CRAMBA: Pontiac Lake

[b_b]

His name is Mucky after all. Don't sweat it. Riding after some rain is nothing compared to the spring thaw ruts some yahoos made out there.

[irishpitbull]

The whole world may end if you ride a damp trail.

[kcnado]

Riding after some rain is nothing compared to the spring thaw ruts some yahoos made out there.

I know it's off key a bit, but people who aren't regular riders or members of this forum typically don't understand that riding in the rain, on a wet trail or during a thaw will hurt the trail.

This past March, I was telling some new Michiganders where the good spots are to ride, and that it gets pretty sloppy during the freeze-thaw or after big storms. Before I got to my point of "don't ride during these times", they all got excited because the thought of riding through mud was appealing to them. To most newbies or novice riders, caring for the trail seems to be the last thing on their mind. Admittedly, I used to be just as naive until I was told otherwise. Just keep that in mind... education is key! The new "ARE YOU MUD" signs worked great at some trails this year - I saw people leave Lakeshore after reading them.

Point being, I would hope that most of the thaw ruts are made from people that just don't understand yet

[KLydesdale]

FWIW: the trail was in really good shape last evening. Despite all the concern about puddles expressed above, neither I nor my bike got even a bit splattery.

[richcon40]

Ride last night was great. Conditions were perfect, even dusty at some points. The reroute away from the washed out gully were a nice surprise.

[compacted_graphite]

The Friends of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a cooperative group of interested park users, will be having a Work Day on Saturday, June 2, 2012, from 10 am to 1 pm. The Friends group includes user groups that include the mountain biking community, the equestrian community, trail runners, orienteering groups, hunters, and model airplane flyers.

The target of this work day will be cleanup of the horse stable area including picking up trash, cutting back brush, and removing fence posts. Leather gloves and bug spray are recommended. A pizza lunch is included.

Questions? 248-666-1020

[Doc_d]

The target of this work day will be cleanup of the horse stable area

This should be interesting....

[Critter7r]

The Friends of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, which is a cooperative group of interested park users, will be having a Work Day on Saturday, June 2, 2012, from 10 am to 1 pm. The Friends group includes user groups that include the mountain biking community, the equestrian community, trail runners, orienteering groups, hunters, and model airplane flyers.

The target of this work day will be cleanup of the horse stable area including picking up trash, cutting back brush, and removing fence posts. Leather gloves and bug spray are recommended. A pizza lunch is included.

Questions? 248-666-1020

I think a mod should tow this to the Volunteers Needed section. Or maybe a horse-friendly website.

[MediumRB]

Beautiful day on the trail.
I got to 12 Minute Overlook in 11:30.
The new switchback is working in nicely.

[mdswmich]

Rode today, gorgeous day, great conditions.

[smartblast.org]

Most of the trail on the north side of the park road is marked for poison ivy (orange) so try and stay away. Will try and mark the south side in the next week. The warm weather has been great for some rapid growth. Already got it once this year and will keep the Zanfel handy.

[c0nsumer]

Most of the trail on the north side of the park road is marked for poison ivy (orange) so try and stay away. Will try and mark the south side in the next week. The warm weather has been great for some rapid growth. Already got it once this year and will keep the Zanfel handy.

Sorry, but what is this? Is poison ivy pained orange to make it more visible or something?

[smartblast.org]

So you can stay away from it as some is hanging over the trail and so the trail coordinator can see how bad it is and figure out how to control it.

[Mucky]

Most of the trail on the north side of the park road is marked for poison ivy (orange) so try and stay away. Will try and mark the south side in the next week. The warm weather has been great for some rapid growth. Already got it once this year and will keep the Zanfel handy.

I'm not sure what this means either. I rode yesterday and noticed a few orange flags at the end of the trail on the new switchback section, but no orange anything anywhere else. And what park road?The one the trail crosses about halfway through?

The trail is getting overgrown though. Lots of body slappers(face, knee, etc).

[oldkhs]

I saw plenty of orange paint on leaves, thanks for highlighting that. Will be helpful.

Trail was in great shape yesterday, although a bit hot.... Glad most of it is in the shade.