Poto: Morton-Taylor Trails

[opjames]

Rode a lap with loosecannondale tonight. Trail still hasn't gotten any rain. Storm clouds and thunder to the south kept teasing us, but no dice. Dusty and hard as cement.
Had to read a group of young adults the riot act tonight. They were lighting firecrackers in the Buckshaver loop, but of course claimed innocence when I found them as they were hiking. Apparently the firecracker wrapper I found, had magically appeared and lit themselves. Anyhow, they said they would make sure to tell their friends that it's way too dry to mess with fireworks in the park, which incidentally is marked "No Fireworks" on the park rules sign.

[Jay22]

Sheesh. I mean, who could possible see an issue with lighting fireworks in the woods?

Some people...

[opjames]

The biggest problem at the Mort, isn't firecrackers....it's the unsupervised teens screwing around and destroying stuff. I patrol the trails everyday and I see what goes on there.

I've been told by some local youths that the main bridge was set on fire earlier this spring by some other aggressive local teens. Apparently, they were angry that the township had invaded "their" secret hangout, by creating the park and trail system.
I've witnessed teens ripping up and down the trails on dirt bikes and atv's. When I informed them that motorized vehicles aren't permitted in the park. They just become defiant, aggressive, and arrogant, as if it was "their" personal track in "their" backyard.
I've found booby traps, such as, vines and wire set across the trail at neck height, logs dragged into the trail to block access, and trees cut and pushed over into the trail.
I found where someone set an accidental fire using "Roman candles". Luckily they were near the river and managed to put it out.
Recently, I've seen a van full of 16 to 18 year old's get dropped off. They proceeded to rip down signs, throw rocks, litter, knock over trees, scream and holler like imbeciles, and other stupid acts of chaos. They were picked up 3 hours later.

I remember being bored as a teen, but I don't recall being a douchebag and ruining things. There should be a law enforced to prevent minors from frequenting the parks without a parent. It's when they're alone in peer groups that they start acting foolish.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

Rode to the trail from my house this afternoon. just kind of randomly picked a time when I was done with the house chores to go for a ride.
Left the house around 2:20, hit the South loop trailhead about 2:45, ride Buckshaver, South and Dragon's trail. Get to the lot and see Rich's
Jeep and James prepping for a ride. Stop and talk with him a bit, he offers some much needed water and I hit the East. While I am putting
stickers on the bumper of the dead rusty car, I hear Rich coming towards me. We chat for a while and it's good to see him. I keep riding CV
and then hit the West, see James again. Finish the ride on the Wetlands loop and head towards my favorite beer store on the way home.

Oh, and by the way, whatever deadfall from the recent storms has been cleaned up and all loops are clear, dry, fast and fun ! Look for a new logpile on the Dragon's Tail return section. More to come within a month in various places.

[opjames]

The trails were in awesome shape today and the weather was absolutely perfect.
Met Mike R. out there this afternoon. Did an easy lap and took a few pictures for the new Morton-Taylor facebook page. Afterward, we met two newcomers to mountain biking (James and Jesse) and gave them a moderately paced tour. They seemed stoked for more and said they had a great time. Always glad to help new enthusiasts, so they get a good experience when starting out.

[colin]

Headed out to ride these after work for the first time. Is there anything special to know or look out for? Some locals tips for a good ride?

[mmrobertson69]

They can be confusing the first time or two with out a guide. They're multi-directional though so don't worry too much. They're basically organized into 3 trails: South loop, east loop, and the west loop. The south loop starts off of the parking lot, just follow the west most gravel path for a few feet and you'll see the trail entrance. The entrance for the east and west loops are almost across from each other. If you follow the gravel path that would be Morton-Taylor road, you'll find the trail heads just past the bridge marked No. 6. Each trail has offshoots so have fun exploring.

[SANTA_CRUZ]

Greetings from Portland, Oregon ! Drove through Mt. Rainier National Park yesterday which was positively breathtakingly awesome.
Everyone needs to see this place once in their lifetime ! Lots of road bikers and tons of hikers enjoying the scenery, still snow on the peaks.

Love the new avitar James and thanks for being a good trail stewart/guide and showing Jesse & James around !

[opjames]

Greetings from Portland, Oregon ! Drove through Mt. Rainier National Park yesterday which was positively breathtakingly awesome.
Everyone needs to see this place once in their lifetime ! Lots of road bikers and tons of hikers enjoying the scenery, still snow on the peaks.

Wow...sounds like you're having a blast. I will have to put that on my must see destinations for sure.

Love the new avitar James and thanks for being a good trail stewart/guide and showing Jesse & James around !

I enjoy showing folks around the Mort. I've given 2 more subsequent tours since. Jeff F. who regularly rides there, but wanted to make sure he's hit everything and newcomers Greg and Kyle. Everybody says they're really enjoying the trails.

I've also been taking a lot of pics out there to add to the new "Morton-Taylor Mountain Bike Trails" facebook page. Even Mike R. has been getting used in some action shots.

Trail conditions are dry and fast. There's a layer of powdery moon dust on most of the trail. We need rain.

[jwhitey]

I hit MT this morning. Pretty nice and dry as a bone. I endo'd 3 times. A new record. Caught a pedal twice and got stuck in a rut on a short section of the rivers edge hiking trail, almost went in the water. I didn't see anyone else but scared a deer out of the river. Very cool fellas, good job.

[opjames]

The rivers edge trails weren't built by Gary and I'm pretty sure they weren't engineered for bike use. We also haven't been maintaining or promoting bike use on them. Not sure who built or maintains them either. I've hiked a bit of them and decided they are too dangerous for me to ride on. I guess if you endoed on them I could see why.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

[jwhitey]

Yea I figured I was pushing it a little riding on the rivers edge trails. I could tell they were not maintained but they were ride able for the most part.

[Steve_Balogh]

One of the signs calls that out as a footpath, I never ride it.

[jwhitey]

I hope I didn't start something bad. It didn't indicate no bikes.

[ibisman]

more trails the better. If you can ride it...ride it. if you can't...walk. I rode those before and except for the "bridge part...it ok. How are you doing J?