Poto: Morton-Taylor Trails

[opjames]

Gary...It's not one of the bridges that you made. It's the main bridge on the gravel trail crossing the river between the trail head and the West loop/Crooked Vulture area. I'm going there today, so I'll get some pictures posted sometime tonight.

I talked to 3 teen boys who have been riding their BMX bikes out there. They said that they are the ones who had built a plywood fort by the old car a while back. They seemed to have been just as upset as we were about the vandalism, but it could have been an act. They admitted to being out there nearly every day, so I asked them to keep an eye out for us anyhow. They appeared to be cooperative, but as you know appearances can be deceiving.

Oh almost forgot, the Crooked Vulture sign has once again reappeared. I wonder how long that will last.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

Well, that's good and bad news. I'm glad I don't have to replace a bridge, but that sucks that the nice one the township put in got enough damage to close it down. Regardless, I don't understand why this area is such a target for the local mis-guided angry youths. I guess because there are so many sub-divisions around such a somewhat remote area with very little supervision. Hopefully whomever is doing this will get bored and move on to another activity for a change ?

[opjames]

Well I can't post pictures of the damage to the bridge as I'd promised. It was actually fully repaired by 1PM and they were removing the barricades as we showed up. Thanks to the fast work of the township workers.

Fixed several rutted bad spots in the West and Crooked Vulture loops and removed another huge dead ash tree from the West loop as well, with Randy and his sons. Did it with a bow saw and it was at least 20 inches across. Very tiring indeed.

When we were getting ready to leave (5:30ish), a group of three 18 to 20 something year old males, came blasting down the gravel trail from the adjoining neighborhood on dirtbikes and minibikes. We were standing in front of the Crooked Vulture entrance and they decided out loud not to turn into the single track. Possibly because I was glaring at them. Anyhow, the signs reading "No motorized vehicles" doesn't seem to be working.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

Thanks for the update James and for you and Randy's continued help in keeping the trails clear of trees and motorcycles !
Wow, that was very quick work by the township repairing the bridge, but that is one of the most important ones in the park.
I am most likely going to be out there doing some work the next couple weekends, so maybe I'll see you guys. Got a list of stuff to do.

SC

[Jay22]

I'm glad the bridge is fixed! I can't wait to get back out on the trails this year. How has everyone been?

[bbmtr08]

I have a question for you guys that are more familiar with riding in the Canton area. I started riding these trails last summer, by the way a big thank you to the guys that build and maintain these trials it is nice to have a fun little trail that I can get to on my bike from my driveway. I stated doing some exploring this spring to add more miles to the ride, I have a little loop I put together, I ride in from Westland so I come from the 275 path under the expressway do the single track then the gravel path to the end at Canton Center. From there I did some exploring around the Summit and the condos and neighborhoods around there, and I noticed that the sidewalks in those condos and neighborhood intermingle with the cart path on Pheasant Run Golf Course and I have seen walkers, dog walkers and joggers using this path that runs along the golf course all the way to the neighborhood that is off of Denton road. After I seen that other people were using it I jumped on and the people I passed didn't give me any dirty looks and most said good morning. I did see one group of golfers getting ready to hit so I stopped by a tree not to distract them even know the jogger in front of me kept going, and they didn't say anything to me.

So my question, Is the path the runs along Pheasant Run Golf course through the neighborhoods open for people to use? If it is that is a nice way to get over to Denton road and jump on the dirt roads around there to get some miles in, plus you don't have to cross Beck road because the path goes under the road.

[troth]

I wish that were the case. I live near here so I know exactly what you are talking about. If you ride on them long enough, which is to say it only took me about 3 rides, the course ranger or whatever he is called (I don't golf) will see you from his golf cart and come yell at you. He cited liability of course and said the cart paths are for golf carts only and he made me get off the path as soon as it intersected w/ a street/sidewalk. He wasn't super understanding about it either when I feigned ignorance.

Now if you ride when the course is closed, I think the worst that would happen to you is a resident might yell at you if they are the "get off my lawn" type. That being said, during summer the course seems to be open pretty much from sun up to sun down so unless you're riding w/ a headlight at night, you will eventually get chewed out. Bummer because they are a nice alternative as you said.

[mmrobertson69]

Hello all,
Tried riding Morty today. I'd say the course is >50% dry, but the muddy spots are scattered through out the trails frequently enough to wreck any flow, not to mention how filthy it made me bike.
Got frustrated enough that I cut the ride short. Don't think the trail is ready for regular use just yet.
-Mike

[ibisman]

Did several laps this sunny morning with my new bike and the trail was almost all dry but for a few muddy spots that were kinda solid mud that didn't stick to the tires. Picked up a lot of broken glass on Crooked vulture and Lucky dog. someone moved the backside of several log piles so I put them back. Still trying to get comfy with the boarded skinny. I get to the dogleg and have to jump off.
first time dirty

[ibisman]

walked a bit and twas all mud. Ouch!

[jwhitey]

I haven't even considered checking out MT yet this year. I figured it would be too wet. On the other hand... I do know of some real fun riding in a secret spot that can't be mentioned.

[ibisman]

I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse.

[jwhitey]

This evening's weather may have changed things for the weekend.

[Jay22]

I was out there last night, I got there about 6:30 or so. I could ride most of the trail, I stayed out of the buckshaver section since I figured it would be a lake.

I ended up having to get off the bike and carry it around several spots that are really bad. It seems that nobody else cares though. There are so many deep ruts everywhere. I actually ran into a couple of people that had just fallen in one of the mud puddles and was covered in slop, (I laughed about that later, serves them right), however the part that really *beep* me off was that the woman was complaining about a couple of log piles, saying, and I quote, "This place used to be nice, they need to get out here and fix these log piles, they are in bad shape". I almost said, "Well, now we are probably going to be busy fixing all the f***ing ruts you just made, so the log piles will have to wait", but I didn't. I just laughed and rode off.

Anyone up for a trail work day? Maybe we can re-pack all those bad spots and dig some little drainage paths so they don't flood as bad, or at all. Maybe even elevate those spots a bit, that would probably help a lot.

[frank131]

Secret Canton spot? Whattt? Secrets are no fun.

I just graduated college and I'm home until August. I would definitely be available for a trail work day. I'm pretty available any week day or weekend.