Snot nosed punks

[tedsti]

Bob and I walked Lebanon today, or at least part of it. Some rotten little *&$%^s had gone right through the fencing we put up.

We ran into 2 groups that were on the trail. One was 3 teenagers who needed a good slap upside the head. "We didn't know the trail was closed and didn't see any fence" They had to have gone through 10 fences to get to where they were.

We yelled at the other two people from across the ridge, so they didn't have a chance to get lippy.

[gopherhockey]

:mad: ... <SIGH>It starts again.... and we were doing so well!

Anyone got that paint gun we've been talking about?

[dopey048]

I have a paintball marker, and I know how to use it.

Then again I would probably get in more trouble than the no talent @ss clowns that damaged the trails.

[syntaxjunkie]

Once again, I must ask if it's time to revisit the Sharks-with-Friggin'-Laser-Beams-in-Their-Heads idea, originally suggested as an obstacle for the XX Loop. The Ill-Tempered Sea Bass approach doesn't seem to be working out.

[SPR]

...tranquilizer darts :D

[mara]

Grumpy trail worker with Pulaski? :D

[destrago]

I did a nice little road ride today and the last leg takes me straight past the parking lot at Leb. As I rode by there were 2 kids on BMX bikes, probably about 13- out in the lot. I stopped in to chat. They said they had been riding and that the trail was dry (not sure if that's true, didn't bother to check). They admitted that they knew the fences meant the trail was closed but said 'you can just walk around them.'

I politely informed them that the trail is still closed and even if they think it seems dry enough, riding too early can still damage the trail. I told them I am part of the group responsible for maintaining the trail and that we have plans to build some new areas (that was true, wastn't it?) but those will be delayed if we have to repair trail damage from early riding.

They seemed receptive but they could have just been playing along. I hope that having someone stop in and them realizing that there are people paying attention to the trail even (especially) when its's closed for thaw might make them think before poaching again. Of course, they might think about it and do it anyway.

-Tony

[dave t]

Not to imply that it would be OK to ride the closed trail but did they do much damage?
I was playing around in the dirt in a few places near Home Depot and Menards in AV and it seemed like things were drying out pretty well. I know the woods don't dry that fast but was thinking it might not be too far off if the weather holds.

[Trevize1138]

Not to imply that it would be OK to ride the closed trail but did they do much damage?
I was playing around in the dirt in a few places near Home Depot and Menards in AV and it seemed like things were drying out pretty well. I know the woods don't dry that fast but was thinking it might not be too far off if the weather holds.

Frost is still in the ground in places. Today will be a BIG help in terms of weather for melting that out, but we're talking up to 18 inches deep in places. As long as the frost is still in there moisture will continue to come to the surface and keep the trail wet.

I just walked parts of Theo and it's still too soft and moist and there's plenty of damage we'll be spending our time repairing once we do get back to work.

[Ish]

Not to be the bearer of bad news, but it is Spring Break week in ISD 196 (i.e. Eagan).

Drove by on Johhny Cake on the way to the zoo around 2:00 and saw 3 kids on bikes back in the woods. To make it worse, they weren't even on the official trails, but were riding the old exit back out to the lot. I'm sure the park will love seeing bike tracks on trails that aren't even open to bikeing. :mad: :mad: :mad: and :mad:

[nigel]

Im not even go to post what I saw today when walking a trail, lets just leave it at me being agitated.

[gopherhockey]

Leb is getting really really close. Its soft in some spots, but we opened up last year when it was soft and it packed in nice before the spring rains hit. I think today definitely helped out huge.

If we can avoid rain this week we should be in good shape. Watch the MORC members forum for the first heads-up on an opening schedule.