Working Herb Arched Bridge approaches Sunday 8/26 @ 10AM

[SteveK]

I plan on start walking my DR with added tools out to the bridge area around 10AM.

About 4 others plan on joining me. If you are out there stop by and give us your .02 cents as to where the trail should go.

[SteveK]

Excellent progress made yesterday, thank you Allen, Brad, Chuck, John and Larry. (Notice alphabetically listed!)

The new approach trail was “roughed in” and is passable (ask Morris M); still much ground clearing to do to get a firm trail tread.

Also accomplished; the old bridge removed from beneath the new arch bridge. MSTA being a “green” organization is recycling the old bridge by using it to cross the only drainage ditch on the new approach path (the bridge was moved to the drainage ditch but not yet set in place). We also eliminated the 6X6 support structure under the old bridge to avoid a fall hazard in the unlikely event someone falls off of the new bridge.

Remarkable hard work by the work party resulted in considerably more progress than I had hoped to accomplish, thanks again.

And to the rider who recognized our hard work and then went back to the bait shop to buy and deliver Gator Aid to us thank you, that was a class act.

(And thanks also to Larry who earlier delivered “lifesaving” Gator Aid to me)

[MorrisM]

The new approach is AWESOME! Thanks Steve & Crew for all your hard work!

The approach only needs a little fine tuning (raking, packing & bridge set )

[Memphis_Buckeye]

I rode early on Saturday morning, so I have not been out to see the new work. Sounds great though, thanks to all that helped. Can't wait to try this new approach out.

[Brad C]

Additional thanks to the mystery rider who brought another round of Gatorade on his second lap. That cold Gatorade never tasted so good! Thanks dude.

Also thanks to the rider in the parking lot who told me his group moved a rotten fallen tree out of the trail. If we all do a little when we can the trails will stay in great condition.

[WxMan]

I hit the new section of trail a couple times yesterday evening. Nice. Great work all.

[alanB]

Great work day guys. Always a pleasure to be involved in "cleaning the woods". I also want to thank the Gator-Aid suppliers!!!!

[Ariel29er]

Thank you all!

[Brad C]

Here are a few pics of the work. First is the new bridge with the support for the previously planned bridge support removed. This gives a clear fall zone off of the bridge. No liability for MSTA.


Allan starting to clear the new trail.


An 11.5 foot section of the old bridge will be installed per MSTA/IMBA specs for our trail bridges. Do it once, do it right, be done with it. And let nothing useable go to waste.

[SteveK]

The next work day for Herb will be to set in place the recovered old “shaky bridge” over the drainage ditch on the new approach trail to the new “Arched Bridge”.

I plan to set the bridge this next Sunday Sept. 2nd starting about 10AM.

THIS WORK DAY IS HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL FROM ISAAC.

The more manpower I have will result in more getting done.

If your schedule allows show up near the “Arched Bridge” and we will see what we can accomplish.
The goal is to have that area of trail improved and finished for the 6 Hour of Herb race Oct. 13th.

[Larry_K]

Go ahead and get those chainsaws sharpened up, the storms aren't even here yet and there's already one large pine down in the archery area. It's nore more than 12" around but it's hanging up in the air a bit. Quite a few branches down and a few pieces of downed trees that are partially blocking the trail but so far only the one that will require cutting.

If we don't swamped too bad I'll be out there sometime Saturday morning/afternoon to scout for blockages.

Steve, Andy (was there for the last bridge we built) said he can make it we're on for Sunday. If there's not too much down maybe we can have a small crew of 2-3 do a lap to clear the trail while others work on placing the skinny bridge on the new route. I may try to rustle up at least one more person that's not on the message board but has mentioned being interested in trail work.

[alanB]

Steve, will you be walking the DR in Sun for the bridge placement? If so I will join you. Any other tools I need to bring?

[SteveK]

Yes I am using the DR, also I'm bringing the cart that I push in front of the DR to hual tools, generator and wood.

No need to bring anything, Brad is picking up wood and hardware.

See you there.

[SteveK]

TRAIL WORK CXX for Sunday Sept 2nd

Almost 1.5 inches of rain that only stopped a few hours ago will make for sloppily and perhaps unsafe working conditions.

Maybe Labor Day or next weekend? I'll go for a hike out there today to check out conditions.

[SteveK]

I took a short hike this afternoon and I recommend we set a trail work day next Saturday Sept 8th.

I'll get the one down tree on Monday by walking in from Lakeview Drivw.

Steve Franklin reports the trail is 90% dry with some mud areas. Any rain in the next 24 hours will make the trail sloppy.

Enjoy the Labor Day holiday, see you guys next Saturday.

Brad has drawn up some nice plans for the recovered bridge and will purchase the supplies.