July 10 2022
With the sun
bearing down and blue in the sky, we did some biking on the
Middle and Upper sections of ERTS July 10th. We're
calling the middle section the stretch between Ivydale and
Dundon. The upper section is Ivydale to Nottingham Store in
Duck. On the 10th, ERTS was being well used, at least by
bikers.
For 2022, the 30 some miles of ERTS is a more mature looking
tourist attraction. Here's a pic looking North just above
Ivydale, milepost 48 or so. This section has several new
culverts in place and the ditch line is pretty much in good
shape. That ditch line is the most important part of
maintenance along the hiking biking horseback riding tourist
attraction. Without good ditching, ERTS would wash away
after about any rain blast.
On this date we noticed a real need for additional weed whacking along the edges.
Don't get too excited if a little red / brown short haired dog with a whippet tail travels along with ya. We can attest, the doggy can keep up with bikes going 8+ mph. He seemed to enjoy the exercise both up and back.
On this date we noticed a real need for additional weed whacking along the edges.
Don't get too excited if a little red / brown short haired dog with a whippet tail travels along with ya. We can attest, the doggy can keep up with bikes going 8+ mph. He seemed to enjoy the exercise both up and back.
Heading South
from Ivydale the trail was much more manicured. There's
evidence that picnic tables are at the ready, maybe be in use
this Fall.
Hands down, the nicest section of ERTS is the middle, center, section where lawns are well kept, those sitting on porches wave and say howdy to users.
Along the way is the best kept garden along the trail. It's worth the trip just to take it in. This area is known as the old Sampson place.
Both the upper and middle section
are suffering from loss of that super soft top coat of regrind
asphalt and more recently, "limestone dust". Both, either,
keep the crouch comfy. Unfortunately, now under state
ownership, the guys in Charleston have switched over to a
crusher run top coat. It works but comes nowhere near the
smoothness of the original covering.
While there is, never has been, any kind of damage from four wheeler use on ERTS, there is an issue with Govt trucks, govt policing vehicles, Badge side by sides, tearing up that top coat. Now, the larger under base gravel is showing thru. We're hoping more attention is given to keeping the pathway to fun top coat smooth.
On the upside, with that state ownership comes maintenance and policing. We are aware of the stories of homeless people appearing to be intimidating in a couple areas of the path, noticeably between Dundon and Pisgah, with the Park Superintendent tooling around and maintenance workers out there almost daily, we have personally seen no problems with seedy characters lurching around..
Hands down, the nicest section of ERTS is the middle, center, section where lawns are well kept, those sitting on porches wave and say howdy to users.
Along the way is the best kept garden along the trail. It's worth the trip just to take it in. This area is known as the old Sampson place.
While there is, never has been, any kind of damage from four wheeler use on ERTS, there is an issue with Govt trucks, govt policing vehicles, Badge side by sides, tearing up that top coat. Now, the larger under base gravel is showing thru. We're hoping more attention is given to keeping the pathway to fun top coat smooth.
On the upside, with that state ownership comes maintenance and policing. We are aware of the stories of homeless people appearing to be intimidating in a couple areas of the path, noticeably between Dundon and Pisgah, with the Park Superintendent tooling around and maintenance workers out there almost daily, we have personally seen no problems with seedy characters lurching around..
Electric bikes are the big hit on ERTS. Sunday afternoon we noticed four such units buzzing down ERTS and enjoying every inch of their way.
When ERTS opened a couple years back, local yocals were complaining about all them foreigners entering our remotely beautiful isolation. Fears were that the trail would be littered with beer cans, bottles, and other litter.
We're not seeing that. Instead, the users are often seen picking up after themselves. As for seeing trash around, ain't happened.
Other concerns were that ATV's would turn ERTS into a miniature speedway. During the first few months we did see some four wheelers on the trail. We haven't seen any of that in 2021 and 2022. Maybe it's the fear of some hefty fine that keeps locals at bay. Or, maybe, our Clayonians are realizing how important it is for tourists to experience a quiet path without fear of getting run over. Which ever, so far, knock on wood please, ERTS remains a great place to take the family and friends for great fun without any kind of fee or charge.
We've even seen hikers, bikers, carrying small saws / nippers and cutting back saplings and tall weeds. That's an indication of the type of people using ERTS.
State and local governments have a way of screwing up good things. The talk of the State erecting gates and barriers is still around. We hope that doesn't happen. When some dumb bunny decides on those barriers, it will be the end of the remotely beautiful Elk River Trail System and coming State Park.
While we've got warm weather, why not try it out for yourself. See ya on ERTS
AW