Muddy Branch

[Chooch]

What's the scoop on the Muddy Branch trails? Are they ridable? Where do you start?

[VFDRider]

I know it has been brought up before, but what exactly is the status of the Muddy Branch Trail (Mont Co. MD)?

[tomn]

Current status is the trail is complete and blazed from 28 to Quince Orchard Rd (northern section of the park). I think they're considering a paved path on the west side of the creek but that's not there. Regardless, the trail on the east side of the creek is open to bikes. Once you pass the Horse Center and cross QO Rd though, the trail alignment is done, and even blazed, but there are three gullies that aren't even close to being rideable. Each gully is waiting for a bridge to be installed, which apparently the county already has already purchased (the standard fiberglass truss bridges they use in county parks). Just waiting for final environmental review or whatever before they install them, probably in the spring or summer of 08.

If you do decide to continue past these gullies (the trail isn't closed per se, but there are signs warning that the trail is incomplete at these gullies) then you can continue to Turkey Foot Road. Past that, they are still building trail and I don't believe the trail is officially open. However, having been on parts of the trail between Turkey Foot and Esworthy, it is a well worn trail that is obviously heavily used by local residents. And there are no stream crossings or gullies that would require bridges that I know of. To get to the trailhead, you have to ride down Query Mill a few hundred yards where you'll see two small bridges. After the second bridge there is a trailhead on your right. Again, the last time I checked there was a sign saying the trail was under construction and not yet open.

Southwest of Esworthy there are currently bike access issues to get from there to the C&O canal. MNCPPC is planning on providing a trail that is open to bikes all the way to the canal, but currently all trails in Blockhouse Point conservation park are closed to bikes.

If you park at 28 (just east of the bridge over Muddy Branch) and ride south, there are a few miles of really nice trail there. You can follow the blue and cross QO Rd, and you can even bypass the first gully by taking a right and heading downhill on a side trail (about 1/2 mile south of QO). That trail will take you down to the creek where you can either stay left and back up to the blue (Muddy Branch Greenway) trail, or you can cross the creek and explore the unmarked trails on the other side of the creek. But once you get to the second gully you'll probably want to turn around. That whole ride from 28, across QO, to the second gully and back will be somewhere around 7 miles. From 28 to QO is about 2.5-3 miles each way.

[jlc115]

Is there an info page on the muddy branch trail with a map/trailhead locations? I'd like to know where it goes through so I can be ready to ride it when it's done. Seems like it's reallllyyy close to my house. :thumbsup:

[memmert115]

I rode the northern section a few times last summer and it made for a decent after work spin. Not sure what condition its in now. The best way I found to get on the trail is from a paved connector trail off Flints Grove Drive between Antigone Dr. and Rich Branch Drive in the Dufief neighborhood. There is another trailhead off a little parking lot on the S side of MD28, where 28 crosses Muddy Branch, but if you go that way you have to ride through a swamp to get to the main trail.

The trail will connect all the way from MD28 to the C&O Canal, and while most of the trail has been blazed, some bridges still need to be built across stream valleys which is what I understand to be the delay in opening it.

[tonycrf]

I haven't ridden it for months either, but it looks to me that they have done work on it. I see new blue markers where it crossed Turkey Foot. Also looks like they have re-installed the Pink flags. It also looks like they are putting up a sign there.

Any word on connecting it to the Canal?

[tomn]

I will be meeting with Ben Sugar in a couple weeks to do volunteer training. I'll ask about it. He said they're planning a work day in the spring to rake the trail between Esworthy and River but I don't know about the status of the section between River and the canal. The Blockhouse Point trail map shows the MB Greenway trail going 0.3 miles south from River but it doesn't seem to get all the way to the canal. I'm planning on riding the full trail (or as much of it as I can) in the next couple weeks to get the full picture. Ben did say they have the three bridges ready for the section between Turkey Foot and Quince Orchard but they're waiting for the final approval (or maybe the $) to build them.

And yeah, I noticed the far north/east end of the trail (at 28) is a mud bog except in summertime when the weather has been very dry (or in the winter when it's frozen). I don't know if they plan on boardwalking that section but it needs it (unfortunately there's nowhere for the trail go to reroute around the low spots there).

[tonycrf]

Yeah, I noticed how muddy that section is too. It would be good to boardwalk it or lay down the stuff they have at Schaeffer. I have ridden it a couple of times from 28 (Dufief) to Esworthy. I have also ridden from River but have not been able to see where they connect. I haven't ridden it since last summer, so don't know if they do connect now. I can't wait until they do. I live on the River Road side and it will be great to be able to go on a nice long ride from my home with only having to ride a little bit down River.

[tomn]

I just rode the section from Turkey Foot to Esworthy and it's a mixed bag. The north side is in pretty good shape but the south end doesn't quite connect with Esworthy -- you have to scramble the last 50 yards or so. And I couldn't find the trailhead on the other side of Esworthy heading toward River. I climbed the hill up to the gas line cut and turned around.

