George C Waldo State Park

Date: 12/31/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury, CT
Trail Conditions: Awesome

Observations/Information: Last ride of 2014 and it was awesome. When I got to Waldo, there was only one car in the lot but when I left 2 hours later, all available spots were taken and people were parked on the other side of the street, too!  I gave up my spot to someone who just pulled in since I was leaving.

Rode most of the trails in both directions and they are holding up pretty well. There were a few ruts here and there when it appears people rode after the big rains we recently had.  Of course, the stream crossing on the latest new trail needs something radically done here, like a bridge or a decent rock armoring until the bridge is installed.

Found the new skinny but it's a little high for my liking.

Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 12/21/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown
Trail Conditions: Wet and rideable for now
Observations/Information: Last night's snow made for slippery surfaces on all the roots and rocks on the Gussy today but the trail is holding up nicely despite all the precipitation.

What is not holding up at all is the Mulikin Trail. Please stay off this trail until either the ground freezes or there is a significant snow fall. It is pure mush on the downhill section and if people keep riding it its only going to get worse.

 

Found a used Gu at bottom of the Gussy that I policed up.  Seriously?  Can't blame that one on the hunters.

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: Dec. 14, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford
Trail Conditions: Trail or Streambed?

Observations/Information: I did a loop hike around the reservoirs. The track from a previous year is here. http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/440014994.

With the recent heavy rains, many trails were more like running streambeds. The trail down to the waterfall north of Reservoir 4 sustained heavy erosion, making an already bad situation even worse. That trail is definitely not rideable.

Along the way, I nipped some overhanging branches here and there. A friend had brought his electric chainsaw and cleared the birch tree that was blocking the woods road north of Reservoir 2.
We noticed the pile of culverts by the entrance off Rt. 42, and noticed they were replaced by rocky stream crossings. We did not like having to wade through the water.

This was the reply I received from Jerry Milne, state forester, "The culverts were originally installed by the water company. They were severely undersized for the size of the watershed they served. They used water main pipes that were way too small, so they would easily clog. They washed out, and the water would be diverted down the road, or over the road, washing out the road also. The fords are designed to need less maintenance. The water runs over the riprap at the stream crossing. I've walked over them when water is running with no problem."

A fellow hiker who happens to be a professional engineer said the state could have left the culverts in place and added the rocks as a backup when the water flow was too great. I like that idea. I also suggested to Jerry Milne that it would have been good if the state had dug some trenches in the riprap to channel the water when it flows less and then hikers could step on dry ground in between.
We did notice that some of the woods roads had fresh gravel on them, which we appreciated. Others continue to be heavily eroded with very uneven footing.

I sent a photo with a locator map to Nate Hale, the state park supervisor, regarding the Camaro near Reservoir 4, and asked if the state could get it out of there when the ground freezes. The pickup truck by Reservoir 2 was taken out a year or 2 ago, but we did see the plastic bed remaining. I picked up a bucket's worth of litter along the trails and near the parking area. I need to get back there and cut the bittersweet vines by the parking lot which are 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
How did you use the trail? Hiking/Walking
Trails Ridden: Various woods roads and trails
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 3.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 7
Image 1: Naug. Forest, water across road.jpg
Image 2: Naug. Forest, tree, 12-14.jpg

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 11/23/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest (West Block)
Town: Oxford/Beacon Falls
Trail Conditions: Leafy and mostly dry

Observations/Information: I finally got the ride I intended to have last week (but which ended early due to mechanical: rear brake). http://www.mapmytracks.com/explore/activity/1737245

At first I was afraid the freeze and thaw would mean mushy trails, but happily that wasn't the case. (The usual squishy spots were squishy, though.) Not sure if everything will remain as rideable given the warmth and rain forecast, so proceed with caution.

In at Res 4, did my little warmup loop, then down the Camaro trail, right onto the singletrack bypass to the power lines, then down to Res 2. Almost at the Res 2 loop, there's a widowmaker hung up across the trail. Ride-underable, but it needs to go.

Millers Pond State Park

Date: November 15, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Millers Pond State Park
Town: Durham
Trail Conditions: Good, clear, leafy

Observations/Information: I tagged along with a group ride at Millers Pond Saturday morning. We had 10 riders and did a figure-eight on the practice and XC loop (the trails north of the pond). The whole trip took about 2 1/2 hours with a few short breaks and one stop to repair a flat tire.

