MCMBA: Proud Lake

[davedejonge]

All loops are in great shape with a few muddy spots in the typical places. Nice riding, Face Slappers aren't grown yet, no skeeters yet. get out and ride!

Did notice a tent up on loop 4 just after you cross to the east of Childs lake rd... anyone else see that?

[ssabin]

I saw that tent the other evening - I guess it was the 27th. Didn't stop to check it out at all, but thught it could be a homeless shelter since it has a nice "view" of the junkyard.

[davedejonge]

I thought given the history of that area that it might be base-camp for a grow op. - kinda cold yet thought.
who knows.
pretty lousy campsite though.

[Hermannator]

Big tree down on loop 3 on a down hill. Horses have created a reroute to the left (or right if you coming from loop 2). Trail is pretty, but chopped up.

[Builder-Bill]

The Trail is in Great Shape dry and fast, we trimed it back yesterday.
Bill and Sam The Trail Dog TC

[ihateplaindave]

Thanx, Bill. We rode it on Sunday and: perfection (one tree down on Loop 2 somewhere). Everyone needs to ride it before the bugs come out.

[J/C]

Rode loops 1, 2 and 4 until the Kensington connector. Everything is dry and clear.

[Spinwheel]

Loop 3 has 3 trees down, the last one at the top of the first steep climb.. none were super-big. L4 to the K-connector was clear and dry.

[bleve]

Rode this trail for the first time last night, lots of nice riding with some surprisingly good scenery. Only problem I noticed was on either loop 3 or 4 (I wasn't too sure since I forgot to bring my map I had printed off), a little marshy area just before you crossed back over the train tracks there was a tree down that pretty much required a dismount (I tried going over, caught my chain ring). Too bad I don't get to this area more often, wouldn't mind exploring some more. Never saw signs posted for a connector trail (probably a good thing since I didn't have that much time to explore.

[J/C]

To find the connector, you have to be on Loop 4, which is across Childs Lake Rd from Loop 3. Once on Loop 4, ride CCW until you see the sign that says "Kensington" and points to the right. Sounds like you were on Loop 3.

The trail sign for Loop 1 was knocked down by a truck the other day, I stood it back up, was going to dig a new hold and rebury it then the next day it got knocked down and really ran over and broken. An arrow and the "Garden Rd" sign are busted in half. It's in my front yard now, I'll try to patch it back together.

I'll try to get to the trees on Loop 3 tomorrow after work, time to test out my "chainsaw backpack" idea.

John

[bleve]

Thanks for the directions. I just looked at my GPS track from my phone (just learning how to use it) and I was on loop 4 I'm pretty sure. I think I see the connector trail through the fields on Google maps or are you supposed to follow roads and I'm just seeing some private trails?

[J/C]

Here's a map of the connector. It will take you from Loop 4 through the woods (on Metropark land) to the entrance to Kensington on Milford Rd by Baker's, Holden's and the Dairy Queen. From there you could got south into the park and over to Island lake or North on the paved path to the Milford Trail. Or turn back around around and have a nice climb back to Proud Lake.

[davedejonge]

To find the connector, you have to be on Loop 4, which is across Childs Lake Rd from Loop 3. Once on Loop 4, ride CCW until you see the sign that says "Kensington" and points to the right. Sounds like you were on Loop 3.

The trail sign for Loop 1 was knocked down by a truck the other day, I stood it back up, was going to dig a new hold and rebury it then the next day it got knocked down and really ran over and broken. An arrow and the "Garden Rd" sign are busted in half. It's in my front yard now, I'll try to patch it back together.

I'll try to get to the trees on Loop 3 tomorrow after work, time to test out my "chainsaw backpack" idea.

John

John I've done the chainsaw in a backpack before, it works fine. I put the business end out the top and had the motor in the backpack.
I could ride the whole trail this way, though, I noticed the extra weight by the time I was done.

[J/C]

Well, I rode all of loop 3 with chainsaw, one viny tangle and one small tree cleared. I probably could ride the whole trail with the setup, but it would not be easy. I used an older internal frame backpack and it did prove to be a stable carry method.
John

[Loren]

Thanks! (Please record your volunteer time)