MTB Trailcare

Ranger Mark Patenaude took time to accompany Ash and I to the site on Three Hills Singletrack featured in the March 10 trail news.  We had a good talk about the worksite, trailbuilding in general, our combined thoughts about appropriate trail standards and trail maintenance.  Fundraising was a topic, the trail audit, caring for the legal trails - Three Hills Singletrack and Casuarina Loop, bringing Wimps and Norco online, scheduled burns, vehicle access, liability, tools and tool storage were other topics.  

We were given a number of QPWS trail closure signs of the design we favour - light, easily fastened and removed and featuring a large "STOP" sign.  We hope they wil only be required on lower Pete's as the higher trails continue to dry (as well as get some work this week).  We would like to get Brett's and most of Pete's open again this weekend - not a promise.

The short summary is that we continue to feel very positive about the future of MTB in the Nerang National Park.  Thanks Mark for your time and attention.

It was getting dark with low clouds and showers coming in off the coast, but we still had a drain to build.  It has to remove almost all water from the trail above the work done last Sunday.  As is our agreed process, all thoughts current and prior are discussed and then new ways of looking at the job are raised.  This way a best-overall option is selected.  It is not a process for beginners, especially at 6PM.

First we embedded more stones into the highest drain made last Sunday, so it will be firmer next visit.  Then to the new work, where we added two corral rocks to dictate line choice and protect exposed roots, plus a gentle rolling grade dip, dug on quality soil.  Under the fine sediment and sand delivered by runoff was a brilliant mix of gravel and organic loam.  Where the water has started to run over can be seen as a dark stain in the poor pictures to follow.  We stored some soil for later use and finished-up about 6.30PM.

The aim was to reduce water flow down the trail.  An advantage is to allow climbing riders a better chance at the really difficult, uphill corner ahead, at least until the new Three Hills Singletrack offers an alternative.  Check the thread March 10 for the before pics.