Workdays
Posted: May 1st, 2011 | Author: Andy Dickson | Filed under: | No Comments »NEXT TRAIL WORKDAY SCHEDULED
The next (second) trail workday of 2011 is scheduled for Saturday, June 21st at 9AM. Ditch clearing and vegetation cutbacks will be the order of the day. Bring work gloves, bug repellant, water, snacks, shovel/rake, large pruning tool, camp saw, mountain bike, etc.
FIRST TRAIL WORKDAY
The first trail workday of 2011 was held May 21. Nine workers helped tame the wet trail conditions. Shown in American Gothic form (L>R) are Kathleen McCrone, Jeff McCrone, Dorothea Wattles, Aaron Rimmer, Andy Dickson, Lynn Knowles and Allen Knowles. Not pictured are Larry Scherer and his friend Katherine. Crews circled the three top loops and part of Snowsnake.
CAN’T MAKE THE WORKDAY?
If you are unable to make our workday, schedule your own with a friend. Be sure to fill out a Volunteer Service Agreement in advance and mail it to Allegany Nordic, PO Box 136, Great Valley NY 14741. Contact Andy at info(a)alleganynordic.org for a specific assignment and updated on recent trailwork.
DRAINAGE- The most we can do is stopping the water from running down the trail. That either means unplugging a culvert, diverting the water off the trail, digging a water bar to prevent it from coming onto the trail, or removing the muck in the ditch that is diverting water onto the trail. Once you’ve examined a problem area, it is usually possible to find the source of the problem and fix it. Culverts that are nearly plugged should be reopened. With regard to the damage and erosion done by water running down the trail, we really don’t have the capability to fix these problems, as the job is just too big.
VEGETATION- Cutbacks are easy work. It is just a matter of working along the margins of the trail and clipping the face-slappers and moving the trimmings well off the trail, as these can cause obstruction of the ditch and an eventual wash-over. If a young tree is growing too close to the trail, cut it at ground level. If a tree is growing a secondary limb that is encroaching on the trail space, cut only that is growing into the trail and allow the primary stem to continue to grow.
FALLEN DEBRIS- Dead and fallen debris on the trail, trail shoulder and in the ditches needs to be removed. The vegetation cutback and debris removal should be done with an eye toward restoring sufficient trails width for skiers and grooming equipment.
