CCT/Colts Neck 10/16,17,18 T-W-Th 3:30-6:30pm

[randyk]

Cross County Trail work - 10/16, 10/17 & 10/18 - Tues-Thurs 3:30-6:30pm

This project was started on our Sept 8th work trip but we need quite a bit more help to finish up and thought we'd try some weekday evenings for a change. Come out for even an hour if you can - or come on your bike and stop for a bit to pitch in. We'll meet at 3:15, start work by 3:30 pm and then wrap up by 6:30 and back to the trailhead by 6:45pm.

We will be continuing our effort to build sustainable natural surface trail along the Fairfax Cross County Trail. The work is on a popular section from Carpers Farm Road (near Route 7 and Colvin Run Mill) and headed south toward Browns Mill Road.

This section is notorious for its mud holes and drainage problems after any kind of wet period. To mountain bikers it's part of the Colts Neck loop and to equestrians it's the CCT connection between Rails to River trail and the W&OD. Our volunteer efforts are what make it possible to maintain these important sections as natural surface, single-track trail.

Projects will include two more re-routes, armoring several drainage crossings and building raised trail. This time the park authority has delivered the stone out on the trail to our work areas! There will be some clearing and pruning, but mostly moving stone. Our objective is to keep the trail singletrack and as natural as possible, using the stone for the specific problem areas only.

Bring: As usual, water, gloves and sturdy shoes. MORE will provide tools but it wouldn't hurt to bring your favorite shovel.

Directions: Take Hunter Mill Road 1/4 mile north of the Dulles Toll Road exit to a right on Crowell Road, continue straight on Crowell (and don’t follow the main road that turns right and becomes Browns Mill), then turn right on Westford Drive, then turn left on Wynhurst Ln and park in the cul-de-sac. If you come after we head out, walk down the asphalt path off the cul-de-sac to the gravel trail, turn left and continue until you find us.

Info/contact: Randy Kerr, MORE CCT liaison, lerrkerr@aol.com, cell (703) 926-6779

[randyk]

The 10/16-10/18 weekday workdays added another 19.5 hours of work and allowed us to complete the important sustainability projects intended. Another 30.25 hours were done on the 9/8 workday, for a total of 49.75 volunteer hours. When work was completed, time was spent to clean up the sites and leave a single track. Several piles of surge and 21A stone remain for follow up work.

On Saturday, 10/27, after three days and 3" of rain, the trail looked very good. This was even after several bikes and two horses had been on the trail by 1pm with the rain only having ended 8-10 hours earlier. There are a couple locations where the trail is cupped and holding water. The horses weight showed clearly the couple short sections where additional base is needed. The highest flow location showed some erosion of the new trail and this should be solved by reinforcing with the stone that remains. A second high flow location was continuing to drain under the new trail (through the stone) showing the design was succesful. We'll be looking to do some follow up work in the upcoming months.

Separately, the sustainability project completed north of Vale Rd 4/29 looked fantastic after the rains, even with standing water to either side of the trail in locations. That project required 58 volunteer hours. The north approach to the small stream will be addressed when the coming fiberglass bridge is installed (should be before the end of the year).

CCT sustainability projects totaled 107.75 volunteer hours for 2007. The projects completed have been a success in showing the contribution volunteers can make to preserve singletrack, natural surface trails.

Thanks to all the volunteers!

Randy Kerr, MORE/CCT liasion