Poto: Morton-Taylor Trails

[Jay22]

Was out there earlier this afternoon. Cleared a little bit of dead fall but now there are more trees leaning over the trail in a couple of spots. Next time I head out there which will probably be tomorrow morning I'll take a handsaw and some loppers with me. I'll make it a trail work/ride day. I don't have a chainsaw so I can only handle the smaller stuff.

[jwhitey]

It's not too wet to ride?

[Jay22]

Na, as long as you stay out of lucky dawg and it isn't pouring rain, its fine. It gets a little slick on the bridges and where all the leaves are so you have to be aware of that. Its not like a foot of mud or anything. After a couple of days of rain, I would wait for a couple days of dry weather before trying the lucky dawg section. It does get a little mucky back there.

[ibisman]

When you going jwhitey?

[jwhitey]

I went to Hewens Creek. That's a really cool trail. Pretty flat but it's a turn fest. Lot's of drifting on the dew covered grass and leaves.
How about a ride tomorrow?

[SANTA_CRUZ]

I got out there this morning to clear the downed trees on the Crooked Vulture section and halfway into the East loop.
I met Jay22 in the parking lot who showed up to help me and we saw many cars in the parking lot on this nice day
Thanks Jay !

After we cleared the first two, we hiked over to Lucky Dawg and got rid of that tree on one end that was an an
angle (head level) just after/before a long ramp bridge, turning the pieces into a cool new log pile and covered up a problem muddy spot in the process. It turned out nicely and added the 6th logpile to this section (+7 ramp/bridges)
We saw/spoke with Rich on the way out and I believe that he was going to do some more work on the new logpile.

More improvements to be worked on in the coming months, tis the season for trail building/enhancements.

[Jay22]

That new log pile does ride quite well. Its surprisingly smooth actually. I almost want to toss some rocks on it or something! Haha!

Man, today was awesome at the home town trail. That place was packed to the gills. I was tempted to ask all the bikers in the parking lot to stand together so I could take a picture and post it here. Ran into SANTA_CRUZ again today sporting a sweet Van Dessel. I tried to catch back up to you after you passed me in the power field but those *beep* business calls catch me on the trail almost every time. You were long gone.

It was just a great day, that is until my weak-ass tires washed out where Lucky Dawg exits onto the main path on that last hairpin curve. I hit the ground hard, then continued along the trail running into what appeared to be a Mother and her friend, along with a couple of her kids. They were walking Lucky Dawg (They parked their bikes on the main path) and had never seen it before. I stopped so they could pass and they asked a few questions about that part of the trail. They said it was awesome and was one of the coolest things they had ever come across. I told them I would pass the word along to the people responsible for that and they thanked me. So good job SANTA_CRUZ!

Sweet day, can't wait to get back out there. I hope my tires show up soon.

[ibisman]

got a couple laps in before the rain started. a few slick spots but it is all rideable even all the ramps and log piles. Thanks for cutting the downed trees guys.

[Jay22]

got a couple laps in before the rain started. a few slick spots but it is all rideable even all the ramps and log piles. Thanks for cutting the downed trees guys.

[Steve_Balogh]

Did some riding before the big rain today. Some spots were greasy, I flattened out some ruts with my Fatbike, looks like a crossbike went through a few sections. Rode that Maple Section and Snake Leg section. Snake Leg is nice, right along the river's edge (Second pic below).



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[Steve_Balogh]

Yes, the new bandit trail comes very close to a few private properties and residents always get nervous and complain when that happens, sometimes downright irate, so you have to ease their concerns. They think it's going to bring criminals and vagrants into their backyards.

That Maple Trail has a spur that goes directly into a backyard, looks like it was built that way on purpose. It's got signage and nicely built small bridges/boardwalks, is that your work or the "bandit"? Directly opposite, maybe a littleways east across the crushed limestone track by the bridge exists another set of trails bordering private property, looks like the residents did that, I see them returning home almost everytime I ride Morton Taylor.

[scat silvurz]

That bench is incredible.........I fear that it will be vandalized before too long....

[mmrobertson69]

That bench is incredible.........I fear that it will be vandalized before too long....

It was vandalized last winter, but repaired by the sculptor. Everyone who uses the park does their bit to protect it. And the sculptor kinda figured that he was going to have to repair it here and there.

I rode one loop this afternoon, and the trail was in good shape. There were a fair amount of greasy spots, especially on the south loop, but nothing unrideable.

Looks like someone took a leaf-blower to most of the trail. It was very clear and easy to find overall. Thanks to whomever the repsonsible party is.

Keep praying for clear weather as long as possible.

-Mike R

[Jay22]

I'd bet a dollar it was Santa Cruz that did the leaf blowing. I still have to get out there and put a couple of berms in and cover a log pile. I've been so busy that I havent had time, or its raining.

I saw the Snake Leg trail last time I was out, and that was the first time I noticed it. I assume its a bandit trail. Might be people that live close but I'm not sure. I saw the Maple trail as well a while ago. I checked them out only once because I dont want to make the people that live there mad at us mountain bikers.

Oh, Nice Mukluk btw.

[Steve_Balogh]

Oh, Nice Mukluk btw.

Thanks, no Mukluk (2007 Wildfire, DeSalvo vintage). If that's all bandit that guy put a lot of work into it, that's no hack job. All the wood work is clean, well designed and well fastened with woodscrews. The Snake Leg ought to be safe for the neighbors, it's all on the other side of the river.

I'm thinking residents on both sides of that path in that area are doing their own thing. Several months ago I discovered the trail on the otherside of the path and I probably did ride on someone's property. Being right off the bridge I'm sure they'll get more "visitors".