Monday, April 28, 2008

Trail conditions little changed after rains

We got out Sunday and cut a fallen tree off of Doc Smith Trail. Bothersome spot right after a tabletop rock going east or just before, killing momentum if you were going west toward Rattling Creek Trail.
Very little evidence of washing or even much running water from the previous storm and last evening and today's rains were spread over a long period with no real downpours so I would expect no change in trail conditions.
Trails should be in good shape save for a few trees down that we need to get to yet. One on Fawn Kill near the reroute is in the plans to get taken out next time we take the chainsaw for a walk !

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Trail Conditions

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/pa/nwis/uv?cb_00045=on&format=gif_default&period=1&site_no=01570500

Plenty of percipitation over nigth. The link above to the Harrisburg USGS percipitation gauge measured a little over an inch of rain between 7pm(Sat-26th) and midnight.

Trails will likely be wet with some running water in the usual places. Trails were in near perfect conditions before the rain, dry and fast with lots of leaf cover. With an inch or more of rain over just a few hours watch for washed areas and possible newly downed trees, although this storm didn't bring the really high winds that usually blow trees over.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Trail Conditions ??

FYI. We had some rain and wind here Sunday night. There was a tornado warning south of here and they got lots of rain in the southern portions of the state. The Harrisburg gauge registered about 1.25". Not sure exactly how much rain we got on the trails but enought to have had some effects on trail conditions. I would expect some washing and with the windy conditions expect soem new blowdowns.

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Trail Conditions

We got out and cleared downed trees off of Rugged Trail Saturday. I didn't relaize just how many sizable trees were down on that trail alone. Must have been over a dozen.



Trails are dry and in great shape !! Still lots of dead leaves covering the trail tread. With no significant rain for the area in sight trails should stay in great condition for riding.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Weekend Events and Trail Update

The RCST schedule has this weekend planned as a trailwork weekend, meeting at 9:00 am in the EAST PARKING LOT. Please don't be late -- we won't be there after 9:00. Initially, we hoped to get out and clear logs, but now that tomorrow is opening turkey hunting season for juniors until noon, we'll head to the Minnich Hit Picnic Area and take a look at the handicap trail started some time ago. If there are chain-saw experienced folks in the group yet after noon, possibly some logs can be cut later in the day or maybe Sunday. Keith will be the TRAIL SUPERVISOR both days since he can't pitch in and help with his recouperating wrists (carpal tunnel surgery). Rick and I will be there Saturday morning until about 1:00ish; but we will not be around on Sunday and none of us will be riding -- but you are certainly welcome to come ride. Trails are getting very dry.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Sunday's Ride - a Group of Raindrop Dodgers

5 die-hards fought off raindrops on Sunday morning to make the trek up Deep Hollow to make the spaceship siting official and on record. Well, that was Jill's stupid idea, the rest really wanted to just get a good ride in. Donna and Brett Weiser, Christina Bohensky, Don Pagano and the Spaceship Chaser bundled up, then decided to un-bundle by the time we got to the top of the mountain.
The chosen route made a right—hand turn toward the hang-glider launch to continue to the alien spaceship. Upon arrival, a praise was in order and a promise from the aliens of no anal probes; then the blessing of the ship and ground it sits on. The curious question of the day… “Does anyone know this is here?” There’s no fence, no “stay away” signs…just the ship in the middle of the field. And knowing the kids, and what they do up there… “dr…smo…f…” they are bound to find this too. (but we hope we are all wrong).



Onward we plodded… starting on Rock’s Ridge West, we hopped, bounced, and trudged through some rocks – Chrissy and Don leading the way and losing the rest of us rather quickly. B and J stopped for D, at which time D decided possibly the rocks were a bit too wet, and a bit too much today, so D and J opted for a more enduring ride, rather than a damaging ride (in more ways than one!). They continued across the top of the ridge doing a huge loop, passing the new NWTF Hunting Ramp off Lukes Trail, then down the mountain, and started back in Lykens road/Doc smith, then Lykens road to White oak and back home via IronMine. Don/Chrissy/Brettster enjoyed the remainder of Rock’s Ridge, Matter, Dry run, Rattling Creek, and I’m not sure what they did after that, but I know they ended up climbing White oak. There was some discussion and very hard looks and laughter at some point about “sucking Don…” but actually it was “sucking Dawn…" after cleaning the camelbak with Dawn detergent. But it didn’t quite come out right making it funny as hell – thanks for the chuckles Miss Chuckler, Chrissy! The 3-hour tour ended with some sunshine and temps of about 50. No blood, broken bones, nor broken bikes… some would say that wasn’t a good ride. But I believe we all felt it was a fine day in Weiser. And the odds are growing folks…it was a 60/40 ride –3 niners and 2 26’ers. And the future may hold a 80/20 ride with this same group. Niners ROCK.

Spring Gobbler Season Starting

Just wanted to let everyone know that there is a special Junior Season of Spring Gobbler Hunting starting Saturday April 19, 2008
The regular season is starting Saturday April 26th thru Monday May 26th
Please stay off singletrack until after noon Monday thru Saturday
during the wild turkey hunting season.
Thanks from RCST and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

NWTF Installs a New Addition to Weiser

The National Wild Turkey Federation (a supporter of RCST and makes donations because they too use the trails!), installed a nice ramp along Lukes Trail, near the Gamelands Gate. It appears to be for handicap accessible hunting. Very nice.



Picture of the Spaceship!


Finally! I got a picture of the Weather station on top of Broad mountain. The link at the top of this Blog takes you directly to the website that's reporting weather from this station.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Weekend of April 12 -13 Trail Conditions

Go Ride.. Things are a repeat of last weekend and the trails are good to go. Sorry we haven't gotten out to cut any more trees. The plan is to use the Earth Day Trail Work weekend (April 19) to cut more logs. Have fun! Jill