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Post by kconner on Apr 20, 2011 17:05:00 GMT -5
Rode Skinny, Brown Wave and Great Wall today. This was my first time riding a trail soon after being burned, and it was different from what I thought it would be like. I thought it would reek of burnt pine straw and leaves, which doesn't bother me as much as it does most people, but, with the exception of a few spots, you smell something akin to those pine air fresheners you can buy for your car or in candle form....very nice surprise! I also thought it was cool how the singletrack stood out from the rest of the environment, like a brown ribbon through a sea of black. It seemed that a lot of the technical features stood out better...I've ridden past Shrimper's Rock several times, but today I was able to see it and ride it without having to backtrack 
The lack of undergrowth also opened the trail up and allows riders to see further up the trail and around turns/bends in the trail. I was also didn't realize how close parts of the trail come to each other in some spots.
The only downsides I found were:
Snags-I spotted 2 trees on Brown Wave, just past the river traveling CCW, that probably need to be felled as they are right next to and leaning over the trail. The first is a dead hardwood about a foot off the trail that is leaning towards the trail. The bottom has been burned and I have a feeling it won't stand much longer. The second is a pine that has a pretty heavy burn spot and also looks as if it will drop soon. All other trees appeared to be in good shape.
Debris-it's everywhere. Be especially careful if you like to jump whoops, there may be a pile on the far side of the whoop that you may not see until it's too late. I tried to clear as much as possible, but some small limbs may fall for another few days. I would definitely wear a helmet ;D
If you wanted to roast marshmallows or hot dogs, you're out of luck.
Fire break plowed from the end of FS 662B....may want to scout this for an additional "escape route"...this is wide enough for EMS to get their truck within 30' of Great Wall that would otherwise be a LONG hike with a patient.
Passing from the green to the black
Found one of the balls they shoot from the 'copter to start the burn
Never realized how close some parts of the trail come to each other
The forestry guys and gals did a hell of a job....raked around all signs, markers and bridges and caused no damage that I could tell, and they even moved the Rocky's Last Run marker away from the black so it wouldn't get damaged
My ride is camouflaged now....good thing I wore a red shirt
A ribbon of brown in a sea of black
Lots of small trees down....
The lack of undergrowth also opened the trail up and allows riders to see further up the trail and around turns/bends in the trail. I was also didn't realize how close parts of the trail come to each other in some spots. The only downsides I found were:
Snags-I spotted 2 trees on Brown Wave, just past the river traveling CCW, that probably need to be felled as they are right next to and leaning over the trail. The first is a dead hardwood about a foot off the trail that is leaning towards the trail. The bottom has been burned and I have a feeling it won't stand much longer. The second is a pine that has a pretty heavy burn spot and also looks as if it will drop soon. All other trees appeared to be in good shape.
Debris-it's everywhere. Be especially careful if you like to jump whoops, there may be a pile on the far side of the whoop that you may not see until it's too late. I tried to clear as much as possible, but some small limbs may fall for another few days. I would definitely wear a helmet ;D
If you wanted to roast marshmallows or hot dogs, you're out of luck.
Fire break plowed from the end of FS 662B....may want to scout this for an additional "escape route"...this is wide enough for EMS to get their truck within 30' of Great Wall that would otherwise be a LONG hike with a patient.
Passing from the green to the black
Found one of the balls they shoot from the 'copter to start the burn
Never realized how close some parts of the trail come to each other
The forestry guys and gals did a hell of a job....raked around all signs, markers and bridges and caused no damage that I could tell, and they even moved the Rocky's Last Run marker away from the black so it wouldn't get damaged
My ride is camouflaged now....good thing I wore a red shirt
A ribbon of brown in a sea of black
Lots of small trees down....
its bizarre looking