August 23 2020
Works continues
on the ERTS State Park tourist attraction. By Friday
afternoon Aug 21st, the work crew punched thru the last of
the brush and had the rails / ties removed on the Pisgah to
Hartland Bridge (3.3 miles) ready for a top coat of
limestone dust / sand.
Here's what we're talking about.
The Upper section of ERTS , Duck to Ivydale, has been open almost three months.
The Middle section (Ivydale to Hartland) is partially open. Near Dundon, the smoother top coat needs laid. That Ivydale to Dundon stretch is about 12 miles long. Also a part of the Middle section runs from Dundon to the Hartland bridge.
The Lower section goes from Hartland to Queen Shoals. Only the very beginnings of the clean out are underway in that stretch. That's also the section of ERTS where there's a bunch of rights of way encroachment with fences, trailers, outbuildings, plus, there's also a big issue with providing residents with proper access to their homes and camps. That's going to take a while
This update is on the last of the Middle section to be completed, the Pisgah neighborhood to the Hartland bridge. Here goes.
That 3.3 mile portion has all the brush, ties and rails removed. From Pisgah down to the Leatherwood bridge, about 2.4 miles, has the original black, railroad track ballast all fluffed up and ready for weekend use. That black stuff is plenty good enough for biking, hiking, and horses, BUT, when damp, it gets slushy real quick. If you're wearing white sneakers, they won't be white for long.
From the Leatherwood bridge down river, the heavy stone base coat is in place. Those bigger rocks make riding a bike tough. In short order that bike seat starts feeling like a sharp object driving it home in the goods.
We talked to one worker last week. That guy felt they would be putting the finishing touches on the 3.3 miles this coming week.
When completed, that should make about 28 miles of excellent riding and walking available to the public.
As a note, crews do not work on the weekends. IF you're trying out the Pisgah to Hartland part of the Middle section, might want to wait til Saturday and or Sunday.
Here's what we're talking about.
The Upper section of ERTS , Duck to Ivydale, has been open almost three months.
The Middle section (Ivydale to Hartland) is partially open. Near Dundon, the smoother top coat needs laid. That Ivydale to Dundon stretch is about 12 miles long. Also a part of the Middle section runs from Dundon to the Hartland bridge.
The Lower section goes from Hartland to Queen Shoals. Only the very beginnings of the clean out are underway in that stretch. That's also the section of ERTS where there's a bunch of rights of way encroachment with fences, trailers, outbuildings, plus, there's also a big issue with providing residents with proper access to their homes and camps. That's going to take a while
This update is on the last of the Middle section to be completed, the Pisgah neighborhood to the Hartland bridge. Here goes.
That 3.3 mile portion has all the brush, ties and rails removed. From Pisgah down to the Leatherwood bridge, about 2.4 miles, has the original black, railroad track ballast all fluffed up and ready for weekend use. That black stuff is plenty good enough for biking, hiking, and horses, BUT, when damp, it gets slushy real quick. If you're wearing white sneakers, they won't be white for long.
From the Leatherwood bridge down river, the heavy stone base coat is in place. Those bigger rocks make riding a bike tough. In short order that bike seat starts feeling like a sharp object driving it home in the goods.
We talked to one worker last week. That guy felt they would be putting the finishing touches on the 3.3 miles this coming week.
When completed, that should make about 28 miles of excellent riding and walking available to the public.
As a note, crews do not work on the weekends. IF you're trying out the Pisgah to Hartland part of the Middle section, might want to wait til Saturday and or Sunday.
Here's some of the already in place big stone base in place down river from the Leatherwood bridge. That's an old whistle alert sign on the right.
Along the way are various wet weather falls.
Across from that just mentioned falls, crews were thoughtful enough to widen the access and put in place some large boulders to sit on, to take a break and enjoy the place.
Here's the Leatherwood bridge. For those wanting to camp out on the Middle section of ERTS, just up river from the span are two long time in use camping spots right at river's edge. Those spots are not trashed out and have fire circles in place and some rustic seating.
We told you about the fluffed up railroad ballast from Woofterville to Leatherwood. Here's a pic of the stuff. Actually, at least during dry conditions, it's a smooth riding surface. On Sunday August 23rd, bikers, at least a dozen or more, were enjoying this section of ERTS along with a couple hikers. ERTS is coming along readers and for the most part, ready to enjoy seven days a week.
AW