Poto: Rolling Hills Park

[parttime]

I cleared some deadfall, but there was one widow-maker at ~2.5 miles in the disc golf sections. I broke off most of the small branches and you should be able to ride under it for now. It's ~3" in diameter and fairly green wood. I didn't want to try and drag it out or break it without succeeding and making a total mess out of the trail. So it's still there. If anyone plans to ride RHP this week, please bring a small saw to cut out the branch as I won't get a chance to return to RHP until next weekend. Let me know in this forum if you cleared the trail.

Also, there's 6-8" standing water on the trail at the beginning of the disc golf section after you cross the paved path at ~2.25ish miles. PLEASE DON'T RIDE THROUGH THE WATER. I recommend that you veer right on the paved path ~50 yards until you pass the water on your left in the trees and then hop back on the the MTB trail after the water.

Finally, you should DEFINITELY stay clear of the west fence line section after the disc golf sections if there is ANY chance of thaw on the surface. The S-climb up to the fence, the sharp down/up S-bend section (where the large deadfall was last year), the area right before the large log pile and the beginning of the section built last year were all a complete mess. ONLY RIDE THIS SECTION IF EVERYTHING IS FROZEN.

Trail was in great shape Sunday night, but probably a bit wet after the rain we had yesterday/last night. Cleared the tree in the disc golf area on Sunday night. Also between the trailhead and service road cleared a head slapper and associated deadfall, and a leaner that was rotten at the base. There are still quite a small few branches and twigs on the trail, I removed the bigger ones, but it was getting dark and the trail could probably use a raking. I'm up for a trail day.

I did not see any standing water on the trail, and the west fenceline was also in good shape on Sunday.

[michael48197]

Thanks to "parttime" for clearing the widow maker at ~2.5 miles.

I had to get out today on a beautiful spring day, but unfortunately my bike is in the shop for a spring tune-up. So I went for another run at RHP. Looks like the warm weather has thawed most of the permafrost and virtually all of RHP is in great shape. With the rain last night, there are a few slick spots in the usual locations. The only section to avoid is the last part of the west fence line (the newest section) where there is quite a lot of standing water. Please jump off the trail on to the paved path at the old turn off back to the parking lot. Also, the wind last night knocked down a 6" tree after 1.5 miles just after crossing the gravel road. I'll try to get the RHP staff to take care of it, but be careful until then.

[P_Thomas22]

Nice meeting you this evening Michael. I live locally and will always be up for a trail maintence day (work providing)

The trail was in good shape after our heavy rain and wind, just the one big tree down. My milage markers are never going to make sense as the start for me is off Bemis road using the connecting trail. I still havent even had a look at the new fence line trail as i always hop off onto the pavement until I hear its good to ride. Some of the log piles look like they have seen alot of abuse from chain rings, might be nice to add some small logs in to make them back to original. All in all its fantastic to have nice weather and not much permafrost from the mild winter to get a jump start on the season. Happy trails to all!!

[jeepskate]

Great Shape today, should be even better tomorrow

[trailchick123]

Trail is in good shape, and a fun ride today! One downed tree near the pond area, easy to get over. Muddy area along fence line just before the end, right before it spits you out on the paved trail. I walked the bike there to avoid ruts, bail before the mud if you can.

[michael48197]

I met with Steve Wyatt - RHP Superintendent - today to review trail expansion plans at RHP this year. You may have noticed new yellow flags - thanks to Norm Roller - along the old fence parallel to the paved path back to the parking lot and headed west towards Munger Road. Steve and I walked the whole proposed trail - 1+ mile - along the E-W fence, N parallel to Munger, into the area of large mounds in the NW of RHP and back across the meadow to the old gravel pit. Norm did a great job with the layout and Steve agreed that our proposed trail should not conflict with the proposed new disc golf holes. We agreed there may need to be a few minor modifications to Norm's layout as the disc golf holes are finalized this spring. However, he's given the green light and we are good to go to start working on the first section of trail out to Munger. Steve also agreed on an addition to Norm's layout with a modified line encompassing the gravel pit pond which should be pretty fun.

I'll present the final trail plans at the Poto Chapter meeting next Wed. at Arbor Brewing and then we'll begin weekend work days and Trail Work Tuesdays (Mondays?) again. Look to this space and the Yahoo!Group mailing list for announcements and details on trail activity. Assuming all goes well, we should have 1.2 to 1.5 miles of new single track at RHP by the beginning of summer!!!

