TRAIL WORK SUMMARY FOR
2008/2009 SEASON
April 14th, 2008
Corridor 11 is a major connector between the Twin Mountain/Jefferson area and Berlin and points north. The section of Corridor 11 in the WMRR territory is 9.1 miles long and has 34 bridges. In addition, the club needs to add 3 new bridges to span streams that run year around. The trail runs around the perimeter of Black Crescent Mountain, which is the source for dozens of brooks that cross this trail (See Topo Map Below).
The original 34 bridges on the trail were built around 1990 from 2 x 8 pressure treated (PT) lumber. Since 2006, 5 of these bridges have been rebuilt, but the remaining bridges are all approaching their end of life. Most of the bridges utilize multiple PT planks bolted together to create carrying beams. Where the planks contact the ground, rot is prevalent. The decking is in very bad shape with many deck boards so spongy they can easily be punched through with a hammer. Each season, the club must install patches over broken decking to prevent sleds from falling through.
In 2006, the State of NH rebuilt the northernmost 30 bridge using steel carrying frames. In 2007, the club rebuilt 4 of the southernmost bridges on the trail. Three of these bridges were rebuilt with steel frames (26, 32, 35) and one was rebuilt using 6 x 6 PT beams (16).
For the 2008 season, the WMRR club is applying for funds to rebuild 14 bridges ranging in length from 12 to 35 feet. (Funds to rebuild the remaining 18 bridges on the trail will be applied for during the 2009 season.)
The trail was originally cut as a 12 wide trail in around 1990. Some additional excavator work to improve drainage was done in 1998. With over two-dozen year around brooks running across the trail, water is a continual problem. Over the years ditches have filled causing water to run down the trail instead of across it. In addition, many large trees along the trail had died leaving 100 foot tall standing dead wood over the trail.
During the 2006-2007 season, the club worked closely with the WMNF to identify dead trees and trees that could be removed to widen the trail and improve ditching. Over 500 trees were marked being careful to preserve the riding experience of riding through large old growth trees. When the riding season ended, a professional logger (a member of our club) along with several other club members then cut down these marked trees.
For the 2008 season, the WMRR club is applying for funds to remove the stumps of these cut trees, redo ditching, remove rocks and transport/set the steel for bridges to be rebuilt.
Topo Map of
Corridor 11 Bridge locations south of PT118 intersection.
Note the streams shown on the map that originate along the side of
Black Crescent Mountain
and flow across the trail. Red triangles denote current bridge locations.
Corridor 19 north of the WMRR clubhouse is a major connector between the Berlin/Milan area and Errol. This section of trail is 20.5 miles long and runs from the WMRR clubhouse to the Newell Brook Bridge in Dummer (near the junction of Corridor 28).
For the 2008 season, the WMRR club is applying for funds to address the following issues:
1) Reroute Cor. 19 around swampy area near the PT117 junction to Pontook trail. (see diagram below).
2) Eliminate S turn south of PT117 after crossing Dummer Pond Road.
3) Redo trail ditching on several sections of trail between PT117 and Rt. 110A.
4) Rebuild bridge near Rt. 110A which has flooded out several times and is in danger of collapse.
5) Build a new bridge over a wet area on the power line just north of junction with Ursulas trail.
Proposed reroute
for Cor. 19 would follow existing
Pontook trail (shown in blue) bypassing swamp near PT117 junction.
Corridor 19 north of the WMRR clubhouse normally runs along Head Pond Road. But for the past two years, logging has forced the club to utilize an alternate bypass trail that has several problems.
Since logging is anticipated for at least the next two winters, the WMRR club is applying for funds for the 2008 season to address the following chronic problems on this trail:
1) Build a new bridge to replace a temporary bridge that washes out in warm-ups or after heavy rain (bridge just washed out again on 4/8/08)
2) Redo ditching, remove rocks and stumps.
The trail to the top of Mt. Forest is one of the most popular trails in the Berlin system due to its outstanding views. Heavy logging during 2005 and 2006 caused severe damage to the access trail leaving washouts, large rocks and piles of debris essentially making the trail impassable.
During 2007, the club received permission to reroute the access trail to follow some of the newly created logging roads, thereby bypassing over 1.5 miles of damaged trail. This new route will save the club and the State many thousands of dollars in trail rebuilding costs.
For the 2008 season, the club is apply for funds to work on the remaining 1.4 miles of trail that bring riders to the top of Mt. Forest and back down. This section of trail needs excavator work to redo ditching, remove rocks and remove stumps left over from the logging operation.
The trail into the city of Berlin is becoming more heavily used every year. For many city residents, it is their only way to and from the trail system. For riders coming from Cor. 19, it provides direct access to 2 gas stations and 2 restaurants. When there is sufficient snow, riders can ride sidewalks across the city of Berlin and connect to Cor. 12 making it in effect a Primary Trail.
For the 2008 season, the club is applying for funds to work on 3 miles of this trail between Cor. 19 and the Berlin High School. This section of trail requires excavator work to redo ditching, remove rocks, and to fix failed culverts. The club also plans to cut dozens of small trees that are starting to grow over the trail using volunteer labor.