There are a lot of trees down on the trail -- about 15-20 total. Two of them are 2-3 feet in diameter, and at least two of them are multiples (in one case, 5-10 trees all went down in one place, in the other case, the wide canopy of a big downed tree is completely blocking the trail).

At this point, the most rideable section of trail is between Quince Orchard and 28.

[tonycrf]

I've looked for the trail on the other side of Esworthy also and haven't been able to find it. That's the missing link for me! I want to be able to ride from River and connect all the way.

Let us know how your meeting with Ben Sugar goes.

[tomn]

Well here is the latest with Muddy Branch. I attended the volunteer training with Ben Sugar a couple weeks ago. I have also put my name in the hat with MORE to be a co-liaison along with James Corbett. The trail sections from Turkey Foot to Quince Orchard and QO to 28 haven't changed. About a dozen trees are down north of QO (that have been there forever) and will probably be removed this spring. (I will be submitting a trail report and their standard is they need at least 4 feet of clearance to get equipment through the trail if needed.) The three bridges between TF and QO should go in this year (although they also said the bridges would be put in last year). There are still a ton of trees down between TF and Esworthy, but those should also be cleared this spring (already on the to-do list with M-NCPPC). The last 100 yards of trail connecting to Esworthy isn't done, and they have a slight issue there with a gully and the rock grading of Query Mill Road.

South of Esworthy there is a piece of land on the west side of the creek that the county has been trying to purchase but the landowner hasn't agreed. Without that alignment the trailhead will have to be the gas line cut at the top of the hill (across the creek from Query Mill Rd). Unfortunately that means you have to climb the hill on the road. There will be a trailhead on the left side of the gas line at some point that will connect with a partially built singletrack trail to River Rd. From there the alignment to the C&O canal is done except for the last 1/4 mile I think. I haven't been down to that end yet, I have been meaning to explore both sides of River Rd for a while. Hopefully in the next few weeks.

There will probably be one or two trail work days this spring/summer. I will be in touch with Ben to find out when he is going to schedule them and I will post up here.

[VFDRider]

Any more news here?

[tomn]

I emailed Ben and he said he would be OK with someone leading a MORE ride as long as everyone understood the trail is still a work in progress. I have thoroughly explored the trails north and east of Turkey Foot and there are ways around the big gullies now. The bridges still aren't there but it's not as much of an issue.

Between QO and 28 there are many trees down but they're almost all rideable. I reported them to the parks dept because they need to be able to get equipment through the trail in case of emergency. But they haven't removed any of them yet.

South/west of Turkey Foot was a mess the last time I rode there, but it's been a while so I don't know if they have been through there to remove all the blowdowns.

I'd be happy to lead a ride but my weekend calendar is pretty well booked these days. I could lead a weekday lunchtime hookie ride though pretty much any Tuesday if anyone's interested. I just need to get connected with the powers that be about paperwork for leading a ride.

[VFDRider]

While I've ridden it in part before, I'd be interested.

[jlc115]

I'd be interested in a weekend or after work ride. :cool:

[tomn]

I'll see if I can get a kitchen pass for either a weekday evening ride (before dark) or weekend morning.

[VFDRider]

Sounds good

[VFDRider]

I'll see if I can get a kitchen pass for either a weekday evening ride (before dark) or weekend morning.

Although I know its been very wet, still up for it? (once its dry obviously)

[jlc115]

I'm still up for it. :thumbsup:

[tomn]

Actually Muddy Branch drains very well. A few areas closer to 28 are notoriously muddy and the creek crossing near the horse center is bad but that has very little to do with the amount of rainfall.

I'll talk to the boss about the kitchen pass.

[VFDRider]

Rode it from QO rd down toward River Rd - some portions (most?) after Turkey Foot (+ end of Turkey Foot) seemed to be real grown up and or quite primitive still at this point -

[jlc115]

... would be less overgrown if people knew about it. I still think I live next to it yet I haven't the slightest idea where it is.

Will we ever get some sort of group ride on it?

[VFDRider]

I think the parks people would be more inclined to open it up and "promote" it if they had it "finished" in their eyes - the trail head sign at the powerlines in the Query Mill/Esworthy area still deems it "incomplete/under construction - proceed at your own risk" - which is ashame....a few MORE people with rakes and some clipping shears could knock out large portions of that in a day or two's work. They already have the little flags to show you were to go - its only a matter of clearing it (or so it seems)

[Ben Sugar]

I think the parks people would be more inclined to open it up and "promote" it if they had it "finished" in their eyes - the trail head sign at the powerlines in the Query Mill/Esworthy area still deems it "incomplete/under construction - proceed at your own risk" - which is ashame....a few MORE people with rakes and some clipping shears could knock out large portions of that in a day or two's work. They already have the little flags to show you were to go - its only a matter of clearing it (or so it seems)

I'm giving a shameless plug for my volunteer workday here, since I can't post to the trailwork folder, but first:

You're certainly correct that more people would ride once it's complete, however some areas south/west of Esworthy Road still require sidehill excavation. What you may be seeing are areas that have already been constructed, but simply need a haircut and more use. Once the rest of the last bit of the tread is dug, bridges are installed as well as signs/parking areas, the plan is to go through and tidy up our work from the last few years. So the faster we complete the trail between Esworthy and River, the sooner the other pieces fall into line, as I see it.

