Stuff we need to do sometime

[seenvic]

Here is a short list of stuff I can think of that needs to be done. Somewhat in order of importance.

1. Put up the signs at FATS. First we need to get the arrows printed. Estimated date: Dec 2006.

2. Remove decking from the broken bridge on Horn Creek. Cut the tree that broke the bridge and is still there. Long Cane Trails will move the 30' stringers into the bridge site. Rebuild the bridge. Estimated Date: Dec 2006 or early 2007.

3. Work on the seeps at FATS. These are the areas that are wet for DAYS after rain. This has to be water coming from underground. The trees are dormant now and the water is likely to stay in/on the trail in these sections until the Spring of 2007. The only way to keep those section from becomng quagmires is to not ride them at all this winter , or to armor them. This is not easy work. I'd estimate there are about 1000 feet total to do, but most spots are 5-50' in length. Estimated Date: Dec 2006, but most likely sometime in 2007.

4. Cut the trees off the lake loop at HKSP. Not sure when this will be done, but it needs to be done.

[ted]

If possible, I'd like to be involved/in-charge of the "armoring" of the seeps at FATS. I'll have more time on my hands after the X-mas season at the shop.
This is a project I'm heavily opinionated about having it done properly to ensure that all the sections are SAFE and durable.
Sure we can "not" ride them, but what about next season? They should be reinforced.
It's a relatively simple process, but like you said, it's hard work.
The hardest thing would be getting the armor. The concrete we had is obviously gone. Can we get more? Large, fist sized gravel would also work out well (less sledge work).

[seenvic]

Ted - you'd be perfect to head this up. As you know I did a half ass job one day w/o any tools on a section of the Deep Step and it was removed (as it prolly should have been).

We do have some rock in two places. One is a dumped pile of nice concrete that is right across the road from the entrance to the top of Buzzard's Chute. You know where that is and as of August 28, 2006 it was there. I can't imagine it has been moved. Also, one of the worst areas of seeps is on the lower Skinny Loop and "Pecker Point" in particular. There is adequate rock nearby most of these spots, but not all of them. We may need the 4-wheeler or DW to move these rocks to where they need to be. If we use the 4-wheeler, we need to have a permit w/ us from the USFS and I can get that.

I'd agree that the fix is to armor them. "Not riding" is a short term and very unpleasant solution. Besides the folks that do nothing will just trash these sections and wonder when "they" are going to fix them.

You have any type of schedule or crew in mind?

[azdrawdy]

Haven't said anything to anyone about this, but Russell, myself and my SO are heading to HC tomorrow morning at 11am to remove the decking and remove the pine tree. We didn't think we needed an army to assess the bridge and do aforementioed work.

I don't know if that decking is held in place with screws or nails (both are used in various bridges at HC), but we are going there armed with crow bars, hammers and cordless drill (two batteries). Providing the decking comes off in one piece, we were going to stack it neatly, ready for round 2. Will post update on this thread either tomorrow or Sunday.

Michael

[azdrawdy]

Two things we talked about at the last meeting (probably the first one you have missed in a while):

Hickory Knob is scheduled for 18 February. The wife and I have ridden there a bunch this year and there are quite a few trees down there. I will plan on pulling my B.O.B. with chain saw and appropriate safety gear. Not much else needs to be done there.

The loops at Petersburg (which my SO and I nearly always ride when we ride there) are in pretty dire need of a chain saw and the new brush trimmer. I volunteered to lead that one with a VERY small crew needed on Jan 13. We will start at the fishing ramp near the loops.

[ted]

seenvic said:

Ted - you'd be perfect to head this up. As you know I did a half ass job one day w/o any tools on a section of the Deep Step and it was removed (as it prolly should have been).

We do have some rock in two places. One is a dumped pile of nice concrete that is right across the road from the entrance to the top of Buzzard's Chute. You know where that is and as of August 28, 2006 it was there. I can't imagine it has been moved. Also, one of the worst areas of seeps is on the lower Skinny Loop and "Pecker Point" in particular. There is adequate rock nearby most of these spots, but not all of them. We may need the 4-wheeler or DW to move these rocks to where they need to be. If we use the 4-wheeler, we need to have a permit w/ us from the USFS and I can get that.

I'd agree that the fix is to armor them. "Not riding" is a short term and very unpleasant solution. Besides the folks that do nothing will just trash these sections and wonder when "they" are going to fix them.

You have any type of schedule or crew in mind?

Schedule: First to mid part on Jan to start getting rocks in place and end of Jan into Feb to get it all installed.
As far as getting it in there, the 4 wheeler is faster and more efficient in my opinion.

Crew: Not anyone specific except for 2-3 people. But that's another project I'm working on all together.
Other than that, anyone that's interested in lifting rock and pounding it to smithereens with a sledge hammer.
What a great way to shed that winter fat! ;D

[type1troy]

I'll help Ted with this project. ;D It'll be good cross training to get ready for the Mr. Universe competition taking the place of RAAM next year.

Maybe we can pull in Team Welfare to help out...............

[seenvic]

What was I thinking? This should have been titled "Stuff 'they' need to do sometime"!

[ted]

Does the "They" refer to "Them" or "Us"?
Let's keep "Team Welfare" on the DL.

[seenvic]

Depends. If you really want something to happen, "they" means "us".

If not, then "they" means "them".

[ted]

Ah, now it all makes sense to "me".
Thanks for stepping up T-roy. I was going to ask you first anyway.
We'll work on the "others" later.

[oddcouple]

y'all

google (geogrid) this might be the answer to the seeps, might be better than armoring?

[ted]

oddcouple said:

y'all

google (geogrid) this might be the answer to the seeps, might be better than armoring?

Looks like a great idea to me. Smaller, lighter, easier to install.
One question. Who's going to pay for it? The concrete we already have is free and we can probably get more for free.

[azdrawdy]

oddcouple said:

y'all

google (geogrid) this might be the answer to the seeps, might be better than armoring?

Seen this stuff used on both Reasonover Trail in DuPont and also Catawba Trail near Charlotte. In those cases it was small-scale and was probably used because someone knew someone at a construction site where there was some leftover. As an aside, it is used quite a bit beside the roads in Tucson, AZ.

I have never been that impressed because the tops of it show through as the erosion continues over/around it, so it can never look natural. However, it has worked in the areas I have seen it, and kept the gulleys from getting too deep.

Just my observations. YMMV.

[seenvic]

I've seen that stuff before. Paying for it is an issue. Soonest we could get a grant to pay for it is Spring/Summer 2007 and that's prolly not soon enough.

I've always thought geo-textiles were for holding the soil (tread) together on steeper slopes. Or for using under a causeway or some other form of elevated tread in which there is no sideslope at all. Most of the spots I am talking about are relatively flat, but do have some sideslope to them. I think we just need something solid for our wheels to roll over instead of the soggy ground that is there now. There are some steeper sloping spots on the Great Wall that Geogrid would be great on - and we just may use them there in the future.

I do like the weight factor. But I think geogrid works best by filling in the holes w/ smaller rocks (pea size, I think). And those would have to hauled in to most of these spots.

Edit to add: What is YMMV?

[walt]

I may have some extra geogrid at the job site. I'll check on Monday. I'm new to forums and my wife is getting me up to speed on the "lingo".

[azdrawdy]

seenvic said:

Edit to add: What is YMMV?

Your Mileage May Vary

[seenvic]

walt said:

I may have some extra geogrid at the job site. I'll check on Monday. I'm new to forums and my wife is getting me up to speed on the "lingo".

Walt, you'd be the man! I think I saw you last weekend out there riding. Let us know on the geogrid.

thanks.

[walt]

I have a partial roll of geogrid reinforcement fabric that I can drop off in the parking lot this week. Please let me know if you are interested. It works best with crusher fine or small pea gravel.

[seenvic]

walt said:

I have a partial roll of geogrid reinforcement fabric that I can drop off in the parking lot this week. Please let me know if you are interested. It works best with crusher fine or small pea gravel.

SWEEEET! But don't put it in the parking lot as it may get stolen.

Send me an email at [e-mail] and I'll figure out the best way to get it.

Thanks.