PMBA's first trail maintenance day, working with FOW
Pre-planning the route - Tom, Dmitri and Dave placed flags to mark various alternative routes before deciding on the final design
The original trail was washing out. You can see the flags for the new trail heading to the right of the picture.
Here's how the planned route (as marked by the flags) looked along the original trail
The old trail from the top before the project.
Before the project - from the bottom of the trail looking up. The route for the new trail is marked with the orange flags.
The top part of the old trail. The section above the orange flags remains in place. The lower section was rerouted in this trail project.
Here's part of the original trail after some work had started. It ran straight down the fall line and was beginning to erode seriously.
The new trail had been marked and roughed out
Dave briefs some volunteers on the project
Dave and John winch a rock up from the stream bed...
... while Dmitri and Lance line it up below.
Clearing out the new trail
Chopping up the old trail in preparation for planting vegetation
The top of the old trail was blocked off
Chopping up the old trail
The Gator carried in the tools and was parked on the other side of the creek
Lots happening here - the workers on the left are clearing and tamping down the soil in the new trail. The workers on the right are dragging vegetation into the old trail. Meanwhile, Dave helps winch another rock from the stream bed.
“Can't talk now, Mom - I'm kinda busy...”
John and Lance steady the rock in the streambed while Dave and Dmitri work up top
Pulling the rock up the bank
Thanks to some sponsors for providing the necessary food and water
Carefully planting plants in the old trail
A large hole was dug ...
... for this large rock.
Each rock was carefully placed
A hole is scooped out for one rock while Dave places another into place. Rocks along the trail break up water flowing down the trail, pushing it to the sides of the trail,
Neal digs a hole for placement of the rocks in the pile.
Checking the placement of a rock in the trench.
Two teams work on rock placement along the trail. This waterbar will direct water off of the trail into the wooded area to the right.
Another rock gets placed to form a water bar
Dmitri, Rob and John confer on the placement of rocks for a water bar. Each rock was placed with a specific objective.
The old trail is now largely covered by new organic topsoil.
Dmitri and Dave check out the progress
Vegetation is starting to cover the old trail
Dave tamps down the earth around a rock placement
John carefully fits together another set of rocks in a hole
The team works to cover the old trail. They replanted vegetation and watered it when done.
Tom carefully checks the inclination of the trail. Proper grading is necessary to assure correct drainage
Building a berm at a sharp turn on the new trail
Rob lugs another rock
New vegetation gets planted along the old trail
The first biker comes thru on the new trail
The stream crossing was slightly widened to spread the flow of water. Dmitri shows the new trail width.
John and Jan bring another rock to use as a waterbar
Tree limbs were placed along the sides of the trail to prevent shortcuts
When the vegetation was planted, larger trees were moved over the old trail area
Jamie, Nick and Neal work to tamp down the soil over the rocks that create the new water bars.
This pit is at the bottom of the trail to capture water runoff and allow it to percolate through the soil, rather than carrying silt into the stream.
Tine to clean up - Jamie gathers up some tools
The old trail is now unrecognizable - it's completely covered by trees and vegetation.
The end of the new trail has a gradual curve, ending in rock cover to prevent erosion
The new trail is covered by new dirt tamped down to create a smooth surface.
The view of the new trail from the top
This trail cutout is blocked to make the water percolate along the hillside rather than carrying silt directly into the stream
The first horse comes thru the new trail
Hoofprints will gradually disappear as the soil compacts
Dave and Dmitri survey the end of the project
