drainage crossings in place at Stub...

Submitted Fri, 07/10/2009 - 11:47am by Joe Rykowski

The drainage crossings in upper part of mountain biking zone were put in place by contractor hired by the Park.   
One step closer to opening area, but it's not yet open.

I'll be heading out there this afternoon to take some photos (have the day off), and will post follow-up later tonight.

Current status on overall mountain biking area trail system within Stub Stewart State Park : Westside Trail Federation
won't be hosting further build days on plain XC single-track (the "phase 1" 1.5 miles of trail built so far will be used by riders accessing the skill area and pushing up to top of skill hill)...   If additional single-track will be built, then it'll done under NW Trail Alliance organized trail build days - there's additional couple of miles
of trail along the canyon for "phase 2".   
Will be discussing further with Joe Barcott who is serving as interim NWTA volunteer trail projects director (last month I'd submitted a draft proposal to the NWTA board for consideration - to be filed with Oregon Parks & Recreation under their new draft Policy Statement for engaging proponent volunteer resources for building new facilities for mountain biking).

 

On the W.T.F. proposal, OPRD has rescheduled internal meeting to review/decide from yesterday to first week of August.  

‹ W.T.F. proposal to OPRD for technical skill trails at Stub Mt St Helens area Work Parties ›

So ended up doing a ride

by Joe Rykowski - 2009-07-10 17:14

So ended up doing a ride today from Hilltop Day Use area down
Horseshoe up Hares Canyon and over into the mountain biking only zone
to ride the XC loop (and back on the corridor). ...so that I could check out the new drainage crossings the park had built on the corridor.

Would be a really enjoyable ride for beginners and families to do!  
Or, an interesting night ride for anyone (see below for info about doing night rides in a State Park).

Here's the route:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/kml/episode.kml?episodePkValues=8606439

Distance was 3.26 miles

Elevation Gain (ft) +664 / -613

Detailed ride profile

Overview of Relevant Data

Start Elevation (ft): 1,152

Finish Elevation (ft): 1,202

Min. Elevation (ft): 1,103

Max. Elevation (ft): 1,331
 

While I was at the park, spoke with Steve Kruger, the park trail manager.

He apologized again for the delay of meeting from yesterday to August.
I get the feeling its for the better anyway - there's really awesome
support from all the right people, and everyone with the agency is
going to have chance to give input. That makes our proposal that much
stronger when they give the "Go" (and then Parks runs it past
Washington county).

Think they just want to get this 100% right the first time so we
don't stumble coming out of the gate, know what I mean? This is an
important decision - mountain biking only area (with "freeride" area within that) in an Oregon State Park and all.

Also got answer about doing night rides ... The Day Use areas are
closed at dusk. If you are camping, then no worries - night ride all ya
want (maybe go snipe hunting too...). Organizations can host special
events (such as night rides) with special permit from park manager...
if Pedal Nation or NW Trail Alliance (for example) wanted to host a few
night rides this Fall/Winter, then it's a minor deal - just get
permission first is all.

Oh yeah, the drainage construction.. that's why I went to
Stub today (wasn't just to have fun riding...). Park getting that done
is a big step towards having things wrapped up to be able to open the
mountain biking only section of park.

Here's panoramic view of the 1st drainage crossing as viewed from the single-track:

View of 1st drainage looking back after crossing...

"BEFORE" construction... taken May 3rd, 2009:

"AFTER" construction... taken July 10th, 2009:

I'm not gonna lie, it was an enjoyable leisurely beginner level
ride from Hilltop Day Use area over to the Mountain Biking Area to
check out the new drainage crossing construction (that's why I went
there)! It's going to get more fun as new trails are added in the
mountain biking area (especially the "Freeride" stuff when that happens
later)...

Hilltop Day Use area

There's 15 miles of shared-use trails and paths already built in the greater part of Stub...

Even though there's no lake, river, waterfall, or other interesting
geological type feature in Stub park... There's plenty to see and enjoy
if you stop to look...

If you'd like more regular updates about trail construction of mountain biking zone at Stub...1. Login to http://westsidetrailfederation.org/
2. Click My Account > Subscribe to Newsletter (it comes via email
when there's updated info), 3. Enable the L.L. Stub Stewart State Park
trail building newsletter (you'll have to confirm your subscription via
email).

On Facebook? Join the Cause to build more single-track trails in Stub! http://apps.facebook.com/causes/278324/45400017?m=1a240be5

 

Realized I'd forgotten to

by Joe Rykowski - 2009-07-11 15:43

Realized I'd forgotten to put in shots of the 2nd drainage crossing!

The grade is much better - they pulled down part of slope to fill in, so it makes the climb up to next section of single-track better.   When Park trail manager comes thru with their dozer to grade the corridor, he'll probably shallow out the far side as well so it'll be even easier ...   (the corridor is for beginners - or people heading up to session the skill area, and the single-track is for beginner to intermediate riders).

View of 2nd drainage crossing..

Looking back at 2nd drainage crossing (before entering next section of single-track)...