The REI work day is done. We had a great turnout. The Holy Schist Phase 2 reroute is roughed in and the old trail is history.
Due to the 1.5 " of rain last week, there are still wet spots on the new reroute and other places around the park. However, the new trail is sloped correctly and will not be losing big loads of soil every spring. Much work remains to be done to finish it properly. I'll be out this summer to complete chainsaw work, build streambed crossings, cut bench and other things.
In the longer term, Gary and I will be looking for ways to build water collection features to make the trail dry up better in the spring, but for now we've moved the trail uphill and reduced the length of problem areas for some immediate improvement. We're experiencing the second worst wet spring in the 13 years I've been riding Blue Mound, and in another week, it will be the worst. We have devoted hundreds of hours of labor and many, many more to thinking and scouting to find ways to minimize water problems at Blue Mound. I share your frustration with not being able to ride out there. The best I can offer is we haven't let difficult circumstances discourage us from continuing to work toward better trails in every way.
Big thanks are due to everyone who came out Saturday, including CORP regulars Gary, William, Rick, Mark, Patricia, Ryan, and Peter. REI's Kathleen Witman and her assistant put together a much appreciated support effort. Thanks Kathleen!
Walt
