just through that area about 5 last night and it was all clear.
I added urethane and sand to the first bridge out of the parking lot, but it isn't helping with the wet slippery issue ?

[ibisman]

It was still slick from the dew I guess. I have a square or two of shingles if you want we could cut them in strips and nail them down for traction.

[TomE.]

Rode this trail yesterday, it was pretty cool. I was a little confused on a couple of areas, and the leaves covering the trail made it a little difficult to follow, but after a couple of laps it started to make sense. That big tree was still there.

Here's how I tackled it, maybe those who've ridden it a lot can give some advice on a better route:

1. South loop: started directly in back of the parking lot restrooms and exited at Morton-Taylor, right where you pick up the East loop.
2. East loop: began at the sign on MT, followed it up the little climb, then along the fence-line to Lilley. Jumped on the gravel path, then up the little climb just before the pedestrian bridge. Passed half a car on my right, then the downed tree, then saw the sign for Crooked Vulture.
3. West Loop: Followed this along the north edge until I saw a sign for Sheldon Loop. Followed that across 4-5 wooden bridges/jumps , lots of leaves in this area, but the trail was fairly obvious. I wasn't sure I was going in the right direction a lot of the time. Got spit out onto a gravel path, followed that back to MT, across the pedestrian bridge, then jumped on the East again.

I did this a few times, ended up riding for about an hour. Saw a couple of other riders out there, as well as hikers. It was a good ride, really fun trail.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

TomE, I'm not sure how you got onto the trail behind the porta-potties, probably that little game path that leads to
the Buck Shaver section (signs got ripped down soon after I put them up), but you can access the South loop by going down the path at the Northwest end of the parking lot, you'll see the sign at the entrance. That leads to the Dragon's Tail section and the large part of the South loop which is directly behind the parking lot.

The East loop has a self contained loop within the woods before you get to the ITC powerlines area. Sounds like you found the entrance to Crooked Vulture which is just west of the large ped bridge. Gotta get that tree outta there tonight, that's a real blocker.

The section with the ramps/bridges you were on is Lucky Dawg which is a technical extension of the West loop. Where it sounds like you came out onto the gravel path you should've turned left and went down about 50 feet to where it the singletrack continues (there are arrow signs on trees at either intersection). It continues and gets you back to the main part of the West loop. Either direction you ride it is fine.

Yes, the leaves down on the trail make it more challenging to follow, but as soon as they are done falling, Rich and I will clear them off of the trail to make it easier to follow in the winter months. This trail doesn't get the traffic to smash them down enough and the clay based soil doesn't seem to mind them being removed. (whole other discussion)

Hope that helps and keep enjoying the trail !
SC

[TomE.]

TomE, I'm not sure how you got onto the trail behind the porta-potties, probably that little game path that leads to
the Buck Shaver section (signs got ripped down soon after I put them up), but you can access the South loop by going down the path at the Northwest end of the parking lot, you'll see the sign at the entrance. That leads to the Dragon's Tail section and the large part of the South loop which is directly behind the parking lot.

There was a wide opening (6 feet?) where I went in. Seemed logical, but there wasn't much of a singletrack trail so I wasn't certain I was on the main part of the South. I'll look a little further NW next time.

Where it sounds like you came out onto the gravel path you should've turned left and went down about 50 feet to where it the singletrack continues (there are arrow signs on trees at either intersection). It continues and gets you back to the main part of the West loop.

Ack, yeah, I didn't look close enough. Still though, I was able to get some saddle time on the gravel trail on a nice fall day.

Yes, the leaves down on the trail make it more challenging to follow, but as soon as they are done falling, Rich and I will clear them off of the trail to make it easier to follow in the winter months. This trail doesn't get the traffic to smash them down enough and the clay based soil doesn't seem to mind them being removed. (whole other discussion)

Leave don't bother me, unless I'm trying to locate the trail...heh. I can use any bike handling skills the trail can throw at me, including sticks and leaves and kamikaze chipmunks. I really liked the trail. I put together a 26" full squish this summer, so it was a perfect fit out there. I will definitely get out there more often.

[Jay22]

It is a nice little trail. At first I got confused as well but after a few runs you figure it out. I don't know about the buckshaver section by name, but I know I have ridden it.

If you are ever planning on going there again, shoot me a pm a bit ahead of time, maybe the day before. It will go to my phone so I will get it and if I am available I can head out that way. I live close by and I could give you a tour.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

One of these days, I'll come across the people that I communicate on this forum including Jay22.
Glad you guys are enjoying the trail !

[Jay22]

No kidding! One day we will cross paths i'm sure.

I was there this morning sliding around a bit back there. Was a great ride today! I saw the big tree down near the half-car, and a massive part of a tree blocking the little climb on the trail opposite crooked vulture. (Not sure the name of that one). I didn't even notice it on my first lap, but the second time around I came out of crooked vulture and headed over the bridge into that trail to hit that hill and realized I was going to be walking up this time. It's time for a chainsaw for sure!

[SANTA_CRUZ]

When you say the trail opposite of CV are you refering to the East loop which is between Morton-Taylor and Lilley ?
CV is between the large ped bridge west of Lilley and the West loop (Morton-Taylor again). Exact location helps
when you're lugging a large chainsaw (but I have a modified golf bag cart to easy that situation)

I've been trying to get out there the last two nights, but between working late and the rain, it isn't happening.
Most likely Sat morning at this point unless I get out of here at a reasonable time tonight.

[Jay22]

Let me know when you are going, Ill show up and help you. This one is a two man job for sure. Its the loop between morton taylor and lilly. When you enter off of the main trail after the ped bridge to the right, (The one after the crooked vulture entrance on the left) you have to ride a short trail and then go up a small but steep hill. It is right there.

If you weren't to enter the trail and stay on the main path, you end up at lilly road. So it sounds like the east loop. (I would have never guessed, because to me it isn't a loop, it ends at lilly and then you ride the shoulder back to the main path and then head towards crooked vulture if you want to ride it that way.)