photography | July 20, 2010 | things i saw

Image Title: River Trail
Location: Richmond, Vermont
Photographer: Michael McKennedy
Project: Things I Saw Photo Galleries – A 365 Project
Consecutive Day Count: 926

River Trail (click for larger view)

Description: Today after work I parked my car at the canoe launch parking area off of Cochran Road by the Winooski River in Richmond, Vermont so I could go for a mountain bike ride.

I went left on the trail and followed until it went up to Cochran Road and back down along the river then back up to the road again which put me in front of a cemetery. To the left of the cemetery is a trail. It goes, up, up and up some more via a series of switchbacks. ( If you like slow twisting up-hills then you will enjoy this.)  Eventually I came to Cochran’s ski area and sped down a utility road and ended up bushwacking back to Cochran Road. Then I popped back onto the River trail, followed it back past where I parked and road it out to the bridge at Jonesville – then back down Cochran to my car. It was a great ride! Lots of flowy, winding, fern-lined trails alone the river. Great riding route. You can see it here – http://www.mapmyride.com/route/detail/20168034/

Yesterday on my drive to work I realized that I did not have enough wood to complete Bridge #6 nor the Rock Ladder for the Stream Trails mountain biking trail system.  So I stopped at Recycle North’s Building Materials Center and they told me I could look through a gigantic pile of scraps and to “take what I need”. Needless to say, I did take what I needed. The wood is rustic and was probably taken from old Vermont barns but it will help keep the natural look of the Stream Trails and should hold up for years to come. Then it was a quick stop to the hardware store for some nails and I was on my way home.

Bridge #6

Bridge #6 was the first to be built. The dimensions of the bridge are approx. 15 feet long by 12 inches wides. It spans the stream and is about 3 feet away from the “big waterfall” (total drop – about 4 feet). Bridge #6 adds an additional connection to both sides of The Stream Trails.  If you happen to slip off or lose your balance it’s certain wet-foot!  But the water beneath the bridge is only a foot and a half to two feed down.  I suggest (as I always do) wearing a helmet.  It will be a real challenge riding climbing up and over the Rock Ladder from the west side of the trail system but it should be possible (for me).

Rock Ladder

The Rock Ladder is about 6 feet long and 15-18 inches wide. (I made this one a bit wider because of how it shoots you down off the rock into a narrow section. I figured that I would rather not be out of control coming down the ladder because the consequence will be smashing into one of the young evergreen occupants.) The Rock Ladder gives a rider the ability to get to Bridge #6 from the “Big Rock” side of the stream.  It also creates an alternative route to take instead of heading to Bridge #4 and up the “Impossible Incline”.

I must apologize for the poor quality of images but it was quite dark out by the time I had the two mountain biking structures completed! I am certain that new photos will be taken. I will probably have to create a new video of The Stream Trails as well but for now this is what I have.

Bridge #6 Construction Begins

Yesterday construction began on Bridge #6 at The Stream Trails. In addition to the bridge (allows for crossing the stream in front of the “big waterfall” creating yet another link in the Stream Trails system) there will also be a “ladder” built to create the ability to ride over the “big rock” and connect with the trail to Bridge #6. The ladder and ladder-style bridge will be constructed out of old futon wood and fallen trees from the immediate area.

Once completed his will become the longest bridge along the trails, total span looks to be about 10 feet.  Construction should be complete over the next couple of days.

This yet another enhancement to the ongoing construction of The Stream Trails.

The Stream Trails Bridge No. 5

A fifth bridge went into “The Stream Trails” (lacks an official name) Sunday, October 5, 2008 (yesterday).  This bridge gives the ability to circle around past the “A-Bridge” and offers a rider a few more options.

I also removed two downed trees from the section right before “Bridge 01″.  More speed, more speed….and then you come to a bridge (not the bridge in the image to the left).

I added some more wetland crossings to the “C-Turn”.  It’s tight and slow but a offers a challenge every time.  l Iaid some more sticks down on “Stream Decent”, I added a few other traction focused enhancements as well.  I carved a new trail leading to “The Rock” (this trail addresses the issue of turning left to enter the trail, which was washing out with the rain) and flattened out many of the bumps along the trail system in general.

At day’s end I had put about five hours (with interspersed riding sessions – hey, I had to test my work!) into the trails.  What an absolute treasure to have a somewhat technical trail system (a work in progress…) 50 yards from your front door!  It’s short but it’s getting sweet.

I wonder how long it would survive it had many more regular visitors.  What affect would that have on the entire stream ecosystem as a whole?

Note: all quoted names are non-official trail/section names.