Trail Conditions @ Leominster SF, Anyone?

[jamisnb69]

Hi, Planning to ride ther on Tuesday and am wondering if anyone has tried and if it is good condition right now. Thanks for the feedback!

[Slappy]

Was out there last weekend - WAY too many branches down to get a decent ride in. Gonna try to go out for some clearing this coming w/e.

[lambertMA]

Rode there on Friday, did a bunch of clearing but just scratched the surface. Lots of bad re-routes starting sprout up too......

[GandALF2]

Slappy,

Is anyone doing anything organized for trailwork? Based on my daily observations of the hillsides on Rte 2 in that area, LSF must be like a bomb zone. I might be available for some work on Saturday. Chainsaw ready.

Alf

[GV_MTBiker]

Went for a spin last week, it seems like most every trail is going to need a lot of work. I'll probably head out sporadically this week if its not raining too bad and give the new loppers a work out.

[Slappy]

Lemme talk to da Boss-lady and see what's up for Saturday; definitely time to get this stuff knocked out before bug season kicks off. Maybe we can shoot for 9ish Sat AM if that works for people?

[GV_MTBiker]

yea, that could work.

[jamisnb69]

Well, I went and tried to ride and am sad to report that althought it is dry it is a mess. Really this area looks like a tornado went through. I have never seen anything quite like it.
The rider I was with and I did some cleanup but this is a daunting job. These trails need a major effort. If a trail cleanup day is scheduled and you can attend please do or just do what you can while you are there. It was mostly unridable.
Thanks to those who have done some work!!
All that aside it was my first time @ LSF and I thought is was a fun area.

[jamisnb69]

Wachusett NEMBA (http://www.geocities.com/wachnemba/index.html)
Date:
Place
Phone / Email Contact:
April 25
DCR ParkServe Day ~ Leominster State Forest
Jim Wrightson (jjwright@princeton-ma.us), 978-852-4800
June 6
National Trails Day ~ Leominster State Forest
Jim Wrightson (jjwright@princeton-ma.us), 978-852-4800

[Slappy]

Gonna head over to there Sat morning, Rocky Pond lot around 9.
Thinking we'll concentrate on the loop between Wolf Rock Rd/King Tut's Hgwy and Paradise Alley to start with; it was a real mess the other day.


http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/Leominster.gif

[MTBME]

Gonna head over to there Sat morning, Rocky Pond lot around 9.
Thinking we'll concentrate on the loop between Wolf Rock Rd/King Tut's Hgwy and Paradise Alley to start with; it was a real mess the other day.


http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/Leominster.gif

Hey Slappy. Is this going to be a riding, rolling TM from the bikes? I'm hearing they may also be a cleanup at Groton Town Forest this weekend but I can't find any confirmation about it.

[Slappy]

Hey Norm

I'm thinking it'll be along those lines; probably split up into a couple groups, pick some start points and just move on through and throw/drag the majority of stuff out of the way until we meet in the middle. Probably just strap some loppers and a handsaw to the pack and concentrate on the smaller stuff for now, make a mental note of the big stuff and then come back for a little under-the-radar chainsaw action at a different time.

Figure we'll be concentrating on the trails nearer to the parking lot this time, so bikes're not a necessity if anybody would rather just walk out.

[toddslacks]

I wish i could make it out with you guys Saturday but i have to work. I plan on going out Sunday around 1 and just doing whatever i can. How muddy is it out there?

[Slappy]

Wasn't bad last time I was out - that place drains really well for the most part. I rode in Westminster yesterday and it wasn't very wet at all there either.

[yodra]

Hey Slappy. Is this going to be a riding, rolling TM from the bikes? I'm hearing they may also be a cleanup at Groton Town Forest this weekend but I can't find any confirmation about it.
There will be 2 separate cleanup efforts at Groton Town Forest this weekend. One crew will be heading out on Satuday at 3 PM...this crew will most likely be comprised of members and friends of the Groton Trails Committee and will most likely all be on foot. Separately, there are plans for a small group of mtb'ers from the Nashoba Dirt Organization (NDO) Mountain Bike Club heading out Sunday at 7:30 AM with plans to combine trail clearing with a ride. Both efforts will meet at the main entrance to GTF at the terminus of Town Forest Rd in Groton. Weather for Sunday AM looks iffy, so if the time for the Sunday AM effort is changed, I'll post an update to this thread.

[subaru311]

I stopped by rocky pond rd the other day and they had TRAIL CLOSED up on the tree so i didnt ride. did they take the sign down?

[Slappy]

I think that was put up shortly after the storm and since it's still pretty much a mess in there it hasn't been taken down.

There's definitely rideable trail nearer to the parking lot; not sure about farther out yet. The trails that start from the lot are passable for the most part. Might pick up a stick or 3, but not too much you have to get off for. The trail on the right just past Wolf Rock rd with the long bridge is ok, and so is the most of the loop between that and Paradise Alley. (Actually, thanks to Alf, a good bit of that is what's commonly referred to as "buff". :rad:) The trail that runs along the east side of King Tut's Hwy up to the base of the cliffs is also 'buff' (but not the section from KT's to Wolf Rock - that actually might a good one to hit next).

I'm hoping to get out for a while this weekend and do some cleaning and maybe slide in a little 'recon' ride to get a better idea of what's up. If anybody's interested and has suggestions for when and what to do, sing out. Be nice to get some stuff knocked out before the flies and skeeter show up.

Also, if anyone knows the condition of specific trails maybe you can post up here. I was going to put a copy of a map on the kiosk at the parking lot in a ziplock with a marker; keep an eye out for it. I figure if would be useful if anybody goes out and either clears trail or finds out a trail's passable, they could take a minute to mark it on the map so that anyone who shows up will know what still needs work.