MTB Trailcare

"After" the rain may be premature as they say the low pressure system that dropped 120mm on Springbrook in the 24 hours to 9 this morning may come back.  Whatever,  Ash and I went out to check how the latest work on Pete's held up to the rain, but also ended up going over to Brett's to cut and clear another tree that had fallen over the trail, as well as clearing an older, fallen tree that was interfering with sightlines.  I have no pictures from Brett's because I left my camera on Pete's.  

Here's what we did on Pete's last time out.  The pressed-in stone section was OK even if more stones would be better

Below the reclaimed section of trail, the high point was soft, but sound

The grass clumps transplanted to the closure were standing up and looking good.  There's plenty of water in the soil under them

Up to this point it looked satisfactory, but we knew the new work would not have survived unscathed.  Not because of the weather, but as usual, because of riders out proving their prowess on saturated trail

At this spot we increased the depth of the inslope drainage and scooped out as much mush as possible  Some of the water in this bog hole was flow, but most was coming from below the surface.  We knew that was likely to happen, so why did we add soil?  To protect roots.  Apart from needing protection, roots also channel subsoil water.  To protect them, you have to raise the tread.  Where there is a lack of stone and lots of black soil, you just have to hope people ride your outside, bermed line and avoid the soft base of the turn, or better still - stay out of the forest for a few more days.  At least two riders have ridden the stable lines, the next best thing to not being there  

Next time we check this spot, we will, no doubt have to start again.  The patch of plasterers slop will not handle tyres until it has a few days to set.  Based on experience, that will not happen.  

We believe there is need for a new trail section here to bypass all the sections pictured above, plus the unnecessary switchbacks immediately below it.  While we have confidence in our recent works, the switchbacks nearby will never stay dry and the whole lot should be bypassed and revegetated.  Despite all the hours of volunteer work that have gone into it!

Farther up Pete's we drained some perenial puddles and hammered in some exposed stones to encourage a more natural line through the drained sections

Ashley transplanted all the grass dug from these drains to an old trail line that pours water onto the trail between the last two drains pictured.  Whilst we believe this section is also a terrible bit of trail requiring a re-route, one that should also bypass another series of unnecessary and awful turns and switchbacks, we have not yet approached QPWS with a request to re-route.  The best trail re-route through the entire area covered in this trail news may be over 300m, so for now, we have to all support Ashley's unlimited passion for doing everything we can to protect and care for the National Park, even if it does not involve making or renovating the trails we ride

I really like what the last picture represents.  Anyone can dig ground up, but  there's a lot more to looking after the park.

Louis