This ride was part of an effort to take some pressure off Rockland, where the trails are fine but the parking lots are starting to overflow on weekends. The trails at "Millaz" are still there, still fun, and in great shape. There are leaves down of course, but the trails are not blocked and the surface is in good shape. The trails were dry on Saturday morning. New log rides are popping up as well.

we rode down to the stream from the parking lot, back up the bailout to the gate, then we went in by the dam and rode the XC loop clockwise back to the stream. Finally we rode out on the bailout to the gate again. The trails are a little more challenging and less flowy than Rockland, and the skinnies tend to be higher and narrower, with more abrupt transitions up on to them. Having some suspension makes the ride more comfortable and fun.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glenn
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Practice and XC loops
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 2.25
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6 miles
Image 1: Millaz 11-15-14 007.JPG
Image 2: Millaz 11-15-14 008.JPG
Image 3: Millaz 11-15-14 012.JPG

Tyler Mill

Date: 11/13/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Tyler Mill
Town: Wallyworld
Trail Conditions: Good, leafy

Observations/Information: I took a ride at Tyler Mill today. I was joined by one other guy, Marc, who had never ridden The Mill before. I showed him the good stuff. We started at the Vet's Park lot and rode yellow, blue, red, red/black, and purple, as well as some of the unmarked side trails. The trails were clear of blow downs and grow-ins, and were dry in all but one or two places. There was a fluffy layer of dry leaves that concealed the roots and small rocks that are everywhere on these trails, and made the tight corners harder to negotiate. This is something New England riders have to learn to deal with. There's a new stair step bridge on red and a new elevated corduroy bridge under construction on green

We had a good time on the fast twisty trails at The Mill. We rode the teeter and some of the skinnies. The trails are pretty devoid of big hits but there's enough chatter that some suspension will make the ride more comfortable.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Blue, yellow, red, red/black, purple, green unmarked.
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1 3/4
Approximate Distance (Miles): 9.5

George C Waldo State Park

Date: 11/9/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Leafy/twiggy but otherwise fine

Observations/Information: Did a quick AM loop (WW -> Daffy -> Hunters -> Fire Road).

Someone must've knocked loose one of the rocks in the first rockover on WW off the parking lot. (Moved it after I finished the ride.)

Stopped several and many times to kick(mostly small) branches off trail. Over by a big blowdown on WW (shortly after the eastern junction with Daffy) a smaller tree came down atop it and across (over) the trail. I could probably duck and ride under it, but someone bigger and/or on a 29er might not, so to avoid a braid forming to the right, I got rid of it.

Rockland Preserve

Date: 11/5/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Rockland Preserve
Town: Madison
Trail Conditions: Good

Observations/Information: I participated in a group ride at Rockland on Wednesday the 5th joined by Andy, Dave and Kevin. Great ride, and the trails were in great shape. Just one wet area, at the very beginning of Thunderdome, and some thorns growing in on the top of East Loop. There were some sticks on the trail from the recent high winds, but no blockages. The parking lot has also been graded and gravel has been put down. No more eternal mud pit. Rockland was busy as usual, one ride was wrapping up and two beginning.

We did a 10 mile loop and lingered at the skinnies. I found that having front suspension makes them easier. The transition up on to the skinny is less bouncy and it's easier to hold your line.

Rockland is the place to practice your log skinny skills, and the trails are holding up fantastically.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: East Loop, Thunderdome, Darkside, Mobius.
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 2.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 10
Image Description(s)/Instructions:

Quillinan Reservoir

Date: 10/26/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Quillinan Reservoir
Town: Seymour
Trail Conditions: Excellent

Observations/Information: I took a ride on the Quillinan Reservoir trails after trail work last Saturday along with Ian from Thule, his dog, and Bob on a fat bike. People at the Thule HQ in Seymour built and maintain these trails, with CCT NEMBA's help, and they did a fantastic job. The trails are well built, very well maintained, and continuously improved. We had just finished a rock armoring project that morning.

