Trail Maintenance 2008

[escatmore]

May 31, July 19 and August 23

5/31 Loch Raven Trail workday
___________________________________ _____
7:00 AM
On Dulaney Valley Road just north of split with Jarrettsville Pike
Contact: Dave Blum
PM: escatmore ( I'll pass along the info )
Email: djblum at jhmi.edu
cell: 443.392.6132

Bring your smiling face and your favorite tool, uh, implement of trail construction as well as a good set of work gloves and water.

Don’t forget to bring a bike, as we need to ride from the parking spot to the work sites. The site closest to Merrymens Mill Road is a few miles away from where we can park, so a bike will make life easier. Also, we will have three BOB trailers available to help transport the necessary tools. We need adventurous types to tow them for us. You will need a quick release on your rear wheel, bolt-on's need not apply.

Our plan includes clearing fallen trees and associated debris on the Woods Road running between Merrymens Mill Road and Jarrettsville Pike as well as repairing areas of wash-out. We will be working to close a trail that has suffered significant damage from erosion.

Parking at this intersection will be interesting, the road can be quite busy and has limited space, carpooling is always suggested!

Directions for meeting place:
- From the Beltway (I-695 E), take exit 27B for Dulaney Valley Rd/MD-146 N. Merge onto Dulaney Valley Rd/MD-146 and drive for 4.1 miles. After crossing the bridge over the reservoir, the road will split, stay right and look for parking on either side of the road. All other directions can be retrofitted from this Google Map.

dave

[escatmore]

Bring your bike, they'll be towing BOB Trailers!

eric

[escatmore]

We changed the July date. It's now 7-19. see you!

eric

[escatmore]

7:00 AM
The Laurel Woodlands Area ( near the Pines Area ) between the Loch Raven Drive Bridge and the corner of Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Road
Contact: Dave Blum
PM: escatmore ( I'll pass along the info )
Email: djblum at jhmi.edu
cell: 443.392.6132

Bring your smiling face and your favorite implement of trail construction ( shovels, buckets and a wheel barrow or two would be great ) as well as a good set of work gloves and water, maybe a snack or two to share with your friends.

The plan is to work on one of the fireroads that lead up to the cliffs in the Laurel Woodlands Area. We will build a few large rolling grade dips to manage water as it is currently flowing down the fireroad eroding it in an incredible fashion. We plan to harvest soil from the soil mounds at the ends of several clogged drainages along the fireroad created by city maintenance crews some time in the past.

Parking will be available between the Loch Raven Drive Bridge and the corner of Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Road. We'll be parking on the wrong side of the gate ( it gets locked at 10 AM ) but Chief Ranger Luke Brackett will be there to let us out when we're finished. Please park on the water side of the road and get a sign from me indicating you are working on a trail maintenance day so the city doesn't tow you!

Directions for meeting place:
- From the Beltway (I-695), Take exit 28 for Providence Rd, proceed North-northeast to a Left onto Loch Raven Drive, after crossing the bridge find a place to park if you get to Morgan Mill Road you went too far. look a map (http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/6/4/071908.jpg)

eric

[rmac]

sounds like no bobs to tow? see you or Dave out there.

[escatmore]

That's correct, no BOB's, this one's close enough that we'll hike in. A post work ride could be organized... who's up for it?

eric

[bills]

I'll be there to help out.

I have a wheelbarrow but I'm not sure if I can fit in in my vehicle. If it fits, I'll bring it along.

I'd be up for a ride if others are.

Bill

[escatmore]

The city has asked that we please park on the water side of the road and get a sign from me indicating you are working on a trail maintenance day ( put it on your dash ) so the city knows that your vehicle has special permission to be there.

eric

[rmac]

I'll be there w/ one other lr local. I'll bring a WB & some shovels, bucket,...
I think I'll just park at the little lot on Morgan Mill. Bill, we may bring bikes to ride afterwards but haven't decided just yet.

[kdweb]

I have a barrow as well if needed, let me know....0700 good! Get a start on the heat and the 30% chance of T storms.... better mow the grass tomarr:rolleyes:

[escatmore]

I have a barrow as well if needed, let me know

Yep, bring it. Better to have too many than not enough, I think the current count is three if everyone makes it.

eric

[Jersh]

I'm going to *try* to make it... I may end up having to spend the day apartment searching. I should hopefully know by mid-day tomorrow. I don't have any tools to bring so if anyone has an extra shovel or something to bring that I could maybe borrow, that would be great.

[rmac]

I'll be sure to bring an extra shovel.

[bills]

I'll be there; shovel, wheel barrow and bike (just in case).

[Jersh]

Just found out that the place we were hoping to rent has already been rented... Soooo I 'get' to spend another Saturday looking for a new apartment. So I won't be able to make it tomorrow.

[rmac]

Just rode the new water bars - they are holding up great. See you on 8/23.

[bills]

I was curious and wanted to ride up there to see how they were holding.

I wanted to get out today but thought the trails might still be too wet.

So where did you ride? Were the trails very wet/sloppy?

Definitely heading out tomorrow morning.

[rmac]

We went in from the Church lot fri eve & trails were in very good shape. Did seminary & then hit the pines for a couple of climbs & to check out the work on the way down - all looked & rode solid.

