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SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

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SMCC
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SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by SMCC »

Our Forestry Department (DCNR) has asked Seven Mountains Conservation Corp (SMCC) to complete 4 trail projects in 2013, one of which is on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop. They have asked us to put in banked switchback turns on Summit Trail between Middle Ridge Trail and Henstep Valley Road on the Easternmost part of the system.

The Dual Sport Loop has many Fall Line trails that are becoming very eroded. The solution for this problem is to install a series of switchback trails that bypass the fall line trail. DCNR supports this solution even going as far as using fire training teams to back cut the off camber part of the trail. One of the challenges with this approach is that when the turns are located on a steep part of the hill, a true banked switchback turn must be installed to allow it to be used by the average rider and to keep it sustainable. Installation of these turns are very labor intensive.

I just received a copy of the new Dual Sport Loop map and even though we have lost several single track trails, DCNR has left a lot of them in the system. There is a minimum of 8 of the fall line trails that will need to be fixed and IMHO if we don't fix them, we will loose them. SMCC is covering all of the expenses for these projects out of money generated from events and memberships so your continued support is greatly appreciated.

As soon as we have dates for the trail work locked down, I will alert everyone so that hopefully we can rally the troops to pick up a shovel and help us move some dirt.

Thanks,

Matt Spigelmyer
Seven Mountains Conservation Corp
www.sevenmountainsconservationcorp.com
entry@sevenmountainsconservationcorp.com
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phoo
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by phoo »

Subscribed. Where are these trails (zip code)?


Thanks,

~Patrick
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by Boom Boom »

phoo wrote:Subscribed. Where are these trails (zip code)?


Thanks,

~Patrick
The trails are part of the 7-mountains dual sport trail system.
If the trail repairs are not performed the state will just close the trail.
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by J&J »

:thumbup: :thumbup: Let us know!
SMCC
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by SMCC »

Hi All,

Trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop has been scheduled for Saturday September 7th. We are renting 2 mini track hoes to do the bulk of the heavy lifting but still need a ton of manpower to build rock walls, create bench cuts and close off the old fall line trail. The trail is off of RT 235 between Troxelville and Glen Iron (central PA). Work starts at 8:00am and Seven Mountains Conservation Corp will provide lunch.

Remember, 2 days of work will get you a free membership which allows you to ride our kick ass trails and support a great cause.

The future of this trail system depends on our willingness to replace fall line trails with switchbacks. My count shows 13 sections that will need to have this work completed. The good news is that every one completed will add mileage to the trail system.

We also have our final Mini Dual Sport event on Sunday September 8th so come out and help with the trails on Saturday and ride the Dual Sport on Sunday.

Please e-mail me with any questions. matt@transducerdesign.com

Thanks,

Matt Spigelmyer
Director
Seven Mountains Conservation Corp
www.sevenmountainsconservationcorp.com
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by Boom Boom »

Would love to help out but your project is scheduled same w/e as the Michaux enduro and I am working the event.
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by SMCC »

We had a great weekend working on the project. We completely revamped Summit Trail between Middle Ridge Trail and Henstep Valley Road in the Bald Eagle State Forest. 8 members of Seven Mountains Conservation Corp replaced a .25 mile long badly eroded fall line trail with .75 miles of fun switchback trails. We put in a true switchback turn on the one turn that was on a steep part of the hill, cut bench's in where necessary, cleared back brush on the entire legnth and cut water bars/closed off the old fall line trail. Hopefully this will become the model that the Forestry Department uses going forward on how to deal with these eroded fall line trails. It sure beats having them closed down.

If anyone has a chance to ride this section before the fall closure, please give us your feedback.

Our intent is to schedule 2 projects like this for 2014. If we can muster some help from non club members, we may be able to tackle more.

Please check out our website http://www.sevenmountainsconservationcorp.com to become a member. Join now and your membership will extend trough 2014. Check out our facebook page to see pics of the weekends work.

Thanks,

Matt
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by Boom Boom »

Thanks for all the great work Matt, just wish it was not scheduled on the same weekend as the Michaux enduro.
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Re: SMCC trail work on the Seven Mountains Dual Sport Loop

Post by SMCC »

No worries, we actually sent several club members down to the enduro to run a check on Sunday.

I sent an e-mail off to DCNR this morning outlining 12 projects that we think need to be completed on the dual sport loop to make it sustainable so there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to help out in the future.
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