Owosso- Hopkins Lake Info

[raptorTC]

Alright. I was thinking it wasn't your work since they were randomly placed and weren't really serving as a re-director or anything. I'll keep an eye out for more stuff like that.

[AllMountin']

Bob, I had just ridden out there yesterday after work, and found those same trees down. Notably, about a two inch diameter tree at the blue/yellow intersection above Satan's Hill. I removed a bunch of small trees and/or large branches throughout the trail, a few of which were blatantly placed across it. The entire trail was free of deadfall when I left, probably early yesterday evening, so the violator must have been out between then and when you/Tyler rode it.

I did notice the poison ivy penalty is back around part of the skinny, and there is a stretch in the Baker field that it nips at your ankles.

I placed a piece of deadfall on the downhill side of the tree near the start of the new yellow section we cut in. I noticed someone had placed duff over the bandit line, so it was just an added deterrent. I wouldn't be surprised if the line on the top of the hill gets reopened by dog walkers, as has the fall line climb/descent in the SE section.

[owosso bob]

I talked to the head of the parks and rec last night and told him what is going on out there and after talking I informed him that I was going to call the assistant city manager and tell him I am no longer going to work on this trail . So they will need someone to take over . I want to thank everyone who has helped me over the 4 years plus as I tried tried to make this a viable MTB trail .

[AllMountin']

Sorry to hear, Bob. Thanks for your efforts. I'm sure you are plenty busy with Sleepy Hollow anyway, but you've done a heck of a job with the Kiwanis trail.

It's nice having a local trail right in our back yard. It's unfortunate that the city is not more supportive.

[raptorTC]

Thanks for everything you've done out there Bob. I, and my friends that I ride with that aren't members here, really appreciate everything you've done out there. Everything from maintenance to cutting new trails, the trail wouldn't be the same without you.

[AllMountin']

Rode all but the blue field section(scared of the PI) for the first time since the wind storm. Predictably, there were a few items across the trail, but much less than anticipated. Stopped a half dozen times or so to clear low branches and deadfall. Otherwise, things were quite passable. The section of yellow that runs from the boardwalk, South to the hill down to the swamp, could use a li'l trimming, as well as some of the tighter stuff on blue. Also, in the SE corner, after you cross the skinny bridge over the PI moat and climb the steepish hill, the section on top of the hill could use a trim.

Large tree down on blue, next to the fence line on the South property line. East of Satan's hill where the yellow/blue intersect(not right above the hill, but the 2nd intersection). I aim to cut it out, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. I'll probably trim a bit while I'm out, time permitting.

Signage is looking good out there, and seems easy to follow. My only lament is that some of the now unused connectors have been blocked off w/deadfall. I understand the aim, which is to simplify the routing and make the layout easier to follow. Probably beneficial, in the grand scheme, but I liked to add the clockwise SE section on to the Red(formerly white) loop. Also, the SW corner of yellow- with the three side by side hills- has been reduced to a single hill, with the others blocked. I was probably the only one running them anyway, because I like to punish myself. The change probably suits most trail users. Note that I'm not really complaining, just commenting on the changes.

Pretty solid riding out there, if a bit dry in spots. I washed out and crashed when trying to take a right 90 on blue.

[raptorTC]

I'm sad to hear that some of the random connectors are closed. I like to use them to change up loops a bit so I wasn't just running the same loop over and over when I was fishing for extra miles out there. But if its for the good of the trail then I'm fine with it. I'm sure I'll find a new way to connect everything together, plus I should wait till I can ride it before I bring forward any opinions. Also, it sounds like we ride the skinny over poison ivy in different directions. Interesting. Jk. Just saw the Strava log and saw you rode it both ways.

I'm looking forward to getting back out there. The Ann Arbor loop is nice and all, but I'll always have a soft spot for my first trail rides out at Hopkins.

[AllMountin']

The aforementioned tree has been removed. From there, moving counter-clockwise on blue, I trimmed past the skinny bridge and through the section on top of the hill. Should stay slapper free for a bit.

As always, my trail work comes with a satisfaction guarantee, or your money back.

[AllMountin']

Was able to ride the whole thing Counter-Clockwise today. No ill effects from the rain. The blue field section is impassable, due to some vine infested deadfall blocking the path. Otherwise, things are pretty good. Looks like someone pulled down some small trees on the blue/yellow toward the East, where the trail travels through the smallish thorny trees.

Went 0-8 against the hill that shall not be named. Bad day at the office.

The scout was out, putting in a sign/map at the East entrance.

[raptorTC]

Had my first ride out there in over a month today. Everything is looking good and the trail is in good shape. Kudos to those who have been out doing the trimming. I had forgotten how rooty and rocky some of the sections out there were after riding the pretty much smooth trails in Ann Arbor. Definitely not a complaint about that though, I love it!

Only two of the trails I use was a casualty of the closures and even then they were minor little shortcut trails. One was the little connector shortcut that connected the White(err, red I guess) to the section that lead to the new-ish section that was cut last year.The other was the shortcut that included the two railroad ties over the puddle on the way up to the south east section, although the deadfall wasn't placed until after the ties. Now I just have to be not lazy and ride a little further down to the actual trail.

The signs look nice and I'm sure they'll help hikers and people who are new to the trail. I'll probably just continue riding my custom hodge-podge of a loop that I've put together though.

[AllMountin']

Trail tread is in prime shape after the rains. No mud or slickness, with the exception of the wet wood. Had a refreshing ride in the light rain/mist. There are three trees down. Two on yellow. One on red. All can be ridden IIRC. I keep forgetting to load the saw into the truck.

Moderate slappers, though I did knock back the thorns in the field section that leads to the SE corner. That patch of prickers had been shredding my left arm for weeks. Had to go.

[AllMountin']

Finally made it out today with the saw. With the exception of the field by Baker, trail should be clear of significant deadfall.

[raptorTC]

Running pretty well out there, thanks for getting those down trees taken care of. Satan's Hill is having its way with me especially now that its really dry out there. My back tire loses traction every time while I'm trying to make it over those big roots.

[owosso bob]

Went for a walk on the trail tonight and would like to give a big ( thank you ) to whoever moved the bridge over on the yellow loop and redid it . This will really take care of a wet area . The trails are in real good shape . I see someone reopened some of the closed off sections again as AllMountain said they would . Nice job on the signage that the boy scout put up , should be helpful to people .

[volklgirl]

I'm heading down to that area this weekend to ride the Miner trail with my Mom. While there, I'd like to check out Hopkins Lake. Is there a trail map available? Signage good enough for a first timer to not get lost? Suggestions from the regulars?