New Shutes Branch Video

Charlie and I did some videoing just before Christmas. The video was shot in HD and converted to SD (420p). It's a first attempt with the camera. The main footage is in the first section of the trail. We ran out of time for the rocky areas. This video will be lengthened with footage from the rest of the trail. The last shot was by E Fish and was from last summer.

Steve

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD6Ze2nPQQo

Trail Day Success!

We had a great turnout with a total of 16 people cutting new trail and cleaning up some slightly older sections. We cleared about 1000 ft for a little under 1/2 mile for the year. There is more to cut - just follow the flags. Thanks to Boy Scouts from Troop 150 and the regulars - plus 4 new volunteers!

Plus more pics at:

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i118/TNcaveman/Shutes%20Jan%202010/?action=view&current=76c8a975.pbw/



Thanks Guys!!!

Steve & Tommy (Plus COE Rangers Cline and Tingle)

Trail Work Day - Jan 23 (Sat)

We're planning a trail work day for Saturday January 23, 2010 - we'll meet up and get started around 9 am at the bathhouse in the back area of the old campground. The gate will be open, so drive on back. We'll be cutting new trail that has been marked by Tommy. A couple of guys (mostly Jeff Witte!) have started cutting in one section. We need to get the sections completed so we can ride the new stuff when done. I'd like to get enough people out to connect with the section Jeff did with the current trail. I'm hoping for SORBA tools plus some COE Weed Wrenches. I'm also hoping for some new faces! I hope we can do several trail days before it becomes maintenance time this spring.

Also, Tommy will be hitting the trail this weekend for some initial cutting. Contact him if you can help - I'm not sure when - here is his E-mail Edwinhatcher1@bellsouth.net

Since we're close to Little Cesars (and they are cheap!), we'll send someone out for some pizza around lunch time. We'll cut trail until worn out (probably around lunch time).

Shutes Update

It's been a while since any action happened out at the trail. The trails is currently in about the best shape yet. The first and second sections are clear of face slappers. We have one tree chunk to remove around mile 1 in the area beside the sand filled sinkhole.

Good news - we're being recognized as a real trail!!! We're in a new trail book called "Off Road Trails". It's part of the Mini Adventures Series. Shutes is one of 31 trails that they described and mapped this summer. It even has a tiny photo of our own Jeff Witte riding the trail. Here is a link to the book: www.miniadventureseries.com this is a high quality publication with well made maps, trails descriptions, and photos. I bought a copy at Bikers Choice in Hendersonville (tell them Caveman sent ya).

The trail expansion has begun, although slowly. The trail corridor has been flagged and people have been trimming the new line. We need to schedule a trail day, but everyone is so busy. But, we don't need a trail day to make trail - everyday is trail day if you want new trail. Just go out and trim, rake, whack, and drag to clear the path.

Have fun, ride hard, be safe, and clear some trail!

Steve