[bills]

Trails were great today. I went over to the pines to do those climbs and the "dips" we made look to have held up really well.

The trails overall were in good condition... I thought they would be a little sloppy with sooo much rain but they weren't at all.

[b1umb0y]

7:00 AM
The Laurel Woodlands Area ( near the Pines Area ) between the Loch Raven Drive Bridge and the corner of Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Road
Contact: Dave Blum
PM: b1umb0y
Email: djblum at jhmi.edu
cell: 443.392.6132

Bring your smiling face and your favorite implement of trail construction ( shovels, buckets and a wheel barrow or two would be great ) as well as a good set of work gloves and water, maybe a snack or two to share with your friends.

The plan is to continue work on one of the fireroads that lead up to the cliffs in the Laurel Woodlands Area. We will build a few large rolling grade dips to manage water as it is currently flowing down the fireroad eroding it in an incredible fashion. We plan to harvest soil from the soil mounds at the ends of several clogged drainages along the fireroad created by city maintenance crews some time in the past.

Parking will be available between the Loch Raven Drive Bridge and the corner of Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Road. We'll be parking on the wrong side of the gate ( it gets locked at 10 AM ) but Chief Ranger Luke Brackett will be there to let us out when we're finished. Please park on the water side of the road and get a sign from me indicating you are working on a trail maintenance day so the city doesn't tow you!

Directions for meeting place:
- From the Beltway (I-695), Take exit 28 for Providence Rd, proceed North-northeast to a Left onto Loch Raven Drive, after crossing the bridge find a place to park if you get to Morgan Mill Road you went too far. look a map (http://www.more-mtb.org/galleries/gal_imgs/5/6/4/071908.jpg)

dave

[nugg_dawg]

I went down the "cliffs" trail on my way to the Seminary trails this Sunday and I must say you guys did a great job. Not only what you guys did delay the horrible erosion but also made some nice jumps. As a matter of fact I saw a guy wipeout taking one of these jumps hehe.

I'll check these forums for the next trail work day and try to help out if I'm not working. BTW, I own a chainsaw.

Thanks again!



John

[escatmore]

Plagiarizing an email from young Mr. Blum...

Hey Guys and Gals—

MAMBO has teamed up with the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy to offer a trail maintenance workshop and guided hike for October 18 at 9:30 AM at Loch Raven Reservoir. I have attached the original flyer so that you can look over the details of this event.

The original plan was to work with student volunteers, REI employees, community residents, and trail users with little experience that are interested in learning more about the importance of the reservoir as well as trail maintenance techniques utilized in the watershed.

However, the GVC is not getting quite the volunteer numbers that they desire, so they have opened it up to anyone that interested (not just first timers). If interested, please follow the registration details at the bottom of the appended document.

Please spread the word to those that might also be interested.

Thanks,
Dave Blum

The text of the attachment is here:

Trail Maintenance
Workshop at Loch Raven Reservoir !
Oct. 18, 9:30 to 2 pm

The Gunpowder Valley Conservancy is seeking 40 volunteers!

Why: Our goal is to offer a hands-on learning experience on the proper techniques of trail maintenance, such as rolling grade dips to prevent sediment erosion and improve water quality, a guided nature hike by a Dr. of Biology on natural history and invasive plants within Loch Raven Reservoir, and an educational presentation on the history of Loch Raven Reservoir and the water supply system by the Baltimore City Gov. Watershed Manager. This event is made possible by a conservation grant from REI, Inc., a new partner with GVC, and partnerships forged with the City of Baltimore Reservoir Natural Resources Section and the Watershed Rangers, Maryland Association of Mountain Bike Operators, the Mountain Club of MD, Sierra Club, and the Prettyboy Watershed Association.

Who: No Experience is necessary! We are looking for middle, high, and college level students, REI, Inc. employees, and community residents and trail users ages 12 and up who care about our drinking water, our watershed, and the Chesapeake Bay! Do you like being outside in nature and don’t mind working hard? Do you want to receive community service hours? Then join us, and make a difference for future generations!

When: We will start the workshop at 9:30 am sharp. Please arrive by 9:15 am to sign in/register. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 26.

Where: From 695, take exit 27 –Dulaney Valley Rd. north. Follow for about 3 miles and cross the Dulaney Valley Bridge at the reservoir. Bear right at the light just after the bridge to stay on Dulaney Valley Rd. and go about 2 miles to the old Peerces’s Plantation. At the intersection there, go straight onto Loch Raven Drive. Go about 1 mile to the Pines area just before the small bridge. Park on the water side of road.

Equipment: Remember to wear sturdy shoes, bring a hat, gloves, large shovel and clothes that can get dirty. Bring your own lunch and water.

Registration: Volunteers must register by Oct. 11, (space limited to 40 volunteers). Groups must complete the Volunteer Group Application Form. To register or for questions, contact Peggy Perry, Program Director of Gunpowder Valley Conservancy at 410-668-0118 or at little-owl@msn.com .

Funding provided by a conservation grant from REI, Inc.

Come on out it should be a pretty cool day!

eric

[escatmore]

pay no attention to the 10/11 registration deadline. Send Peg an email, she needs more attendees!!!!

eric