The trails are rocky and the terrain hilly. If you've ever ridden the XC loop at Millers Pond these trails will remind you of it, although they're a little more friendly to intermediates. There are some long climbs and descents. About the first 1/2 mile of trail had been raked clear of leaves, revealing the rocks and roots. The trail flows well, call it rocky flow. Some suspension will make the ride more comfortable.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours):
Approximate Distance (Miles):
Image 1: Quinilan 102614 018.JPG
Image 2: Quinilan 102614 020.JPG
Image 3: Quinilan 102614 024.JPG
Image Description(s)/Instructions:

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: October 29, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, leafy

Observations/Information: Took a quick sin at Wadsworth Falls on Wednesday. The trails were in good shape overall, although there are two trees down on the Rockfall side. One is on the yellow/green trail, and has been there for a while. It's tricky to ride but doable. The other is at the very end of Taco Bell, just above the steep slope that leads down to the orange road. It's also rideable. The trails on state park land are clear, with evidence of recent log removal and trail trimming. Thanks to whomever did that. There are now more leaves on the ground than in the trees, creating a fluffy coat over the ground, like a just-brushed Pomeranian, that hides the ricks and roots.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Pink, yellow, red, yellow/black, Taco Bell, Alex's, unmarked.
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6.7
Image 1: Wadsworth 112914 001.JPG

Larkin State Bridle Trail

Date: 10/19/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Larkin State Bridle Trail
Town: Oxford/Middlebury/Naugatuck/Southbury
Trail Conditions: Mostly decent (a little leafy here and there)

Observations/Information: Since I haven't in a long time, I decided to do the end-to-end ride on the Larkin. My usual deal: ride up to the Riggs Street crossing, right on the trail, take it to 63, turn around and head all the way the other direction (Kettletown Road in Southbury), then back to Riggs and home.

I decided I didn't want the added absurdity of taking the orange beast (not that I haven't in the past), so I wrestled the Dawg out of the garage for the occasion. (To see the state of the garage is to understand.) Stopped for a quick photo of Towantic Pond (and to fix one of the straps on the Maxpedition pack).

River Highlands State Park

Date: 9/26/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: River Highlands State Park
Town: Cromwell
Trail Conditions: Good

Observations/Information: I took a spin at River Highlands Friday afternoon. I only rode the trails on the southern end of the park because I decided to ride up to up to Dividend Pond in Rocky Hill (about a 2 mile road ride). It's a pretty cool place with terrain a lot like River Highlands. The current inventory of trails is small and not outstanding from a mountain bike standpoint, although there is a fun double gravity cavity feature. The place does have a lot of potential, though, and I'm working on recruiting a local so we can investigate to possibility of improving the current trails and maybe building new ones.

There was a tree down on the red trail (dirt road section) at River Highlands, which I cleared (photo).

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Red, green (southern section)
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 9 miles
Image 1: BlowHole 092714 001.JPG

West Rock Ridge SP

Date: Sept. 27, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: West Rock Ridge SP
Town: Hamden and New Haven
Trail Conditions: Dry and rideable

Observations/Information: I have been at the park several times in the last week, including today when I rode the length of the park on Baldwin Drive, up to Judges Cave and the South Overlook, and I finished with the Lake Wintergreen circuit on White and Red. Earlier this week I did some trail work, starting from the Red-White Trail on Hill Street to the Red Trail. All these areas were clear of blowdowns, but on Baldwin Drive keep an eye out for random branches that may be hidden under the leaves.
The trails are dry and rideable. Even the seasonal watercourse by Hill Street is completely dry, despite the recent rains.
I cleaned up two buckets worth of beer bottles and cans from the weeds by the Hill Street parking lot. I also cleaned up another two buckets worth of the same from over the fence by the South Overlook.

Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak123 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Baldwin Drive, Red, White
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 3
Approximate Distance (Miles): 12
Image 1: New Haven early eve. from NE overlook, 9-14.jpg
Image Description(s)/Instructions: This picture shows New Haven shining in the late afternoon sun from the overlook on the Red Trail at the north end of West Rock.

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 9/19/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford (and a tiny bit of Beacon Falls)
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry (weedy in places)

Observations/Information: AM Naugy ride. Wore blaze orange Trail Ambassador jersey cuz bow season is upon us (and orange beast is now sporting brand spanking new fluorescent orange grips).

Up the Othah Powwah Line trail to the beaver pond. Figuring the little connector path on the west side of Res 4 was brambly, I rode up Chestnut Tree Hill Road from the Res 4 lot to the gate. Cleared a couple big branches. (Carefully) rode the rocky part down to the (mostly dry now) mucky patch, then hike-a-bike up the stone face to the trail up top. The big mud puddles up top were for the most part dry.

Visited the beavers, then back down via the trail that runs east of Res 4 down to Res 2. (Walked the nasty, steep, washed-out, loose rocky stretch cuz nasty, steep and rocky. Fine ride past it, though, down to #2.)

Loop around 2, up to 3, across the dam then back up to 4 and out. Still plenty of poop on the reservoir loop (maybe it should be known as the Poop Loop).

