Monday, February 25, 2008

Millstone Trail Gate at Skyline Drive to be Unlocked!

After some routing around in the "machine" we have managed to solve the mystery of the recently locked gate on the Millstone Trail.

It is to be unlocked shortly resuming trail access along the easternmost edge of the site!

The trail is reopening.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

What's Up for 2008

It will be tough to top the accomplisments of 2007. Last year the entire EST trail system was restored and upgraded with the formal addition of the Ghost & Millstone Trails. The EST was sponsored for National Trails Day last June and with a very successful turnout. And finally in November access at Trinity Avenue finally became reality. So then what is on the agenda for 2008? One goal is to commit the entire system to stewardship - it's half way there now. Without question the ultimate goal is to push the trail forward to it's terminus at Lake Q but that will require the gracious permission of private property owners. Don't get too eager to push onward over new trail yet (patience is a virtue) but it is at the top of the "To Do" list. Minor improvements to areas in need along the trails will continue. Guided evening hikes during the summer months which were done in years past may very well be repeated on some intermittent basis. Possibly add another loop (it exists mostly but is unblazed) down the steep slope (the "cliff") & coniferous woods behind Worc. State Hospital in the area of Conservation Restriction

Monday, February 11, 2008

Trinity Ave Spur

For those who may be unaware - the Trinity Avenue spur is now open. Volunteeer efforts helped establish this link over the '07 Thanksgiving weekend. This provides critical access to to N'ly end of the East Side Trail system. Please stay next to the golf course fence when entering / exiting the trail system at this location.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Ever get to wondering ...

Ever get to wondering when that darn old East Side Trail is going to finally make it all the way to the lake? Just curious.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Trail Stewards


A trail stewardship effort is getting underway for the East Side Trail system. Currently almost 50% of the 5 miles of blazed trails shown on the image at left (thumbnail only) are committed to stewardship. We are working on making a PDF file of the Stewardship map available for anyone interested in becoming a Trail Steward. The trail system has been broken into manageable segments of varying length. For the overly ambitious, please feel free to take on as many segments as desired. As we continue to develop this program additional information will be posted.

Documenting EST system flood prone locations

This last weekend the Father of the Trail (Gene T.) and myself explored the EST trail system to document and measure locations that are prone to flooding. We found three (3) such locations as denoted by the following GPS coordinates and associated photographs:

Location 1: Millstone Brook Trail near "the knob"

N 42 degrees 16.683 minutes

W 71 degrees 46.519 minutes

length of flooded trail: 50 feet














Location 2: Ghost/Millstone Trail near the water tower

N 42 degrees 16.806 minutes

W 71 degrees 46.487 minutes

length of flooded trail : 60 feet






















Location 3: East Side Trail near golf course

N 42 degrees 16.860 minutes

W 71 degrees 46.443 minutes

length of flooded trail: 55 feet













We wanted to document the flood prone locations at this time as there have been recent rains and a bit of a thaw in the February weather. When conditions are warmer and drier certain trail improvements (e.g. bridge, boardwalk, etc.) can be made to make the trail more navitagable.


If anyone reading this blog has ideas on the design or appropriateness of such improvements please feel free to submit your comments.

Regards

Trailblazer on a mission

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Quarry View

The view from the high point (760'±) on the East Side Trail (OK technically it's the Ghost/Millstone Trail) at the quarry (pictured above at top of page) next to the twin water tanks is being improved. Several small sapling trees that threatened to obscure the view have been removed. Additional minor improvements at this vista will be done in time for the spring hiking season. Fellow hikers - Do you want to see the quarry vista opened up further and expose more of the summit?