BTW, the RHP staff removed the fallen tree near the gravel road crossing. Also, avoid the last 200 yards of the trail along the west fence after the climb up from the large log pile. There's still standing water and/or lots of mud about 100 yards from the end of the single track which is very prone to pizza cutter tracks. I think we will end up putting down some gravel/stone in this area with buried PVC pipes for drainage underneath. Steve told me that RHP would be willing to foot the bill for the gravel and provide some equipment to move the stone. Details on this repair work to follow later.

[Steve_Balogh]

I met with Steve Wyatt - RHP Superintendent - today to review trail expansion plans at RHP this year. You may have noticed new yellow flags - thanks to Norm Roller - along the old fence parallel to the paved path back to the parking lot and headed west towards Munger Road. Steve and I walked the whole proposed trail - 1+ mile - along the E-W fence, N parallel to Munger, into the area of large mounds in the NW of RHP and back across the meadow to the old gravel pit. Norm did a great job with the layout and Steve agreed that our proposed trail should not conflict with the proposed new disc golf holes. We agreed there may need to be a few minor modifications to Norm's layout as the disc golf holes are finalized this spring. However, he's given the green light and we are good to go to start working on the first section of trail out to Munger. Steve also agreed on an addition to Norm's layout with a modified line encompassing the gravel pit pond which should be pretty fun.

I'll present the final trail plans at the Poto Chapter meeting next Wed. at Arbor Brewing and then we'll begin weekend work days and Trail Work Tuesdays (Mondays?) again. Look to this space and the Yahoo!Group mailing list for announcements and details on trail activity. Assuming all goes well, we should have 1.2 to 1.5 miles of new single track at RHP by the beginning of summer!!!

BTW, the RHP staff removed the fallen tree near the gravel road crossing. Also, avoid the last 200 yards of the trail along the west fence after the climb up from the large log pile. There's still standing water and/or lots of mud about 100 yards from the end of the single track which is very prone to pizza cutter tracks. I think we will end up putting down some gravel/stone in this area with buried PVC pipes for drainage underneath. Steve told me that RHP would be willing to foot the bill for the gravel and provide some equipment to move the stone. Details on this repair work to follow later.

How much gravel do you need? I still have a small pile of landscape base layer stones , Loren took some from from me earlier for Novi.

[michael48197]

Steve,
Regarding gravel, I want to cover 20-30 yards of trail 4-6" deep and 18" wide. So, I make that 2 to 2.5 cubic yards of gravel/stone. Do you have that much?

On another note, I observed that some jokers have been free wheeling it in the crater at the 1 mile mark. Looks like they have been aiming to make several new lines up and down the walls of the crater. I put some stick and logs in their path, but I doubt they will take the hint. If you are out there and see riders using un-approved lines, please ask them to cease and desist. We don't want to create new erosion paths and allow a free-for-all where riders can go where they like. If you see the sticks and logs have been moved, please block off the bandit lines again. After seeing that happen a few times, I hope they get the message. It's important that we stop this type of activity as I don't want it to spread especially when we cut the trail out in the NW corner along Munger Rd. where there are some amazing mounds and gullys. We'll have to quite careful with the line out there to prevent erosion and avoid the formation of stream beds on VERY soft soils. Thanks.

[Steve_Balogh]

Steve,
Regarding gravel, I want to cover 20-30 yards of trail 4-6" deep and 18" wide. So, I make that 2 to 2.5 cubic yards of gravel/stone. Do you have that much?

On another note, I observed that some jokers have been free wheeling it in the crater at the 1 mile mark. Looks like they have been aiming to make several new lines up and down the walls of the crater. I put some stick and logs in their path, but I doubt they will take the hint. If you are out there and see riders using un-approved lines, please ask them to cease and desist. We don't want to create new erosion paths and allow a free-for-all where riders can go where they like. If you see the sticks and logs have been moved, please block off the bandit lines again. After seeing that happen a few times, I hope they get the message. It's important that we stop this type of activity as I don't want it to spread especially when we cut the trail out in the NW corner along Munger Rd. where there are some amazing mounds and gullys. We'll have to quite careful with the line out there to prevent erosion and avoid the formation of stream beds on VERY soft soils. Thanks.

Wow, that's quite a bit, sorry, at that depth and width it might only be about 10 feet long for what I have. Thought you were talking about a smaller area to contain a single drainpipe.

