CRAMBA: Clinton River Park Trail (Dodge Park Trail)

[i69whitey]

May 15th St. Heights, Clinton River Park trail day.

hopefully the water will recede by then, pretty swampy out there now,
river is about at path level (or higher in some spots)

[blacksword]

May 15th St. Heights, Clinton River Park trail day.

hopefully the water will recede by then, pretty swampy out there now,
river is about at path level (or higher in some spots)

As long as we don't get too much more rain in the next couple days, it should go down quickly Mike.

[i69whitey]

May 15th St. Heights, Clinton River Park trail day.

hopefully the water will recede by then, pretty swampy out there now,
river is about at path level (or higher in some spots)

As long as we don't get too much more rain in the next couple days, it should go down quickly Mike.

i don't think so, Tim

[blacksword]

May 15th St. Heights, Clinton River Park trail day.

hopefully the water will recede by then, pretty swampy out there now,
river is about at path level (or higher in some spots)

As long as we don't get too much more rain in the next couple days, it should go down quickly Mike.

i don't think so, Tim

Yeah, Aaron and I have been talking daily. We expect flooding to happen over the next couple days, and IF the water recedes by Saturday plan to use the trail day as a clean up from the flooding. If by some miracle, we don't get flooded out like crazy, then its back to our regularly scheduled trail stuff..

As of right now, Saturday is still a go- but check back here for confirmation on Friday the 14th.

[dinov]

Rode out there yesterday evening ,still pretty wet with standing water in some sections there was a semi large dead tree across the trail was able to move off to the side of the trail .

[blacksword]

This Saturday's planned trail day is now CANCELED.

Water is significantly too deep throughout the park to do anything atm.

[chip80]

Was out there tonight. South end of the trail is ride-able. North section still has some water that made it impassable riding south to north. Probably will be 100% dry in 2-3 days unless we get rain. Lots of trimming is needed too.

[E-Man]

rode tonight. The area just east of the vandyke expressway was nice and fast but the further in I went there were some nice greasy muddy sections. As you get closer to the trail that was cut last year things firm up again. I was nice to be able to ride trail all the way through with just jumping on the paved path for a short time. Looks like some hard work has been put in trying to shore up area that cross over running water. I think the trail is coming along nicely - especially considering the fact that the whole area is prone to flooding. There is a tree down about halfway in where there is tons of poison ivy. Remember to apply plenty of repellent - those blood suckers did a number on my back - got me through my jersey. If some re-routes or boardwalks can be created in the muddy/wet prone areas this will become a pretty good ride.

[Weihs]

I've had the pleasure of getting out on this trail a few times recently. I've seen bike tracks in the past, but always felt like I had the trail to myself. This past Saturday it was good to run into a couple of other bikers, Chris from Frasier Bike and Aaron Burgess, each riding separately. Also saw a couple of cross country runners on the trail. Great to see the trail getting used. The "swampy" section between the Edison court portion of the trail and the new local trail tie-in was surprisingly ridable. The worst parts of the trail, still very greasy and mud-ridden remains the parts leading up to the crane. Unfortunately there is significant widening of the trail occurring around these low spots. As I passed him Aaron said he planned to take care of the low spots in the next week or so, not sure of his plans. After the recent storms there are a couple of trees on the trail, most notable is a small tree completely blocking the way on the newly cut portion. Planned to bring a pair of clippers to handle that along with some face slappers out near the DPW loop, but forgot them and not sure how long I could stand the bugs without moving, anyway! The trail is a lot of fun and nice to have right here in SH. Thanks again to John, Aaron and the MMBA for their work out there!

[Weihs]

I took care of some of the "face slappers" by the DPW loop on my ride tonight and cleared the re-route around the fallen tree on the newly cut trail, the bugs are bad. Fun riding, not fun trail fixing! BTW, if you have a light, this trail is a lot of fun to ride at dusk!

[Weihs]

Made a map of the trail - unofficial. Better map(s) on the way I'm sure, but this should be enough to show folks where to park and where to find the trail head.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lumessence/4747320521/

[ihateplaindave]

Two-way trail?

[blacksword]

Two-way trail?

Yes, two way out and back. We expect to be under development on this trail for several years.

[Sortaslow]

Nice trail guys. I was surprised how much single track has been put in. I avoided trying the trail thinking it wouldn't be worth the bother- I'm glad I was wrong! What a blast and so close to home. Really love the continuous short but steep up/ down portions. It's like a pump track in the woods.

Wow, the red bands are really needed as there is quite a bit of existing trail which ends up going nowhere.

Question...when faced with yellow and red I suppose always follow the red. When no red, follow yellow? Was yellow something existing or last years work?

Come check this place out people! My apprehension was unfounded.

[Weihs]

Question...when faced with yellow and red I suppose always follow the red. When no red, follow yellow? Was yellow something existing or last years work?

Sortaslow,

The yellow was existing, been there for years as I understand it. The red (and orange) is all MMBA, including the spray painted arrows. I agree it is necessary because of the confusion with existing trail and in some areas the lack of ground vegetation to highlight the trail, particularly at dusk. I suspect that this trail will forever need confidence markers and planned to talk to Blacksword about that in the near future. I really like the yellow arrows that Tree Farm employs. They allow clear trail demarcation, are strong enough to last (unlike tape) and yet can be moved as the trail is re-routed. Not sure what the city will allow and was really surprised to see the spray painted arrows. Then again I couldn't make the trail days to find out the master plan due to AYSO soccer obligations with the kids (an annual problem for me!)