Mid-South Trails Association

We had planned to ride to Summer this morning and parked at the BMX track. When we entered the woods north of the bridge I was shocked. Someone bulldozed the river trail with a CAT D6 all the way to the bridge crossing where the wooden benches were and made a nice creek crossing. What was that all about? The trail is completely destroyed. Does anyone know why this was done?

wasn't like that last night. It was perfect then.

the bulldozer was left in the woods just south of the first big gulley. the gulley is now blocked so that water can flow to or from the wolf river.

is this a ill planned project or a case of vandalism?
inquiring minds want to know.

I just can't picture a dozer getting that far in so short a time. Did it make a straight path or appear to dodge/weave around trees? Did it grade or just appear to 'drive' out and stop at the gulley?

No trees were spared....it looks like they followed the trail pushing over the trees as they went. We walked the entire way to the big ditch, its completely unrideable. What a nightmare.

I sent a copy of all the posts (no names) to Park Supt. Steve Satterfield and Laura Adams (SF Park Alliance Exec. Director) asking what the hell is going on. As soon as I find out what is happening and who ordered it I will let everyone know.

Thanks to Andy R for sharing the first pictures of the trail damage. Sorry I’m not cleaver enough to post those pics to this site, I’m sure someone will in a matter of hours. There are two conclusions that can be made. This is either a random act of vandalism (most likely) or a planned project. Brads contact with the Park Superintendent will solve the planned project question.

I can only hope that something good can come out of this situation. Exactly what good I’m not sure.

i say VANDALISM
i have trouble believing that it might be a "project". the damage was done some time friday nite between larrys nite ride (see larry's inital post)and 7 a.m. saturday morning (i was out there saturday morning). i also doubt that a owner/operator of that machinery would leave it in the woods.

can someone post the photos that where taken of the area?

If there are some pictures, email them to bradc@midsouthtrails.com I will increase the size of that mailbox to be sure they fit.

Brad,
Check your email, you were cc on Andy's post with pics.

I have looked all over and do not find an email from Andy.

Andy and I contacted the Ranger on-duty and we all hiked back to the dozer. It was absolute carnage and was definitely vandalism. At the big ditch you can see how 'he' spent time pushing more and more of the sand from the south side into the ditch in order to cross the ditch, do a u-turn and come back across. By the time we got there the rain had backed up the ditch enough to open it back up. If you go out there don't stand to close to the edge or you'll most likely go into the ditch and get swept to the river.

Jay (the Ranger) was going to contact SS and let him know. He thought the dozer was out of gas. BTW- this dozer is about 9' wide with 2.5' wide tracks on each side. This was a big footprint down the trail. It appeared he may have been coming back for another pass when it stopped.

We all basically concluded it was most likely a disgruntled employee due to the handling down the trail and the distance gone. Anyone with out experience would have not have done some of the things that were done to be able to get it that far down the trail.

BTW guys your arms had to be getting tired lugging the bikes out there over all those trees and through the endless sand pits.

This trail is hosed.

We also walked back to the construction site. He had to plow a hillside of sand down to cross that big stream near the begining of the 3 mile loop too. That sand crossing has also washed away.

For those who might not be able to picture how far this went, but have been on the 3 mile loop. The big ditch the dozer made it to is the one where you climb up the hill and go into the woods away from the river for the next two miles, completing the loop.

Bill I don't suppose you noticed if the dozer was still warm did you? Engine still making contracting noises from cooling down. This was all done in the dark and the dozer doesn't have lights. There was a 3/4 moon Friday night. Too bad you guys didn't see him.

Do not despair.

I think we (MSTA) should volunteer our services to rescue this trail.

Use this as an opportunity to show that we care for this trail and deserve a chance to use and care for the L. B. Natural Area.

Check again Brad. The first time the email came back saying it was too large. Larry, yours said the same thing.