bcaverly
June 24th, 2003, 12:48 PM
Hi folks,
Here is my first report of Black Hill Park conditions in my role as trail liason. I spent an hour or so exploring last night in the main part of the park (I did not get to the Ten Mile Creek section to the north/west of the park):
The Black Hill Trail is in pretty good shape - firm to slightly soft, but with a few muddy patches. In general it is rideable but please do not ride around mud patches and cause problems with trail widening.
Unfortunately the Hard Rock and Field Crest Spur are currently closed as a result of the construction of a new maintenance yard for the park. The construction will not be completed until December but hopefully we can convince the park to complete the needed re-routes and re-open these trails before then, since the current closure eliminates significant mileage. (Note this closure applies to all users; bikers, hikers and equestrians - do not ignore the fencing). This closure is a real shame as these sections of trail are mostly very rocky (hence the name) and should be in very rideable condition. I will post an update if/when I get any info on the planned re-opening of these trails.
The Cabin Branch Trail on the west side of the park road is rideable east of the stream. All of the springs and streams (5 of them) that intersect this trail along the section heading northwest from the 3 way intersection are flowing and hence there are some significant mud patches to be crossed. Again, these are rideable, so please do not attempt to go around them.
The muddy areas on this trail will take several more days to dry out significantly (to their normal conditions) since they are spring fed and the springs will not stop flowing until the groundwater levels have dropped significantly.
The section of the Cabin branch Trail that decends to the swinging bridge is in good shape east of the stream except for the typical mud patch next to the stream at the bridge. The Stream has obviously been well over its banks recently based on the amount of debris trapped ON the bridge - stream level must have been at least 2' above normal.
DO NOT RIDE WEST OF THE STREAM! This section of the trail is in trouble. The usually dry stream that flows down the hill west of the main stream has left it's usual banks and is now flowing down the middle of the trail for about 200+ yards. This has caused significant erosion and left lots of high exposed roots and holes in this trail. I will be trying to contact the park about this section, since I believe it needs to be closed and rerouted. Phil and I saw evidence of a potential problem here in the early spring - it has now progressed beyond 'potential'. There is also plenty of evidence of trail damage or at least mud patches being churned up by equestrian activity (and a few tire tracks) in this section of the trail - the second stream crossing has had a section of the embankment knocked down to allow horses to climb the stream bank. (This appears to have been very deliberate and may have been done by the park to allow horses to cross rather than re-routing to cross the stream at a different location.)
I did not explore the Ten Mile Creek area to the west for lack of time. Since much of those trails run over the hills through grassy meadow areas I expect they are in fine shape.
Overall, there are rideable trails at Black Hill but please stay off of the sections I mentioned until they have dried out. Long term there are some definite issues that need to be addressed.
Thanks all and happy riding!
Bob
Here is my first report of Black Hill Park conditions in my role as trail liason. I spent an hour or so exploring last night in the main part of the park (I did not get to the Ten Mile Creek section to the north/west of the park):
The Black Hill Trail is in pretty good shape - firm to slightly soft, but with a few muddy patches. In general it is rideable but please do not ride around mud patches and cause problems with trail widening.
Unfortunately the Hard Rock and Field Crest Spur are currently closed as a result of the construction of a new maintenance yard for the park. The construction will not be completed until December but hopefully we can convince the park to complete the needed re-routes and re-open these trails before then, since the current closure eliminates significant mileage. (Note this closure applies to all users; bikers, hikers and equestrians - do not ignore the fencing). This closure is a real shame as these sections of trail are mostly very rocky (hence the name) and should be in very rideable condition. I will post an update if/when I get any info on the planned re-opening of these trails.
The Cabin Branch Trail on the west side of the park road is rideable east of the stream. All of the springs and streams (5 of them) that intersect this trail along the section heading northwest from the 3 way intersection are flowing and hence there are some significant mud patches to be crossed. Again, these are rideable, so please do not attempt to go around them.
The muddy areas on this trail will take several more days to dry out significantly (to their normal conditions) since they are spring fed and the springs will not stop flowing until the groundwater levels have dropped significantly.
The section of the Cabin branch Trail that decends to the swinging bridge is in good shape east of the stream except for the typical mud patch next to the stream at the bridge. The Stream has obviously been well over its banks recently based on the amount of debris trapped ON the bridge - stream level must have been at least 2' above normal.
DO NOT RIDE WEST OF THE STREAM! This section of the trail is in trouble. The usually dry stream that flows down the hill west of the main stream has left it's usual banks and is now flowing down the middle of the trail for about 200+ yards. This has caused significant erosion and left lots of high exposed roots and holes in this trail. I will be trying to contact the park about this section, since I believe it needs to be closed and rerouted. Phil and I saw evidence of a potential problem here in the early spring - it has now progressed beyond 'potential'. There is also plenty of evidence of trail damage or at least mud patches being churned up by equestrian activity (and a few tire tracks) in this section of the trail - the second stream crossing has had a section of the embankment knocked down to allow horses to climb the stream bank. (This appears to have been very deliberate and may have been done by the park to allow horses to cross rather than re-routing to cross the stream at a different location.)
I did not explore the Ten Mile Creek area to the west for lack of time. Since much of those trails run over the hills through grassy meadow areas I expect they are in fine shape.
Overall, there are rideable trails at Black Hill but please stay off of the sections I mentioned until they have dried out. Long term there are some definite issues that need to be addressed.
Thanks all and happy riding!
Bob