I would like to thank everyone that purchased a trail permit and joined one of our associated clubs as without your support we wouldn't been able to develope 47 miles of offroad trails.
Lewis County Recreational Trails Coordinator
&
Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association
2009 End of Year Report
As the riding season comes to a close, the Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association and Robert Diehl, Lewis County Recreational Trails Coordinator, are working on securing additional private property for the development of additional miles of ATV trails. Currently we have signed on 52 Private landowners and we are working on more through the winter. The more landowners we have, the more trails we have, the more trails we have, the more connectivity we create, the more connectivity we create, the more riding we can do, the more riding we can do, the better the system will be, you get the picture, private landowners are the key to the system.
As in past years the first task that we had to complete was the renewal of our insurance for our landowners, which went well as we renewed with the same insurance company. All of the clubs did see an increase in their portion of the insurance policy as our Trail Program has expanded. NYSORVA is in the process of reviewing our current policy as well as additional policies to ensure we have the best coverage available.
With the snow starting to melt in the Lyonsdale area we decided to start work on building new trails on the County reforestation lots. Our first project was the reforestation area located at the intersection of Moose River road and North South Road in the Town of Lyonsdale. Several years ago logging was accomplished in this area and logging lanes had been cut but had grown over. One of the time savers with creating trails out of logging lanes is that we didn’t encounter any large diameter trees that would have to be removed. To make the trails safe and enjoyable to ride, we had to remove the hundreds of stumps left behind by the loggers, and after several days of pulling stumps I would say our work crew are experts in removal of stumps. With the completion of our first two reforestation lots we have added over 17 miles of off road trails.
As the days got longer it was time to move up to the reforestation lots located between the Fowler and Abby Road. ATV riders had ridden this area in the past and what we had to work with were trails that didn’t interconnect. After the Lewis County Coordinator laid out connecting trails, in the best possible locations, and the on site environmental evaluation and review of these trails had been completed, and the Lewis County Legislators approved the work, the trail crew set out with trimmers and chain saws removing low hanging limbs to open the trails for safe riding. Once the light work was completed it was time to turn loose the Bob Cat Excavator crew to remove the stumps and clear down trees. After many workdays, an additional 12 miles of off road trail had been added to the trail program.
Mid summer it was time to move the trail crew up to the Cronk Road reforestation lot located just outside of Barnes Corners. Just over 3 miles of trail was developed in this area using some existing logging lanes and the development of some connecting trails. Work to be completed in this area was some removal of low hanging limbs, removing a rust bucket 1970’s era bull dozer that was left behind in the middle of the trail, and the building of three bridges. The Excavator that was purchased with a grant from Yamaha was brought in to place the stringers to place for the construction of the bridges. With the stringers in place three bridges had been built to keep the riders from making any wet crossings, and keeping environmentally sensitive, areas safe from the damage from tires, while enjoying a ride through the reforestation lot.
It was time to split the trail crew and head back to the Brantingham area and start work on the reforestation lot on the Middle road. As in the other reforestation lots this one had been logged several years ago and skid trails would once again make ideal trails with minor work for the trimming crew. This will be one of the first areas for the excavator crew to hit in the spring 2010 to remove the stumps. This section has added an additional 4 miles of off road trail had been added to the trail program.
Early fall the word was received that we would be allowed to utilize the private trail across from Morgan Gulf Road over to Houseville road. This would be part of the Tug Hill to Brantingham connection. After the site and environmental review was completed, it was determined that to protect the wetland areas, we would have to construct several fences and erect a 40-foot bridge across a stream. The first 750-foot fence was put in place with the help of our Compact John Deer Tractor (purchased with another Yamaha grant), digging the holes to install the fence posts. The second part of the project was to bring a fifty-foot trailer frame on site and install the frame across the creek, which is easier said than done. With the frame in place and the axels and tires removed it was time to shore up the frame. With the proper environmental permits to allow work in and around a classified trout stream in place, two steel supports were installed, and additional stone was brought in for the bridge approaches. The following week lumber decking was installed and our longest bridge to date was constructed. Winter has started to set in so the remaining fence and fill will have to wait until spring to be completed.
With snow in the air we moved the excavator up to the reforestation lots located on the McDonald Road in the Town of Montague. The stringers for a 25 and 35 foot have been put in place for the construction of a couple of elevated trails to avoid wet and muddy areas, and to keep the natural beauty, and biologic systems un damaged. Decking has been purchased but due to the changing weather we will wait until spring to complete the decking.
A great effort was made by many of the club members to help with trail work this year, and as we progress, and get more members, we hope to be able to have more volunteers work and enjoy days on the trails. With the additional trails developed this season has brought our total to just over 47 miles of woodland trails.
With the riding season coming to an end it’s my pleasure to announce that the Tug Hill Adirondack ATV Association exceeded 2,000 members and the Lewis County Trail Permit program also sold over 2,000 permits. With out the permit program, the county and the association would not been able to complete all of the projects this season.
For any questions, issues or comments please contact us through our website
www.tughilladirondacksatvassociation.comTHANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
Robert Diehl
Lewis County Trail Coordinator
Joseph Onyon
Vice President, Tug Hill Wheelers
Lewis County Volunteer Trail Crew Members
