Blow the leaves away at MMCC?

[dirtpo]

Jill and I rode MMCC at Harrison a week or so ago and found the leaves to be so deep and fluffy that it was easy to lose the trail. I'm wondering if we could put together a brigade of leaf blowers to walk the trail sometime soon. I have a backpack model that will clear a line as fast as I can walk. Four or five of us could do it in an hour or 2. Any volunteers? Got a good time? There is no hunting at MMCC, so it would be good to have this trail in prime shape this fall.

[Thad Hallberg]

I had the same issue a couple of weekends ago. Glad that the little orange ribbons were still marking the route. Seems like I mentioned the leaves to either Steve or Vaughn and they had a the same thoughts. I could borrow a gas blower and join the brigade. I'm fairly open with times.

[chrismaltby]

I know you have safety issues in mind, but it's my opinion that the best thing for a trail in a state with sandy soil is to leave the leaves alone and ride them into the trail. Trails that have this natural detritus left in place will set up firmer, handle more water and need less re-routing. This is based on nothing but my observations and is in no way scientific.

Chris

[Jeff_Adamcik]

From my view point, there is nothing like riding a freshly raked trail and I was out there today and must say that was the most enjoyable ride I've had on the MMCC. Chris their is still enough leaves on the trail that should keep both view points happy.

[Di_bear]

Is there something TCs could use to break up the leaves rather than remove them?

[G.Cook]

mulching mower .

[Di_bear]

mulching mower .

Thank you. Do we have any TCs who use these? This discussion came up at the MAYTAG conference just in conversation, and I thought about this.

[jrshome]

Don't know about this trail, but the leaves out at Brighton have been a death trap for the last couple of weeks......

[wrong_way_eddy]

Thanks for the good comment Jeff. The trail is blown clear of leaves and in great shape. To those of you unfamiliar with this trail, the soil consists of gravel and clay. I don't think you could pulverize a leaf enough to make it penetrate this stuff! Enjoy the ride!!!!

[zippy]

Rode the MMCC trail yesterday and again today - it's in great shape!

[chrismaltby]

mulching mower .

Thank you. Do we have any TCs who use these? This discussion came up at the MAYTAG conference just in conversation, and I thought about this.

The deck would have to be set very high to not hit rocks and roots and what not and would not mulch so good. The Ithaca trail now has one sandy section. This is a clay based trail. It was due to over leaf blowing and racking. I saw this occur as I rode this trail 3 days a week or so for a few summers. Jeff is probably right. There is enough leaf litter out there, but year after year antiseptic leaf blowing will hurt the trail. This is just something that needs to be managed.

Chris

[scat silvurz]

With the dry spring we've had, the trails that have had much of the leaf debris removed, or have hardly any leafy winter deposits, have not suffered any deleterious effects at all [novi tree farm + maybury] - contrary to the hand wringers who would tell you otherwise. You could argue that this spring is a true freak of nature [It is!], but, like anything else, be mindful of your soil conditions - some trails can handle the leaf removal, and some can't, it's up to you to figure that out.

[chrismaltby]

With the dry spring we've had, the trails that have had much of the leaf debris removed, or have hardly any leafy winter deposits, have not suffered any deleterious effects at all [novi tree farm + maybury] - contrary to the hand wringers who would tell you otherwise. You could argue that this spring is a true freak of nature [It is!], but, like anything else, be mindful of your soil conditions - some trails can handle the leaf removal, and some can't, it's up to you to figure that out.

Despite my love for detritus, MMCC is is very good shap -- or it was two weeks ago.

[zippy]

Rode MMCC today, and it's in awesome shape... even without any detritus!