[parttime]

On another note, I observed that some jokers have been free wheeling it in the crater at the 1 mile mark. Looks like they have been aiming to make several new lines up and down the walls of the crater. I put some stick and logs in their path, but I doubt they will take the hint. If you are out there and see riders using un-approved lines, please ask them to cease and desist. We don't want to create new erosion paths and allow a free-for-all where riders can go where they like. If you see the sticks and logs have been moved, please block off the bandit lines again. After seeing that happen a few times, I hope they get the message.

The jokers are some local kids with bmx bikes, probably 10 years old or so. I ran into them last year, as they were moving logs onto the trail in that area. I asked them to stop doing that, and it seems to have worked. Their first response to me was 'but we ride here every day'. So I also told them about the MMBA, building/maintaining the trail, etc., but their eyes seemed to instantly glaze over. I doubt that moving a small pile of logs in there way will stop them as they will either move or ride over them. A large pile of logs or maybe 'fencing' that side of the crater might be the way to go.

[michael48197]

It's that time of year again - prime trail building weather with enough light, minimal bugs and moderate temperatures. There will be a trail work day at Rolling Hills County Park in Ypsilanti Township this Saturday April 7th from 9 AM to 1 PM.

There are plans to extend the single track trail at RHP 1.2 to 1.5 miles in the NW section of the park along Munger Road. This Saturday we will start the work by adding a single track section - which will become the last section of trail - in the tree line just north of the paved path headed back to the parking lot. When this section is completed, riders will exit the current single track on the west fence, cross the paved path and complete the last 300-400 yards on the new single track instead of the paved path.

Plan to meet at the trailhead parking lot by 9 AM. Please bring lopers, pruners, hand saws and elbow grease. Please also confirm your attendence so I can plan the work day. If enough people confirm in advance, I'll arrange for some lunch and drinks. Wear long pants, long sleeves and bring something to drink and some bug juice just in case they are out already this year.

See you Saturday. Look for my car in the parking lot with the MMBA sign. Watch this forum or the Poto Yahoo!Group mailing list in case of a weather cancellation.

[Mikeyb64]

On another note, I observed that some jokers have been free wheeling it in the crater at the 1 mile mark. Looks like they have been aiming to make several new lines up and down the walls of the crater. I put some stick and logs in their path, but I doubt they will take the hint. If you are out there and see riders using un-approved lines, please ask them to cease and desist. We don't want to create new erosion paths and allow a free-for-all where riders can go where they like. If you see the sticks and logs have been moved, please block off the bandit lines again. After seeing that happen a few times, I hope they get the message.

The jokers are some local kids with bmx bikes, probably 10 years old or so. I ran into them last year, as they were moving logs onto the trail in that area. I asked them to stop doing that, and it seems to have worked. Their first response to me was 'but we ride here every day'. So I also told them about the MMBA, building/maintaining the trail, etc., but their eyes seemed to instantly glaze over. I doubt that moving a small pile of logs in there way will stop them as they will either move or ride over them. A large pile of logs or maybe 'fencing' that side of the crater might be the way to go.

The picnic table that is normally at the end of the crater is in now in the crater. I assumed the RHP staff moved it there(mowing?) but now I'm thinking that's not the case.

[michael48197]

The weather was perfect so the five man crew - Greg, Norm, Fred and Frank and I - made good progress on the trail building today. We were able to complete the 300 yard section of single track just N of the paved E-W path which will serve as the last section of trail. So, now instead of riding the paved path all the way back to the parking lot riders should turn N (left) on the paved path for ~30 yards and E (right) into the wooded treeline and follow the new single track back to the new park road will the single track spills back on the paved path. Finish by turning E (left) on the paved path and follow it around past the water park to the parking lot and trail head. I'm sure the loamy soil will be slow and bumpy at first, but it should ride in pretty quickly as with the rest of RHP when it was built.

The next part of the expansion project will be cutting trail though thick underbrush heading W along the fence line towards Munger Road. Once that 1/4 mile section is cut we can open it by using the west access road to return to the trail finish section. The remainder of the new trail in the NW section of RHP will be reasonably easy to cut as there is little undergrowth in that area. However, we won't be able to open that section up piecemeal, but only we the ~0.75 mile section is complete. Take a spin on the new trail and let me know what you think.

[G.Cook]

Rode the new section 3-4 times. It's gonna be nice. Needs the Fat Tire crew I'm think'n.

[shopsonian]

I recently got back into mountain biking and discovered these trails, bonus that they are close to my house too. They are really great and those who built them have done a great job! I rode the 3 mile singletrack today, but from looking at these notes, it seems like there are more trails...how do I get to them? Also, if anyone wants to ride them after work or weekends sometime, let me know?

Steve