No other users in sight, but a truck in the lot with a Bowtech decal, so it's probably a Good Thing I wore blaze.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 1:15
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4.64

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 9/17/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford/Beacon Falls
Trail Conditions: Weed tunnels in places

Observations/Information: Naugy, West Block, first thing AM ride.

Just to be different, I decided to hang the right off Res 4 and go down the west side of Res 3, then ride backward my usual route.

The weeds in the piney mess are really taking over (and I was thankful it was cool enough to wear long pants and sleeves, or I'd have been ripped open by prickers). The pine litter around that log I defanged last time through there was wet with dew and extremely slippery - almost dumped it there. (DID, in fact, dump it farther down when I attempted a hop and failed cuz klutz.)

Crossed the Res 3 dam and proceeded down to Res 2, making the loop counterclockwise down to Res 1, then back up and around the east side of 2. Decided to ride up the trail I normally ride down, then - since I hadn't been that way in a long time (and was promptly reminded why) - headed right and up the Powwah Line Trail: steep, rocky, nasty, grown in with mountain laurel and prickers, and did I mention steep?

Did that hike-a-bike all the way up the hill. Where the trail (finally) flattens out a bit and crosses to the north side of the power lines, in the woods there is a tree down I don't seem to recall, you have to duck your way under. Rode the rest of the power line trail up top, then connected with the fire road branch, taking the quick detour out on the fork to the right for the view over Beacon Falls and Route 8.

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 9/12/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, one tree down.

Observations/Information: Took a spin at Wadsworth Falls on Friday. The trails were in good shape, soil dry but not dusty. There's a tree down on yellow/black on the Rockfall side. It has been crudely ramped and is tricky to negotiate due to being springy, off-camber, and angled to the trail tread. The tree is too large to drag or cut with a folding saw. The gnomes have also been busy- there's a new log ride on the unmarked singletrack between white and yellow (photo). It's still wobbly and the approach angle is awkward. Hopefully it's a work in progress and these issues will be addressed.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, white, blue, Alex's, Taco Bell, yellow/black
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.15
Approximate Distance (Miles): 7 miles
Image 1: 005.JPG

George C Waldo State Park

Date: 9/15/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Mostly good, some showing wear

Observations/Information: Quick AM ride @ Waldo: WW -> Daffy -> WW -> Hunters -> Fire road back

Saw what looked like the formation of a couple of rogue trails on Daffy, near its closest point to the fire road. (Two green dots with blue halos on map.)

Only other items of note: some of the stone wall crossings are getting looser; some of the steeper, rockier sections of WW are feeling wear (no surprise since it's getting it); I came over a rock feature and got slapped in the face by a tree, so I stopped to do a little lopping.

(I made sure Paula was aware of the above.)

Encountered one walker on the way out (and no bears, fortunately).

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Where's Waldo, Daffy Duck, Hunter's, Fire Road
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 0:50
Approximate Distance (Miles): 3.1

Salmon River State Forest

Date: 9/6/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Salmon River State Forest
Town: East Hampton
Trail Conditions: Buff
Observations/Information: Took a spin at the Salmon River trails (the ones along the rail trail) w/ the bro on Sunday the 6th. The trails were in great shape. Really nothing for us to do TA-wise except comment on the awesomeness of the trails. These are some of the best flow trails I've ridden in Connecticut. Well-built, fun and sustainable. Speed up and slow down by gravity (obviously you will need to pedal too). No fall line or hard braking turns (there are some older, poorly designed moto trails and woods roads in the area as well). The soil was dry but not dusty, the streams were running but low.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Various
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 2
Approximate Distance (Miles): 12

Rockland Preserve

Date: 9/14/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Rockland Preserve
Town: Madison
Trail Conditions: Good
Observations/Information: Cleared fallen trees from Orange trail where it connects to beyond t/d extension and darkside.
Trail Ambassador Name: Dave O
Trail Ambassador E-mail:
How did you use the trail? Other
Trails Ridden: Hiked
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 2
Approximate Distance (Miles): 1.5

Grayville Falls Park

Date: 9/13/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Grayville Falls Park
Town: Hebron
Trail Conditions: Very Good
Observations/Information: Trails in good shape. Fun to ride loops starting from the West side and moving East. Bridges and skinnies need some TLC.
Trail Ambassador Name: Dave O
Trail Ambassador E-mail:
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Red Ones on Map
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 2 hours
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6