July 21 2021
On this hump day Wednesday afternoon, we
took a wittle time to check out ERTS from Ivydale down river to
around the 55 mile stick marker. We have that write up down
below. Before getting to that, some updates....
On Tuesday, July 20th, the ribbon was cut on the $5.7 million rebuilding project along the BC&G RR spur line. When completed (in 300 days), that will open up another 17 or so miles of hiking, biking, horsey riding plus the tourist rail effort will be back in business. That includes pedal car rides and powered, jitney rides. We're hoping, as soon as the rails are rebuilt, a rail bus addition will be in the works.
Wednesday afternoon we noticed railroad contractor trucks were on the job in the Cresmont area of the trail.
Part of ERTS in the lower section have been blocked with concrete barriers for several months. Those barriers made pulling or pushing stroller next to impossible. Ditto for horseback riding and horse pulled buggies. That ruined several miles of trail usage in the lower section.
Happily, we can report, the barriers have been removed and things are back to good.
OK, now for the trail update, South of Ivydale....
On Tuesday, July 20th, the ribbon was cut on the $5.7 million rebuilding project along the BC&G RR spur line. When completed (in 300 days), that will open up another 17 or so miles of hiking, biking, horsey riding plus the tourist rail effort will be back in business. That includes pedal car rides and powered, jitney rides. We're hoping, as soon as the rails are rebuilt, a rail bus addition will be in the works.
Wednesday afternoon we noticed railroad contractor trucks were on the job in the Cresmont area of the trail.
Part of ERTS in the lower section have been blocked with concrete barriers for several months. Those barriers made pulling or pushing stroller next to impossible. Ditto for horseback riding and horse pulled buggies. That ruined several miles of trail usage in the lower section.
Happily, we can report, the barriers have been removed and things are back to good.
OK, now for the trail update, South of Ivydale....
As you can tell from this shot, weeds are starting to creep over the top coat of the trail. Hikers and bikers generally carry small folding pull saws which can handle small limb removal but....
the big stuff, that's a different story. With the State taking over operation of ERTS in the first part of June, brush cutting and snag removal like above, it's in their hands. Reported during recent public meetings, the Big Suits are suppose to be hiring a full time Park Superintendent and 2 to 3 maintenance workers. So far we haven't see any of those hires on the job. One other thang on getting such snags removed. During fire season or whenever ambulances are needed on the trail, they can't make it under some of the falling trees.
We found a new Carin on this trip
When this middle section of ERTS opened last Spring, much of the construction tracks were everywhere. Now, all that is covered over with the freshly planted ground cover. Those sections are looking wonderful.
Along the way.....
So far, litter is not found on this
section of the path. On the ten miles we traveled on Wed., not a
single beer bottle or candy wrapper was seen.
Here's wet weather waterfall around the 54 mile marker. We noticed someone or someones have been busy brush cutting the holler. If it's a volunteer at work, that's wonderful. After even one night of rain, this place comes alive. This is also the place we found a bunch of bear tracks last Fall.
AW