Side Trip

 

Suiting up for my annual special operation, although I'm not invading Ukraine.

Visit #1524, Saturday 22 March 25, 7:30-10:30AM, 3.3 miles, 63.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 40s, sunny.

But first...

After discovering some graffiti on the trails last week, I returned during the week on my mountain bike to address it.

The runny graffiti was my attempt last week to use graffiti remover.

Once a year I clean Crow Hollow Brook as it flows through Hubbard Park.

I start where one branch originates and follow one bank all the way to Notch Road/West Main Street then return via the other bank. 

During the early morning as I worked the eastern bank, a regular visitor to Hubbard Park drove by. This person supplied the ladies who put up this Christmas wreath during the holidays and I promised the wreath supplier I would take it down and hold on it until I could catch him in the park to return the wreath. They were happily surprised and I got the wreath out of my truck!

Among the unusual finds today...

...a paper shredder, multiple shoes, an automobile oil filter, a gallon of automobile fluid, electrical components, a full quart of spackling compound; some items were so heavy I had to make multiple trips to the trash bins.

I've commented before that this walkbridge is in disrepair and in need of a renovation. If funds are not available I got the idea that perhaps a "Buy A Brick" program to replace the gravel approach on either side could defray costs. I'd also hope there would be a concerted effort to duplicate or restore the ornate iron railings in keeping with the authentic appearance. It would be a shame to do otherwise.

Crow Hollow Brook at the lower end of West Main Street.

The earliest blooming daffodils?

While sitting on the tailgate of my truck, removing my special operation suit, a woman drove by, stopped, and thanked me for my work. That made that last three hours worth it.

I'm Lovin' It

 

Makin' chips, that is. My apologies to McDonalds for co-opting their famous slogan.

Visit #1523, Saturday 15 March 25, 1:30-4:20PM, 4.6 miles, 1.9 lbs. of litter.

Driving to Hubbard Park Saturday, I got this good feeling about what I would be doing. Maybe it was the manly anticipation of chainsaw use.

I picked up where I left off last week. My first broken branch was going to be dicey since it was still attached to the tree, it was a large branch, and it was tall.

There was pressure on the branch as you can see it's touching the ground. I was concerned the branch would let go from the tree as I cut because I was working directly underneath. Best I could do was remove that pressure and hope the unsupported branch would eventually fall on its own in time. It's now floating freely about three feet of the ground. I would prefer to drop the entire tree under supervision; that may or may not happen in the future.

Moving on, I found some recent graffiti on a rock, which I'll address soon.

This was NOT my doing and I don't endorse it. Besides; it doesn't emphasize my best features! It will go soon as well.

Hiking down to the I-691 walkbridge, I found this sticker which I've found before this year and which I removed.

Another recent repeat offender was this graffiti I found on the walkbridge.

It was while removing this that a mountain biker stopped by.

He jokingly asked if I was polishing the bridge (!) then, probably because I had a chainsaw on my back,  told me there was a fallen tree on a certain trail back up the hill. So I reversed course.

Well yeah, that's in need of removal. Note the Blue Trail marker on the tree in the background. Thanks to the mountain biker for that info. Merely identifying where the trail needs maintenance saves me a lot of time.

Hiking back toward the walkbridge, I came upon my Find of the Week. How I missed it on the way up is beyond me, and why someone carried them so far just to discard them here beside the trail is another mystery.

I couldn't reach the other end of the bridge without finding more graffiti, obviously done with the same wax pencil and therefore the same people as that above.

It received the same facial treatment.

One last fallen tree was discovered on the trail across the street from Belmont Avenue.

Next week: A brief rest from the trail maintenance. 

Sit Back And Enjoy The Ride

 

Those ain't headphones baby-it's a Power Tool Weekend®!

Visit #1522, Saturday 8 March 25, 12:25-3:15PM, 3.6 miles, 1.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 40s, sunny with strong gusty winds.

This week I began in earnest cleaning up after the recent ice storm reported in recent past blog posts.

I managed to clear roughly one half of the trails below Castle Craig, trails that are most frequently used and I will continue doing so next week.

Sit back and thumb through a bunch of Before and After photos.

I started on the trail approaching the water treatment plant.

The trail behind the water tank.

On to the trail adjacent to Merimere Reservoir.

It was just as I was beginning to clear this fallen branch when a passing hiker introduced himself as Wayne and offered to help clear this branch. It was much appreciated and made for quick work.

On to the Yellow Trail.

This tree, on the top most section of the Yellow Trail, is one of two widowmakers as a result of the ice strom. Unfortunately I had to drop the entire tree.

Hiking to what I call the Green Trail even though it's unmarked. It was the only color left! This trail heads back toward the reservoir.

Done for this week-more to come!

Damage Assessment, Week II

 

It was a cold morning indeed.

Visit #1521, Sunday 2 March 25, 7:25-9:15AM, 4.4 miles, 2.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the teens, sunny but with a very stiff, cold wind.

I bought new prescription eyeglasses. When hiking in Hubbard Park on a bright, sunny day with snow cover, I practically go snowblind. So with this new prescription I asked for dark Transitions lenses. Boy; that was a mistake.

They turn so dark I can barely see the trail, let alone any litter I'm looking for. Not good. I'm exchanging them for a 20% light brown tint, no Transitions jazz. I chose that number because it's similar to your car's windshield tint (except for everyone who's gone all "gangsta" with super dark tinted windows and even windshields), and the brown is supposed to increase outdoor contrast. Here's hoping for a "brighter" outcome.

For those of you who read last week's blog entry, you'll remember I inspected some trails for damage from the recent ice storm. This week I continue, except the trails I would hike were much closer to the park proper.

Well, I was surprised at the amount of fallen branches I encountered vs. last week. The trails are definitely in need in some cleanup. Weather permitting, I'll be doing just that next week. Here's just a sample of what I found, including a couple widowmakers.

These trails see much more frequent use than the distant trail I hiked last week, and will get the attention they need, sooner.

Referring to last week's graffiti cover up, the After photo I took then was somewhat poorly exposed due to the early daylight. Here's a better photo of my art.

I can't wait for warmer temps!