MCMBA: Island Lake

[irishpitbull]

How does it look out there?

[bespoke]

Trail is absolutely good to go. There are a few soft spots which were previously pizza cuttered but they're now firm enough to ride. With enough traffic they will be completely smoothed out by this weekend.

Rode ILRA (frozen) with spikes all winter and was worried that the warm temps had encouraged too many people to ride when it was soft but most of the problem areas are now in great shape.

The creek is fairly high and encroaching upon the trail at Blue mile 2.5 just beyond the 180 following Spring Mill Pond, stay far right.

There are 2 trees down on Blue. The first is ~1/2 mile after entering the woods beyond the flat rail road track run and the 2nd is approx 1 mile beyond that (you can bypass this one to the left if you see it soon enough).

There's 1 tree down on yellow along the river near mile 4.5 - 5.0.

Ironically, one of the wettest sections is about 50' into the trail! My seat post was clean today so don't let the early moisture scare you off.

[fsr1]

Thanks! I'll get those trees taken care of.

[FREEDOM35]

I rode Island Lake yesterday after initially setting out for a measly paved path trip (with a few dirt trails/service drives) from Commerce. When I got to the last stages of Island Lake's paved path, I had to jump onto the trail to check out the conditions. The trail is in great shape so fast after the downpour we had on Tuesday. I did walk some spots, but that's because I didn't want to get any mud on my new whip (we'll see how long that lasts).

[Hermannator]

Yes, Island Lake is very good. Had to resist the temptation to avoid the ruts, but tried to ride over them to wear them down. Just a couple of bad spots. Did not do the section by the concrete bridge, so can't comment. Tree down about mile 5 on Yellow. And the sand has returned!!!

BTW. Bring mosquito spray if you plan on stopping.

[Dave L]

What the *beep* are those buggers doing out so early? Dang!

[fsr1]

I've contacted the park about these trees. If they don't get to them first, I'll will this weekend.

[Paul Brown]

What the are those buggers doing out so early? Dang!

Plan on a big year for all insects, mild winter.....

[pongomoto]

We did a blue, yellow, blue and then yellow yesterday without taking the connector...back thru the parking lot every time. We were very surprised to see the area by the concrete bridge to be bone dry. The only place we rode around was that are with the small wooden bridge right before the beach on the blue. We hopped up on to the road and then dropped back on the trail before the road turns right. Then after the beach where you go back into the woods we had to ride around two small mud holes. Other than that the trail was great. Was crazy to see so much sand in March.

We got done around 7pm and for being parked in the middle of the parking lot we sure did get swarmed by a lot of blood suckers while post ride chatting. But man I still can't get over that I took the garbage down the driveway last night at 10pm and I was still wearing a t shirt and shorts.

[Sparty]

ILRA DNR - the McCabe Rd connector trail that joins Blue just past Spring Mill Pond is once again flooded on the backside of the large sand dune that separates SMP from the south side of the property. Is there any way to look at this & see what it would take to drain that excess water? It was a real problem last year as well. It seems as though the lakes/ponds are very low this year yet the creeks & canal water levels are up.

[fsr1]

ILRA DNR - the McCabe Rd connector trail that joins Blue just past Spring Mill Pond is once again flooded on the backside of the large sand dune that separates SMP from the south side of the property. Is there any way to look at this & see what it would take to drain that excess water? It was a real problem last year as well. It seems as though the lakes/ponds are very low this year yet the creeks & canal water levels are up.

I've never followed that trail out. I'll take a look and bring it up to the park.

[Sparty]

there's a canal or waterway of some sort - definitely man-made - that became very high last spring. DNR did something downstream last summer & it immediately lowered & became ridable until we got some real heavy rain in the fall & it flooded again. has been underwater ever since.

[Steve_Balogh]

ILRA DNR - the McCabe Rd connector trail that joins Blue just past Spring Mill Pond is once again flooded on the backside of the large sand dune that separates SMP from the south side of the property. Is there any way to look at this & see what it would take to drain that excess water? It was a real problem last year as well. It seems as though the lakes/ponds are very low this year yet the creeks & canal water levels are up.

It's been like that for quite some time, in fact there's tons of water surrounding the whole Spring Mill Pond area that hasn't lowered since last year. Not sure where the DNR would drain excess water to. The area you are speaking of often can be ridden through. Another option is to create a path up that small hill/embankment where the water starts crossing the trail.

[Sparty]

ILRA DNR - the McCabe Rd connector trail that joins Blue just past Spring Mill Pond is once again flooded on the backside of the large sand dune that separates SMP from the south side of the property. Is there any way to look at this & see what it would take to drain that excess water? It was a real problem last year as well. It seems as though the lakes/ponds are very low this year yet the creeks & canal water levels are up.

It's been like that for quite some time, in fact there's tons of water surrounding the whole Spring Mill Pond area that hasn't lowered since last year. Not sure where the DNR would drain excess water to. The area you are speaking of often can be ridden through. Another option is to create a path up that small hill/embankment where the water starts crossing the trail.

2 seasons ago it was dry all year. the problem didn't really crop up til last year. a riding buddy & i are considering your idea - we've talked about it & just need to find the time to do it. doesn't look like it would take too much effort given the soft soil.

[bespoke]

2 seasons ago it was dry all year. the problem didn't really crop up til last year. a riding buddy & i are considering your idea - we've talked about it & just need to find the time to do it. doesn't look like it would take too much effort given the soft soil.

Let me know if you need a hand as I use that entrance regularly. There's a pretty good cut line getting established so it may just require a slight re-contour of the upper lip. Not sure it would be rideable in the "up" direction though!