Trailwork @ Hillside Sun. 4/16/05

[Panman]

It's that time of year again!!

Greetings,

Remember that although the weather is turning warmer frost still exists in the ground and trail surfaces are susceptible to damage. A good guide of when the frost is out is when medium sized lakes are free of ice.

A trail work day has been planned for Hillside Park on Sunday April 17. Work starts at 9:00 and lasts until about 1:00. Meet in the front parking lot. The plan is to clear winter debris from the trails and finish rebuild/repair work in section 3.

Hillside will be officially open on May 1.

[Panman]

The date was wrong in the other post (fixed). It's Sunday April 17, not 16. Also, I've been clearing the trail this week and will finish this weekend. Hillside is in VERY good shap and will likely open next weekend! I'll keep you informed.

[jayski27]

I'm new to this site and to mountain biking and live fairly close to this trail (and plan to do some riding there this year) and was wondering what I can do to help on Sunday. Obviously showing up would be the first thing, but do I need to bring anything? If someone can let me know I would be more than willing to come and assist with getting this trail ready for riding.

Thanks.
Jason

[Panman]

Hi Jason, welcome to the MORC site!
You don't need to bring any tools on Sunday, we should have enough. Unless you have a favorite shovel/rake. LOL However, just make sure you have boots, pants, gloves, maybe a long sleeve shirt, and eye protection doesn't hurt either. Dress for the occation I guess. You'll have fun and learn a lot about trails.

Also, we normaly ride after trailwork so bring your bike! Hope to see ya there, I'm in a silver Ranger.

[HomegrownMN]

It's that time of year again!!

I spent some time tonight clearing leaves and debris at Hillside park and while
doing so, was greeted by more than one rider. :cryin:
From my understanding the park is still closed?!? until further notice.
Who decides when to open for the season? Is it Morc or the Blast crew?
Also, there is no sign saying whether the park is open or closed. I know in the
past there have been signs displaying the official opening of the park.
This was a problem, as I tried to persuade the riders to wait to ride until this weekend and let the trails to dry out, they were quick to point out that nowhere does it state that the park is closed!
I was a little pissed because no one offered any thanks, or help and I even tried to talk them into helping out on Sunday, as that WAS posted.:mad:
Anyway, the trail looks awesome. I think we need some rakes on Sunday, as there are too many leaves on the trail and they are starting to decompose. Things are gonna be soggy if we don't expose the dirt to dry out and firm up.
See ya'll Sunday.
Joe

[Panman]

Hi Joe, welcome to the MORC forums.

Thanks for helping clear the trail, any help we can get is great! Glad to hear you'll be helping out this weekend. So how did the trail look? A little wet I'm guessing. I did clear a lot of debris from the trail last weekend and it was in great shape then.

Hillside was "unofficially" open last weekend but wasn't publicized. We wanted to keep the traffic down to make sure the frost was out. Blast is the group who maintains that trail and I'll be announcing the official opening tomorrow afternoon.

As far as raking leaves, I don't think there are any plans to do so. There is simply not enough man power to rake 7 miles of trails. And there has been some discussion before (http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9881) about weather to remove leaves or not before. I guess we can talk about it on Sunday.

Thanks again! Hope to see some more of ya this Sunday! :banana:

[HomegrownMN]

The ground was actually very firm and partially dry (moist) . From my walk around there were no wet spots to be found.
I understand the man power required to remove the leaves is gonna be hard
to do, but the more leaves we can remove the less decomposition.
Next year we should get them off before winter. A little bit at a time will really
help out in the long run.
See you Sunday and look forward to a good ride.:scream:
Joe

[jayski27]

I will DEFINITELY be there on Sunday to help with the trail. I have also talked one of my friends into coming along as well to help out. I have never been to this trail so are the directions that are posted on this site correct (101 North to Ct. Rd. 12)? Just want to make sure I don't miss the place. See you on Sunday!

Jason

[Panman]

That's awsome Jason, thanks for helping out!

Getting to Hillside is easy, once you see it. LOL Get to 101 either from 94 or Hwy. 10.

After you cross the river (or get on from 10) going north, go under the railroad bridge then Wal-Mart and Home Depot will be on your right.
At the next lights (gas station on the corner) take a right towards Wal-Mart. (Not sure what the road name is.)
The next light will be strait through (right is to Wal-Mart) and you'll hit a all-way stop sign.
Go strait through that stop sign as well.
You'll see a new development on your right, then a long dirt road. After that, there is a road with a gate in front, that's it. It's hidden by the pine trees in front so watch for it.


If no one is in the front parking-lot (look for my silver Ranger) go to the back. Strait through the next gates, it's about half-mile long.

[Panman]

One last reminder, Hillside trailwork is tomorrow at 9am. Help out then ride after! Trail is in great shape, when dry. :D

[jodzeee]

My husband and I and maybe a friend are planning to come out to help tomorrow but wanted to make sure you still plan on working after today's rain.

Should we bother bringing our bikes or will it be too wet? :confused:

Do we need to bring anything other than work gloves?

Thanks,
Jodi

[Fiveohhh]

I'm gonna try and make it there also... Any word on the free passes for trailwork also? 9 is gonna be pushing it for me, but I'll do my best to get my butt outta bed.

[Panman]

Hillside only received .41" of rain today. I stopped and checked the trail out tonight, it looks in good condition. Trailwork AND the ride after are still a go. Hope to see you there!

Andy - If you get there late, just head to the back. We'll be in section 3 finishing the reroute we did last fall (beind the mulch piles).

Jodi - Boots, gloves, and pants should all you'll need. (Oh, and yourslef. :crazy: ) I guess if you want to bring a shovel and rake that might not be bad. But we should have enough tools.

[Fiveohhh]

Well my plans on getting up early failed. Working night shift really messes with this kinda stuff:P

I'll be sure to do some work later in the year with ya Ryan. Just let me know when your going and if its after noon on a weekend I should be able to make it:D

[Panman]

Andy - That's alright, we had 20 people I think. I'll let you know when I do some more work.

Wow, what a trailwork day! Near, or more than 20 people showed up. We worked on 4 parts in section 3. It was a LOT of work, you really have to see it.

"Caution" Downhill - completely rebuilt and armored.
First Reroute - finished the top with soil.
Second Reroute - cleaned it up and built a burm.
Table-Top - expanded the large log pile into a small table-top.


We also came up with more plans. Some of you may have noticed us checking things out. A few things: possible teeter, large rock steps (downhill), and new trail of large burms and a big jump. The burms would be near 6' tall and a large jump at the end. All just talk yet but some exciting possible additons.

Wasn't exactly the group ride I had planned, LOL, but maybe next time we'll actually have a "group" ride. Thanks again for all your help! Remember to call Elk River and get your free anual pass. 763-635-1150 I think. Wait a few days before calling though, we have to get the list of workers to them.

[huntforlife]

Well even if it wasn't a big group ride, I still had fun. Thanks.
Keep me posted as to when the next trail work day is, and hopefully I can make it. I cant make it Sunday mornings due to church.

God bless,
Paul Levang