CRAMBA: Pontiac Lake

[jpjones]

Silly me, I thought I could actually read about current trail conditions on this forum.

[Critter7r]

you can, just apparently not in this thread!

[irishpitbull]

I was out there today. Very very dry and loose, tons of fun.

[str8flush24]

Back on topic....trail was fast today. Great conditions, some small deadfall from all the wind but nothing major. Things are really starting to get overgrown though. We should arrange for another trail day soon with the focus on trimming all that back.

[KLydesdale]

Silly me, I thought I could actually read about current trail conditions on this forum.

Yet your post does not contain any... go figure.

[turbotoad]

Heven't ridden Pontiac Lake in years (avoided for 9 actually, it's a long story....), but went out there today. It sure looked different! Certain portions I could remember but a lot of it has changed so much. Anyway the trail was is great shape. However there is a tree down at 3.25 miles in that requires dismounting. Also a few nasty face smackers in just the wrong spots, causing a momentary distraction right before a mid-turn rock/root or other sketchy section. Made it interesting though

[Alexg]

A buddy and I rode there yesterday too. It was pretty fast and dry but we got some good video. I remember the old PLRA with options.

I rode there Wednesday and one of the bushes drew some serious blood. I looked like I got scratched by a cat.

[compacted_graphite]

Trail conditions for Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Monday June 25: A tree that was down yesterday has been adjusted and is no longer blocking the trail. The mountain bike trail is loose, rocky, and dusty - its mid-summer normal condition. We did not get any rain here over the weekend, so there is no moisture in any of the low spots on the trail. The trail is bushy and overgrown. Skeeters are out but not an issue on breezy days.

[compacted_graphite]

There will be a somewhat spontaneous and impromptu trail trimming day at the mountain bike trails at Pontiac Lake Lake State Recreation Area.

Date: Saturday June 30, 2012

Time: 9 AM sharp.

Location: meet at the trail head by the beach

We will be trimming the brush. Please bring trimmers and loppers, maybe a few small bow or fold up saws. I will not be bringing the MMBA/CRAMBA trailer, so we will need to use our own tools. The poison ivy and mosquitos are both fully active this summer. Participants will need long sleeve shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes, hat and eye protection, and water and snacks, maybe even sunscreen and bug dope. We will break up into small parties and trim/lop branches and bushes. We hope to have enough people that we can cover the whole trail in three hours.

Thanks

Dave Boboltz

Trail Coordinator, Clinton River Area Mountain Biking Association

dave.boboltz@comcast.net

[Alexg]

Here's a video I made of riding on Sunday. The face slappers were better than they were on Thursday. One drew blood on my left arm and my wife swore I was attacked by a cougar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx71QDTbaqs

[MediumRB]

Did some minor trimming as we rode today (whenever a chain popped off, the clippers came out). Plenty of poison ivy out there.
The trail is firm, fast, dusty, and fun.

[MGBURKE]

I rode Pontiac Lake last Thursday after the rain. There was a down tree just before the giant hill at the two mile mark (I think that is where it was, my memory has failed me before...), and lots of low hanging branches (possibly partially due to the rain). I finished the trail with leaves stuck in my handle bars and helmet! Definitely could use some trimming...but still a fun ride. It was the first time I had gone out there in a couple years. Even though it was wet and rainy, the trail was still fast and had little standing water. A trail day could definitely help out. I have a pull behind cart for my kids I could fill with tools if I am free for what ever weekend it is scheduled....

[utabintarbo]

MGBURKE: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=111421

[Critter7r]

Everyone is mentioning poison ivy, but is it really much of a problem if you stay on the trail? Its not going to jump out and tackle me, is it? If it is, I'll ride Highland tomorrow instead since I'll be down that way visiting family.

[b_b]

Yeah just stay on the trail and you'll be fine. Rode Monday and flatted. Did the repair in the woods with no issues.