Modoc Trail Conditions 2014

[beckyl]

We rode Modoc on New Year's Day and there are a couple trees down that need a saw. One is actually more of a tree top so it’s a mess. I think they are around mile markers 1.5 and 3ish. Anyway, more than likely we’ll be getting out there with the saw soon and I'll post when we do. The water was also up and difficult to cross so I wouldn’t recommend riding Modoc at the moment. The winds last night may have brought more trees down, too.

[beckyl]

We are hiking Modoc this afternoon and will be taking out any non-riders we see. I'll post tomorrow with a new trail report.

[beckyl]

Modoc should be clear of non-riders. We moved a log out of the path at the first creek crossing because it would have messed up the flow for people who ride the rocks. Cleared a large diagonal pine that someone had built a makeshift ramp on, which was a bit sketchy, then, got this large lover's beech that covered two parts of the trail. It was a doozie:

This is taken heading out on the trail. Due to the sharp curve in the trail, the end with the rootball is covering part of the trail as well as the tree top:




From the angle where the bend in the trail is:

[jtaylor]

Good job and much appreciated. I bet the hollow log was a bit tricky.

[tzeaser]

Did you save the log that has "T+J" in it? Someone I know carved that many years ago. I need to go get it. As always, your hard work is greatly appreciated. I hope to enjoy the Modoc-Turkey connector ride very soon.

[beckyl]

Jan 5, 2014 17:24:32 GMT -5 tzeaser said:

Did you save the log that has "T+J" in it? Someone I know carved that many years ago. I need to go get it. As always, your hard work is greatly appreciated. I hope to enjoy the Modoc-Turkey connector ride very soon.

Well Tom, you're probably in luck because Nevin hardly cut into the part of the trunk that had the writing on it. I hope you can find a way to retrieve that section and if not, I hope it is at least facing a direction where you can see the letters you put on there. Good luck!

[azdrawdy]

Fantastic job. Those chest-high trees can be a PITA. Thanks for putting in the time and effort!

[mhanna]

Modoc was absolutely beautiful today. Water in every creek and long views with all the leaves down. Was able to clear everything down except for two that will need chainsaws juts before and after the 5 mile marker. Glad to see the 4 mile bridge survived but the entry going out is getting a bit sketchy from the washout.

[dsquaredmsquared]

Modoc was cleared this evening and FS632A is passable. A big thank you to Jon T. (our USFS certified sawyer), Dustin, Banks, Tom Z., and Mark H. for braving the sweltering heat and darkness while giving back to our trails.

Bartram is on tap for Friday, FATS work party is scheduled for Saturday morning, and on Sunday we plan to knock out Mistletoe and Keg Creek. Thank you for your support.



While heading in from FS632A, Jon and I happened upon the circle of life: Not sure who thought they were getting an easy meal, the hawk or the snake, but the hawk won't have to worry about breakfast - or lunch, or dinner, or much of anything anymore.  Jon carefully moved the snake and his dinner over to the side of the trail so no one else would get bitten.

[dgaddis1]

Feb 20, 2014 20:59:46 GMT -5 dsquaredmsquared said:

While heading in from FS632A, Jon and I happened upon the circle of life: Not sure who thought they were getting an easy meal, the hawk or the snake, but the hawk won't have to worry about breakfast - or lunch, or dinner, or much of anything anymore.  Jon carefully moved the snake and his dinner over to the side of the trail so no one else would get bitten.

That's impressive, would have been cool to see how that went down exactly.

As Dsquared said, Modoc is cleared and good to go. Lots of water in the creeks.

The rock drop seems steeper and taller than usual...I think it's gotten washed out some.

Man I love this trail!!

[brando]

Got my butt kicked by Modoc today. Definitely the wrong trail to try out my new low profile Slant Six rear tire. This was my second time ever on this trail, first time was a year ago. Thankfully a lot less trees this time. Only 1 big pine right at the end that was too big for me to ride over (or even attempt to).
I'll spare the details but I got about a years worth of practice picking myself up off the ground today.
Overall trail is good. They haven't burned it as of today (Saturday) but looks like they're getting ready to.

[jtaylor]

Seth and I hand cut several trees and chain sawed about 4 trees today. Non riders still at 2.5 and 5 miles but easy walk overs. Otherwise trail in great shape, grass not very tall yet, and beautiful morning.

[jtaylor]

Last Thursday we didn't even make it to the 4 mile bridge due to trees down, some hike-arounds, some step-overs. Grass was not a problem.

[deano]

Anyone think Modoc is ridable? Our LCHT's are soaked but I was hoping that with Modocs elevation it would have ran off fairly quick. I know there will be some soft spots but no where near as bad as our flat trails.

[brianW]

I would say go for it. Been on Keg and Mistletoe and both of those trails are in good shape. Modoc being another old school trail should be fine also.....besides high water at the creeks.