Towards that end, if anyone is near the Potomac area and can't make it to Austin or Phil's workdays this Saturday at Fairland or Greenbrier, please consider pitching in at this Saturday's workday to provide a MTBer presence/voice at the table for this trail. You'll find information on it here (https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?class=OppSearchResults&recruiterID=1060&orgid=35357&popServ=758&type=all). You can also sign up on that site, or feel free to email me at ben.sugar@montgomeryparks.org to sign up or just ask any questions you might have. Thanks!

Ben Sugar
Trails Volunteer Coordinator
Montgomery Parks

[sugarba]

I forgot to mention that if anyone needs info on how to access specific sections of the M. Branch trail, please let me know. We definitely want to encourage riders to use this trail to keep it open. I can be reached at ben.sugar@montgomerytrails.org, or 301-650-4395. Happy riding.

Ben Sugar
Trails Volunteer Coordinator
Montgomery Parks

[denisvtt]

Ben, I will try to be there tomorrow morning. Not sure I can make it by 9am, but I'll try to find you on the trail. I registered at your site.

Will tools be provided? I do have work gloves.

Another question: is it OK to bring my bike and drag it along?

[sugarba]

Thanks for coming out to help, Denis.

To recap our work for anyone interested in the trail, due to wet ground, we switched to out backup plan for the day. Volunteers fanned out on foot and by bike, clearing the trail of overgrowth, improving crossing markings and either cutting or identifying downed trees as the went - even picked up some trash and made some more progress on a dry-stone retaining wall. Other than a few trees down north of Q.O. Road and one massive tree south of Turkey Foot, the entire built trail should be clear, so please get out there and ride to keep it that way!

Ben

[jlc115]

Some sort of official MORE ride should be put together to get the word out about this trail. I live next to the trail but still have no clue where it is.

[denisvtt]

@Jeff: I'll try to do that in the coming weeks.

Part of the problem to riding that trail as much as others like Schaeffer is that it is an out and back, and a long one at that. It's close to 9 miles so doing it both ways takes close to 2 hours wheels turning.

@Ben: Thanks. I enjoyed it, and thought it was a great trail. I've already ridden it a couple of times, including the Esworthy to River unfinished portion, and I have a ride on Saturday (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17088) that will go through the entire thing.

[VFDRider]

Aside of the obvious snowpocalypse this winter, is there any news on the finishing of this trail or not for the coming spring/summer/fall?

[sugarba]

Aside of the obvious snowpocalypse this winter, is there any news on the finishing of this trail or not for the coming spring/summer/fall?

That depends on how many people come help finish it this Saturday! :thumbsup:

9am-2pm, meet at the Blockhouse Point Parking lot on River Road, for any who are interested.

Details and sign up HERE (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1606&day=2010-5-15). Thanks!

[VFDRider]

*Bump* whats the status on MB Trail? Finished? Being ridden? Overgrown?? Thinkin about a ride on it this week.......

[Dirt]

I'll find out next week.

[denisvtt]

*Bump* whats the status on MB Trail? Finished? Being ridden? Overgrown?? Thinkin about a ride on it this week.......

It is pretty much finished and very much rideable (and ridden) although a couple of sections here and there might need a finishing touch.

A couple weeks ago, the thunderstorms did a lot of damage and there were plenty of trees and limbs on the trail but my understanding is that it is now clear.

Will that be your first time on it?

[VFDRider]

No, I've been on it before many x, just not start to finish. If anything's down I'll certainly try to clear it or pick it up off of the trail. Looking forward to finishing it start to finish.

[tonycrf]

On the steep hill just before Esworthy (when coming from River Road), they have changed the trail some so that's it more rideable. It was a straight up and very steep hill. Now it weaves around a bit.

[sugarba]

*Bump* whats the status on MB Trail? Finished? Being ridden? Overgrown?? Thinkin about a ride on it this week.......

For those of you interested in seeing the rest of this trail complete, join us this Saturday from 9am-2pm to help hopefully complete the very last of the initial treadwork on this 9 mile trail. I'll likely be running a walk-behind ditchwitch to make the rough-cut and volunteers will create the finished product with hand-tools. Meet at Blockhouse Point Conservation Park at 9am.

If you already love this trail, come help complete it! If you've never ridden, take this opportunity to check it out and ride afterwards!

If you're interested, sign up on the first slot on this page (https://ec.volunteernow.com/recruiter/index.php?recruiterID=1060&class=OppDetails&oppGuid=89A97A0D-EF56-45BC-B6F9-B2EF4A2F90C5) under "Schedule." If you're having trouble creating a basic profile, just email me instead at ben.sugar@montgomeryparks.org. Hope to see some MORE members there!

Thanks,

Ben