Wanderers Pitched In With Trail Maintenance Effort

On January 22, six Wanderers joined 40 other volunteers from the Philadelphia Mountain Bike Association (“PMBA”) and the Friends of the Wissahickon (“FOW”) and other organizations in a cleanup and trail maintenance day in the Wissahickon.

Despite dire warnings of frozen ground conditions and cold weather, Wanderers Polly Jansen, Chris Verry, Jeff Hayes, Jim Trainor, Phil Ranly, and Jan Deruiter showed up on time and ready to work. For several hours, the Wanderers split up into groups and chipped away at the frozen ground with pick axes, hauled and stacked rocks, picked up trash, cut down invasive vines and species, and otherwise helped out.

The day was organized and sponsored by the PMBA and FOW groups who supplied the tools, managed the trail work and lined up the sponsors to supply coffee, snacks and beverages. But the Wanderers did not show up empty handed. Bin Ruiter cooked up a batch of his signature pulled pork sandwiches and brought a lasagna. Unfortunately we underestimated the turnout and ultimately ran out of food but it was welcomed nonetheless especially by those who returned to work after lunch.

The Wanderers helped put in what are called “Rolling Grade Dips” and “chokes” which essentially amount to removing dirt where we wanted to drain the water off the trail and then placed some obstacles to slow people down a bit and put them where we want them. In order to keep the drains working better over time, “Water Bars” were added which consist of partially buried rocks angled across the trail to help divert the water off the trail.

Normally this process would have been fairly straightforward and not overly taxing but with the ground frozen solid, it became a challenge indeed. We chipped, picked, whacked, and dug at the frozen ground until we got deep enough to break out the shovels. From time to time, it was hard to tell whether we were hitting rocks or just frozen ground. But in the end, it all broke up and came out just the same.

A little further up the trail, the trail crew help collect rocks that were staged on the side of the trail. They will be used at a future date for an ongoing trail reroute project there.

As expected, the day was a little bit more chaotic and straining than it would have been without the frozen ground conditions. But we all managed to have fun anyway and got a lot of work done. Another section of trails (the yellow trail between Green Lane and Gorgas) that will likely be relatively stable and maintenance-free for a few years.

We welcome all Wanderers to help out during these trail maintenance days, especially when it gets warmer. Depending on your interest, schedule, and availability, there are many different types of group events to join on their respective trail days. The bikers and the FOW are an inspirational group of dedicated volunteers that know a lot about the technical aspects of building sustainable trails and try hard to ensure that all volunteers enjoy the process. They normally have their own days on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month but during the winter months, some of these events are combined. Please keep an eye on our home page for those events we intend to attend as a group.

For additional information, email us at trails@wanderersrunningclub.org

ALL EVENT PHOTOS BELOW WERE TAKEN BY JON PEARCE FROM PMBA:

(additional pictures by Jon Pearce are here »)

Volunteers listen to the work overview before getting started.

Jim listens intently with Jeff in the back (blue hat) and Chris (green Eagles hat)

Jan and Jeff chip away at the frozen ground.

Chris and Polly receive a primer from Paul.

The Wanderer banner flew high near the lunch table.

Even with the "SK" (500), the frozen ground proved challenging.

Jan, Chris and Jeff dig a trench to plant rocks for a water bar.

Jim does the same with Dmtri and another biker a little ways up the trail.

Volunteers cut various invasive species in the park.

Kevin, FOW volunteer coordinator, digs for trash.

As did these two FOW volunteers.

Rocks were carried up by wheel barrow.

This bridge was re-decked and supplied with an arm rest during previous TM days.

Rocks were pried loose and then handed up the river bed in a fire line setup.

Rocks, rock and more rocks staged and to be used for a future project.

The old fall-line trail was closed.

Rob and Wanderer Phil Ranly removed an obstacle form the trail.

What normally would have taken a minute or two became
a major accomplishment due to frozen ground conditions.

Overview of volunteers at work.

The new trail clearly shows with the old unsustainable
trail closed off and covered by leaves and branches.

This stretch of the old trail was closed also.

Time for lunch.

Polly and Jeff line up and serve themselves.

Jim is trying to figure out a smooth way to cut in line.

Jan talks with other volunteers over lunch.

(additional pictures by Jon Pearce are here »)

Links to past trail maintenance reports:

(review our Wissahickon page to learn about Wanderers volunteering efforts and information)

• 2008 March
• 2008 February (cancelled due to snow)
• 2008 January
• 2007 December
• 2007 May
• 2007 January
• 2005 September

Additional reports are posted on the PMBA and FOW web sites.

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It's daylight savings, and the weekly TRACK WORKOUTS are returning to Chestnut Hill Academy's track. The workouts start at 6:30 pm every Tuesday. The switchover to CHA from the Roxborough track begins Tuesday, March 18. The address is 500 West Willow Grove Avenue in Chestnut Hill.