Report Type: TM Report:
Trail Name: West Rock Ridge SP
Town: Hamden
Trail Conditions: Damp to muddy
Observations/Information: I worked on the Red Trail from the main entrance on Wintergreen Ave. south to its junction with an unmarked trail at the base of the climb to the South Overlook. This section of trail was well-designed, and basically follows the contours of the ridge with only minor climbs and descents. However, the erosion control measures are showing their age, as culverts and drainage ditches have filled in with debris, and water now runs over the trail in some sections.
The state has done a project right near the road where workers dug a drainage ditch and connected it to a culvert, plus placed some gravel on the trail. About a 1/3 mile section of this trail needs this type of work done, combined with
cleaning out the culverts. I tried cleaning culverts a couple of years ago, but it's extremely difficult to do without a specialized tool. As far as digging a drainage ditch, it's on my list of "Yea, I'd like to get to that some day." At one bend in the trail, the culvert is completed filled with gravel, and the water coming down off the ridge has caused significant erosion, washing away the surface by about one foot of depth. Thankfully, most of this section of train is holding up well.
I concentrated on cutting back brush that was hanging over the trail, and removing any downed branches. There were several large trees that had been recently cut with chainsaws, indication of damage from Irene. I removed one 6-inch thick oak that fell across the trail at about knee height. Regrettably, it had a blaze on it. The blazes, whcih I did in 2007, are holding up well for the most part. While on the trail, I encountered a dog walker, a few runners from Southern Conn. State Univ., and a class from Common Ground High School that was out for a walk.
I worked my way back from the junction of the Red Trail with the climb to the South Overlook on an unmarked trail that is about 6 feet wide. It connects to the Red-White Diamond Trail out of Common Ground High School before merging back with the Red Trail. This is the last unmarked trail in the park that I would like to get blazed. In the other direction, it connects out to the ballfield in Westville. It makes an excellent loop with the Red Trail, so people don't have to do an out and back on the Red Trail. As I left the park, I picked up my usual 5 gallon bucket of trash.
I suggested to Lori Linquist, the park supervisor, to officially open to mountain biking some of the trails that are presently closed, but are popular with cyclists, particularly the Yellow Trail connecting Mountain Road to Baldwin Drive, and the Purple-White Trail, and the Purple Trail from the Purple-White Trail out to Main Street. I may suggest tossing the Green Trail into that mix. The Yellow Trail will need some work before I can move the suggestion along. There are a couple of sections that are steep and noticeably eroded, and would benefit from a combination of some minor relocations with some water control measures.
In my newly appointed role as Trail Manager for the Blue-Blazed Regicides Trail that runs the length of the ridge, I will be putting up "No Bikes" signs to remind people that this trail is hiking only. I have encountered the very occasional bike up there, and the cyclists have been pleading ignorance about trail usage. I plan to move forward with a suggestion to the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association, which oversees the trail, to allow bikes on the section of the Blue Trail from the Red Trail at the northern end of the park out to Baldwin Drive. Currently, bikes who ride up to the ridge from the fishing pond have no authorized way to get out to Baldwin Drive. I looked at building a parallel bike trail, but the terrain is extremely steep and covered with mountain laurel, so adding a use to the existing trail, which is relatively level, technical single-track is the way to go.
The picture was taken Oct. 31, 2009 along the Red Trail, and shows the crumbled remains of one of three sets of steps in the area.
Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
How did you use the trail? Hiking/Walking
Trails Ridden: Red and Unmarked
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 2.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 2
Images/Photos: Red Trail steps, Oct. 2009.jpg
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