Hey All, it's UPDATE time. We've had some great discussions with the Township, and things are moving along great. After a site visit and discussions, I've been able to suss out a VERY PRELIMINARY trail layout. It's basically two loops, Red and Blue, that intersect at an existing two-track access road - this is the Initial Trailhead, for all practical purposes. The park will be under development, so we're working out a scenario where people who drive to this trail will be able to park in one of the vacant lots along 6-mile, ride up thru the neighborhood, and access the trail. Over the next few weeks, I'll be using GPS route information to mark out the trail, and figure out where the trail really wants to go. It's easy to lay out on the computer, but as you all know, the site dictates the layout - so that's the real work. The red loop is about 1.3 miles and the blue loop is about 3.8 miles, but how long the trail will be will be anyone's guess.
I will say that I will strive not to turn this trail into a small-intestine, in an attempt to max out the mileage - I hate that crap. Flow and fun is way more important than raw maximum mileage. The terrain out there ranges from mature forest canopy ravines, grassy meadows, orchards, gently rolling terrain, extensive rock piles, ridges, swales, etc - it's a very dynamic landscape that offers much with regard towards compelling trail designs. When I have a better handle on where the trail can go/not go, I'll post up here to enlist the vast forces of the MMBA to help construct what will be a terrific trail. Here's a few images to pique your interest further:
