2017 Boyd Pond Trail Conditions

[Angela]

2017 Boyd Pond Trail Conditions

[Jmyers]

Jan 4, 2017 7:30:59 GMT -5 Angela said:

2017 Boyd Pond Trail Conditions

trail should be good to go on Sunday, I cut a couple downed trees out that were more of a nuisance than anything. If the weather holds Saturday, I will give it a onceover.

[Angela]

We are moving the EtTR to Sunday, January 15th - it is projected to be 69 next Sunday!

[seenvic]

Above is a picture of the second proposed reroute at Boyd Pond. I flagged this over the last two weekends.

The first one we did at Mocassin Madness is much shorter and construction is almost completed.

This reroute takes out ~900 feet of Main Trail going straight up and then straight down the same hill. This is the last climb up and the last descent down if going CCW. The last downhill is called "Kabooki" for folks familiar with the names of the trails. It uses parts of Hero Trail and takes out other parts of Hero Trail that constantly goes straight up and down the fall line.  We cross Hero more than we use it....actually it crosses the existing trails alot and they will provide wonderful drainage for the new trails.  Similar to when we redesigned the Long Cane Horse Trail - the old existing fall line trails were great to cross and use for drains.  

The new trail is ~.63 miles that carves and surfs these same hillsides. The climbing will remain challenging to riders, especially in the switchbacks. I fear these switchbacks may crush some people, actually. The new trail is almost 4 times longer and is an example of how much trail we can actually put at Boyd Pond.  There is always more trail on the contours than doing up and down the fall lines.  Always.       

More distance can be added to this reroute.  The realist in me is concerned how we are going to build the .63 miles flagged now if dependent on volunteers only. There can be twice to three times as much trail at Boyd Pond as there is now if we can figure out to gather up the labor it will take to build the trails. Once we build them, there will be alot less erosion and continuing tread maintenance over time.  Use will explode as people will actually like to ride the trails instead of it being a place that is sandy and perculates the water quickly thru the sandy soils.  

This will be very sweet trail to ride. You will love it if we can get it built. I was giddy flagging/mapping it.

At one time I told y'all what the Old Tower Trail was going to become. And it became FATS.

Here is what Boyd Pond can be in two-three years:

-At least two times as many miles of trail than is there now.
-Trails that will have flow, are challenging and not eroding as badly.
-Trails that actually shed water off the low side, while still keeping the perculating traits the sandy trails at Boyd have now.
-All hand built if people are willing to work AND we get a grant like we did at Hickory Knob and hire a hand crew.
-Boyd Pond can be our race venue. Great facilities to host events. A pond for water events. Sandy soils that perculate the water better than any other location in our locale. There is hardly any clay in the soils at Boyd. I've seen a little on the Nature Trail - and it was a mucky mess in that spot today.
-Full time dedicated training trail if Parks goes for that idea.
-1-1.5 miles "beginners loop" that will be great for kids and beginners.

[gospeedlite]

In the meantime, some trail updates for upcoming ETTR at Boyd.
1. Main parking lot is just a bit muddy in one end, mostly dry all along playground fence line. Overflow parking usually available across street at soccer fields.
2. The Moccasin bypass reroute entrance is marked by a barrier fence, the re-route returns rider to old Main trail at bottom of Mocassin and bypasses the rutted out original line.
3. There are two standalone trail segments new since last years ETTR, "4 Logs" and "Hero". Both are signed and depart the main trail and then return to Main just a few feet away. They are tighter and harder than Main and can be simply skipped if desired.
4. Two options exist for the Kabooki DH; the top is blocked by a simple barrier fence given the two sharp drops midway down. Experienced riders have been riding it but correct line and speed are needed. An alternate route starting near upper bench is roughed in, has a tight side hill (simple hike a bike) turning entrance before rolling down and out to Kabooki exit. This will be further improved going forward.
5. A number of downed trees on the trail have been cut/removed, thanks to several, and as of today trail is fast and dry.

[Jmyers]

Jan 8, 2017 14:14:32 GMT -5 seenvic said:

View Attachment

Above is a picture of the second proposed reroute at Boyd Pond. I flagged this over the last two weekends.

The first one we did at Mocassin Madness is much shorter and construction is almost completed.

This reroute takes out ~900 feet of Main Trail going straight up and then straight down the same hill. This is the last climb up and the last descent down if going CCW. The last downhill is called "Kabooki" for folks familiar with the names of the trails. It uses parts of Hero Trail and takes out other parts of Hero Trail that constantly goes straight up and down the fall line.  We cross Hero more than we use it....actually it crosses the existing trails alot and they will provide wonderful drainage for the new trails.  Similar to when we redesigned the Long Cane Horse Trail - the old existing fall line trails were great to cross and use for drains.  

The new trail is ~.63 miles that carves and surfs these same hillsides. The climbing will remain challenging to riders, especially in the switchbacks. I fear these switchbacks may crush some people, actually. The new trail is almost 4 times longer and is an example of how much trail we can actually put at Boyd Pond.  There is always more trail on the contours than doing up and down the fall lines.  Always.       

More distance can be added to this reroute.  The realist in me is concerned how we are going to build the .63 miles flagged now if dependent on volunteers only. There can be twice to three times as much trail at Boyd Pond as there is now if we can figure out to gather up the labor it will take to build the trails. Once we build them, there will be alot less erosion and continuing tread maintenance over time.  Use will explode as people will actually like to ride the trails instead of it being a place that is sandy and perculates the water quickly thru the sandy soils.  

This will be very sweet trail to ride. You will love it if we can get it built. I was giddy flagging/mapping it.

At one time I told y'all what the Old Tower Trail was going to become. And it became FATS.

Here is what Boyd Pond can be in two-three years:

-At least two times as many miles of trail than is there now.
-Trails that will have flow, are challenging and not eroding as badly.
-Trails that actually shed water off the low side, while still keeping the perculating traits the sandy trails at Boyd have now.
-All hand built if people are willing to work AND we get a grant like we did at Hickory Knob and hire a hand crew.
-Boyd Pond can be our race venue. Great facilities to host events. A pond for water events. Sandy soils that perculate the water better than any other location in our locale. There is hardly any clay in the soils at Boyd. I've seen a little on the Nature Trail - and it was a mucky mess in that spot today.
-Full time dedicated training trail if Parks goes for that idea.
-1-1.5 miles "beginners loop" that will be great for kids and beginners.

I wanted to voice my opinion about this as I am a local rider, and I frequently ride boyd pond. I have seen the work that has been done, and, it's not that I don't appreciate it, I do. I have ridden the new sections of trail (four logs, hero) a handful of times. I just can't get into them. There is something about them that is lacking, not to mention, the questionable longevity of them. I have already noticed some erosion on what is now referred to as "psycho trail" If it is a matter of how, we will find a way. I have said it before, and I will say it again. If there is work to be done to modify this trail to get it up to speed, so to speak, I will be happy to help. I want to help make a trail that locals can be proud of, that people who come from out of town want to ride, that I would recommend to others. Let's find a way to make this happen. It makes more sense to have a sustainable trail for the long run, not for the right now. Think about it.

[hemi9673]

Just like Jmyers I am also a local mountain biker who has frequented Boyd's Pond. I can say I have always had a love hate relationship with this trail. Boyd's Pond will definitely get you into shape and make you a better rider the more you ride it. I have noticed the last few times I have been out there, which is not quiet as much since I moved to North Augusta, the trail is getting some serious erosion problems. I have also been on some of the new trails that have been added and am like Jmyers when he says I just can't get into them. There is also a few new additions I do like as well though. I appreciate all the work that has been put into Boyd's and think it is great that it is getting the attention it finally deserves. I do see the need in some trail improvements, especially for the erosion problems. I also feel there is some parts of Boyd's that should never be messed with. I can still remember the first time I ever made it up the wood platform and it puts a smile on my face even now. I do think part of the Boyd's pond draw for some of the more seasoned riders is also what puts off some of the beginner to novice riders from coming to Boyd's. I would hope a compromise could be made so that Boyd's could be a good place for all riders to come and enjoy no matter what their skill level. Also if there is anyway possible for me to help with anything at Boyd's as long as I am able I will help.

[ted]

Why does no one from the club reply to these posts and their questions, concerns, or comments? Just curious.

[seenvic]

Jan 20, 2017 14:39:48 GMT -5 hemi9673 said:

Just like Jmyers I am also a local mountain biker who has frequented Boyd's Pond. I can say I have always had a love hate relationship with this trail. Boyd's Pond will definitely get you into shape and make you a better rider the more you ride it. I have noticed the last few times I have been out there, which is not quiet as much since I moved to North Augusta, the trail is getting some serious erosion problems. I have also been on some of the new trails that have been added and am like Jmyers when he says I just can't get into them. There is also a few new additions I do like as well though. I appreciate all the work that has been put into Boyd's and think it is great that it is getting the attention it finally deserves. I do see the need in some trail improvements, especially for the erosion problems. I also feel there is some parts of Boyd's that should never be messed with. I can still remember the first time I ever made it up the wood platform and it puts a smile on my face even now. I do think part of the Boyd's pond draw for some of the more seasoned riders is also what puts off some of the beginner to novice riders from coming to Boyd's. I would hope a compromise could be made so that Boyd's could be a good place for all riders to come and enjoy no matter what their skill level. Also if there is anyway possible for me to help with anything at Boyd's as long as I am able I will help.

Horses were on the Main Trail sometime recently.  Either today or yesterday based on the fresh piles I saw.  That is the last thing Boyd Pond needs is horse traffic.  

Clown Corner is the signature section at Boyd and while I am not a fan of running trials along the bottoms of drains, it works at Boyd and Clown Corner (CC) is the best example of it I've ever seen in my life. The issue is the entrance to CC is not on park property.  I'd say CC is actually the best trail work at Boyd Pond. High marks, especially for the crib wall and getting the trail out of the bottom of the drain. The wooden exit is cool, but think it could use hardware cloth on it.  I'd like to keep all of CC until we are asked to get off the private property.  I see a line that would get us exactly to the CC entrance by going just slightly off park property, but didn't flag it.  

I flagged another half a mile today. What I flagged today continued the Main Trail reroute and tied it into CC, removed all the out of bounds sections and used several sections of the existing Hero and Main Trail that will just need to be debermed.   

I do see clay 2-6 feet under the sand. You can see it in the deep erosion ruts in Kabooki and in the Clown Corner section where some bench cut work has been done. You can see the soil profile almost perfectly there, where the sand stops and the clay starts. We have to cut some bench on some steep sideslope in Boyd and very well could end up hitting that clay. I also see the Nature Trail is down to clay in alot of areas.  

Hero Trail sits on a hillside and spends it's time going up and down the fall line of that hill. I cross it alot. I get on a time or two where it doesn't go straight up the hill. Hero Trail doesn't surf any drains that I saw while flagging near it. But Four Logs Trail does surf drains. I hope to be able to flag into these drains and leave the drain surfing as an option for riders who like that. I never look to put trail running the lengths of drains so that may work great when I get over by that section.  

I'd like to start to build the Kabooki reroute as soon as anyone wants to work.  No matter this has to be done and the route I have flagged is over the top.  
  

[hemi9673]

Jan 22, 2017 15:26:24 GMT -5 seenvic said:

Jan 20, 2017 14:39:48 GMT -5 hemi9673 said:

Just like Jmyers I am also a local mountain biker who has frequented Boyd's Pond. I can say I have always had a love hate relationship with this trail. Boyd's Pond will definitely get you into shape and make you a better rider the more you ride it. I have noticed the last few times I have been out there, which is not quiet as much since I moved to North Augusta, the trail is getting some serious erosion problems. I have also been on some of the new trails that have been added and am like Jmyers when he says I just can't get into them. There is also a few new additions I do like as well though. I appreciate all the work that has been put into Boyd's and think it is great that it is getting the attention it finally deserves. I do see the need in some trail improvements, especially for the erosion problems. I also feel there is some parts of Boyd's that should never be messed with. I can still remember the first time I ever made it up the wood platform and it puts a smile on my face even now. I do think part of the Boyd's pond draw for some of the more seasoned riders is also what puts off some of the beginner to novice riders from coming to Boyd's. I would hope a compromise could be made so that Boyd's could be a good place for all riders to come and enjoy no matter what their skill level. Also if there is anyway possible for me to help with anything at Boyd's as long as I am able I will help.

Horses were on the Main Trail sometime recently.  Either today or yesterday based on the fresh piles I saw.  That is the last thing Boyd Pond needs is horse traffic.  

Clown Corner is the signature section at Boyd and while I am not a fan of running trials along the bottoms of drains, it works at Boyd and Clown Corner (CC) is the best example of it I've ever seen in my life. The issue is the entrance to CC is not on park property.  I'd say CC is actually the best trail work at Boyd Pond. High marks, especially for the crib wall and getting the trail out of the bottom of the drain. The wooden exit is cool, but think it could use hardware cloth on it.  I'd like to keep all of CC until we are asked to get off the private property.  I see a line that would get us exactly to the CC entrance by going just slightly off park property, but didn't flag it.  

I flagged another half a mile today. What I flagged today continued the Main Trail reroute and tied it into CC, removed all the out of bounds sections and used several sections of the existing Hero and Main Trail that will just need to be debermed.   

I do see clay 2-6 feet under the sand. You can see it in the deep erosion ruts in Kabooki and in the Clown Corner section where some bench cut work has been done. You can see the soil profile almost perfectly there, where the sand stops and the clay starts. We have to cut some bench on some steep sideslope in Boyd and very well could end up hitting that clay. I also see the Nature Trail is down to clay in alot of areas.  

Hero Trail sits on a hillside and spends it's time going up and down the fall line of that hill. I cross it alot. I get on a time or two where it doesn't go straight up the hill. Hero Trail doesn't surf any drains that I saw while flagging near it. But Four Logs Trail does surf drains. I hope to be able to flag into these drains and leave the drain surfing as an option for riders who like that. I never look to put trail running the lengths of drains so that may work great when I get over by that section.  

I'd like to start to build the Kabooki reroute as soon as anyone wants to work.  No matter this has to be done and the route I have flagged is over the top.  
  

I was out there yesterday and there was fresh horse piles then, around 4:30.

[tzeaser]

Do we really need a post every time a horse $#it$ on the trail? Contact Aiken County Parks & Rec.