Clarks Hill Connector

[dparrott]

Today, Paul and I got a preview of a developing section of the Clarks Hill Connector - trail segments from the East end of the dam that will lead to FATS. COE showed us the roughed in route that loses about 100' of elevation down to the flat section of road that leads to the powerhouse. The layout is really good - we offered just a few tweaks to the line. This section is probably about 1/2 mile. Hope to have it ready in time for the Best Dam Ride. And we may put together a work party or two to help out.

We also hiked the newly opened section below the dam that leads from the lower parking lot, crosses Nixon Branch on an existing bridge and leads to the old tram line. ACOE did most of the work while we were all tied up with the SMC. This is a really scenic bit. But part of it is routed through a low area - it's fine now but we'll have to see how it holds up during the rainy season. You can make a loop out of it and I'm told it is about a mile long.

[brianW]

just a few questions
1. Nixon Branch, is that the creek that is in between the boat ramp and picnic area?

2. About a year ago when I spoke to Pepper, she mentioned with a lot of excitement of a possible loop (FATS below the dam) as she called it. Is that still a long term goal of the ACOE? or is it the loop that just opened that follows old "road" beds?

3. Is there any work to be done still to connect FATS and the Dam or is it fairly open. Seems to me from what I have heard it will mostly follow exciting dirt roads and old trolley/rail road beds?

[Mark Y]

I went with Dale today while he blew the leaves off of the short loop on the trolley beds. It is a beautiful short section of trail ( 1 mile + or-), and worth the time to get out and walk around it. It is also a good warmup lap before heading out for the climb up to 221. You could park there, and ride Bartram and back, or to FATS and back. Beautiful picnic area with grills and tables too! I wish we had 50 miles of the same kind, it is great for those just wanting to be in the woods for the pure pleasure of it.

[dparrott]

To Brian:

Yes - that is Nixon Branch - it also follows the road on the left going downhill from Rt 221.

The loop that Pepper mentioned will be called Nixon Branch which is a goal that ACOE and SORBA are working toward. Lots of steep terrain that will require machines and $.

You can ride from Bartram to FATS now. The tram section of the Clarks Hill Connector is now open. The piece described above in the 1st paragraph will be the next piece. The third piece will connect the now open tram section to the downhill piece being worked now. That will probably do the Clarks Hill Connector for a while. There are a number of possibilities of extending the ride along the tram line but it crosses a number of private properties, some with leases to hunt clubs so I think it will be hard to press through those areas. If we can swing some deals, it will mean less travel on Rt 28.

[neal1975]

Does anyone have a map to this? im very curious to see where this new route runs.

Im itchin for a new trail too

[matth]

I talked to a COE Ranger behind the dam on Saturday and he said the connector to FATS wasn't going to happen because they lost the easements and there were about 13 landowners involved. Was he out of the loop on his information?

[seenvic]

Nov 15, 2010 12:44:01 GMT -5 matth said:

I talked to a COE Ranger behind the dam on Saturday and he said the connector to FATS wasn't going to happen because they lost the easements and there were about 13 landowners involved. Was he out of the loop on his information?

No. The "dream" was to get as close to FATS off road as possible and at one time it was believed if all the pieces came together, this could mean off road almost all the way to about Lost Wilderness. And from Lost Wilderness, you can ride pavel to Woodlawn Rd and easily slip onto Tower/Big Rock.

The landowner situation has crushed this part of the route (getting all the way to Lost Wilderness w/o having to ride on Hwy 28). But I think the ACOE still owns land a good bit of the way to FATS.

The plan was altered and now the goal is to get most of the way to Lost Wilderness off road and simply ride on Hwy 28 for a short distance to make it all work.

I may be wrong on all this, but this is what I recall.

[matth]

Great! Thanks for the additional info.

[neal1975]

Does anyone have a map online of this route that i can look at?

[dparrott]

I finally got a chance to ride this trail. Worked it in as an extension to Bartram Trail. From the end of Bartram at West Dam it's about a 7 mile RT out and back to include this piece stopping at the picnic area just across the Nixon Branch bridge near the boat ramp below the dam. The single track is less than 2 mi RT, the rest is pavement (for now). It's not worth the effort to go there as a destination trail but does make a nice option extending the Bartram eastward. It's also a great spot for a picnic especially for families and then you could ride or walk the trail. Using a piece of the boat ramp road to close the loop would be a mile or so. The trail is beginner friendly with just one spot that requires a bit of skill. Going away from the boat ramp end there's a steep, narrow pitch with a sharp right turn at the top to get onto the tramline spur.

[brianW]

Dale, if you go down the tram way further you get to a dirt road. Is that Lukes Ferry? that comes out on 28 near a bait shop.

[dparrott]

Yes - turn left on the gravel rd and it leads uphill, becomes paved and is Lukes Ferry Rd. If you stay straight on the tramline, you will come to private property that is gated and leased to a hunt club.