By: Kathie Brennan
02/17/12 03:05:18 PM

Super Sundays aren’t always super considering conditions but not this day!!!

You know when the weather is cold, rainy and just plain yucky it is not the choice of many to be out but Kathie Brennan, event leader, knew that no matter what; she was going to be out on the trail with whoever else made the decision to “Just do it!” “So as I drove into the parking lot at Johnson Shut Ins State Park and saw ALL the vehicles it just made my day!” remarked Kathie. “It was even a better day because two of the adopters of the 3 sections we did maintenance on were with us for the day also.” Beginning at the Hwy N trail crossing, one crew headed north as the other crew headed towards the Black River and the shut ins. As the “river” crew started working towards the river, many of the volunteers were pretty taken back at the loss of forest due to the Derecho storm that occurred in May ’09. Discussion gave rise to the speculation that if in any of our lifetimes, would the forest return or would it be in our children/grandchildren’s lifetimes before anyone would see the forest as it was before the storm.

Covering 7 miles of the OT, volunteers worked on reestablishing the back slope of the trail in several areas, de-bermed the outer edges, cleaned out draining areas and put in a couple waters “bars” to impede the flow of water on a section of trail that was included in a fire-line and also lopped back vegetation. While the north group wasn’t treated to the cascading waterfalls that the south group encountered, views of the land were just as magnificent.

Topping off the day, volunteers “tailgated” on the steps of the outdoor area of the Black River Visitor Center refueling after a day SUPER day on the trail with time to make it home before the end of the game of the day!

By: Abi Jackson
01/31/12 02:52:01 PM

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew, on the road since 1997, is IMBA's grassroots educational program and an authority on sustainable trail building practices. Two teams of professional trail experts travel year-round throughout the United States and beyond, leading trail work sessions, meeting with land managers and working with IMBA-affiliated clubs and the communities they serve to improve mountain biking opportunities. The Trail Care Crew program has inspired great volunteer trail work across the U.S. and abroad - a big help to government agencies and land managers who have limited funding for trail construction and upkeep. As a direct result, there are now thousands of new and improved trails in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and several European countries.

Dates: Feb. 2-5, 2012

Hosted by: Ozark Greenways and MORC

Contact: Beth Weimer, MORC Secretary

Thursday, Feb. 2

Better Living Through Trails presentation, 4:00pm, in the upstairs room at the Springfield Brewing Company, 305 S. Market Ave.
Appetizers/beverages served at 5:30pmClub Care presentation to follow at 6:00pm

Saturday, Feb. 4

IMBA Trail Building School

Classroom 9 a.m. - noon @ Springfield Nature Center, 4601 S. Nature Center Way
Lunch provided
Trail work 1 p.m. - 4/5 p.m. at Busiek State Forest

* Please do not plan to attend the work session if you can't make it to the morning classroom. Wear pants, closed-toe shoes, a hat, gloves and bring water for the trail project.

By: Matt Atnip
01/30/12 11:20:30 AM

West of Ottery Creek, the trail is now open after a recent collapse. It will require some longer term work, but the trail is passable thanks to Wilmer "Scotty" Scott of the USFS.

By: Matt Atnip
01/26/12 08:48:33 AM

A steep hillside section has collapsed west of Ottery Creek on the Trace Creek section. The area is impassable for horses and bikes.  The Forest Service has been notified and this will be repaired as soon as possible. We are unable to make an estimate of a repair date at this point. Thanks to our friends at USFS!