Poto: Rolling Hills Park

[michael48197]

To "pDubs":

Glad to hear your positive feedback on the trail. The washboard bumps in the final section are on the list of 'fixes', but not the top priority.

Let me know to which log pile you are are refering. I assume you mean the one near the rear gate on Bemis Rd. at ~2.0 miles. Yeah, the angle is a bit awkward, but I think the slope of the pile (~12" high), at least on a mtn. bike, is OK. With the large tree across the path and a tree on the left a short way before the sharp right turn, it would have taken A LOT of work to change the entry angle to the log pile. We intend to build a larger log pile across the fallen tree, but need to have RHP staff transfer some logs back to that area and also to get out there with a larger bladed chain saw to cut up some logs for the pile. The larger pile (maybe 20" high) when completed will have an easier entry angle, but we will have to work on the exit side.

As for a BMX or pump track, there are plans to build a MTB 'skills park' in the expansion later this year to the north/NW in the old gravel pit area. Plans are in the works with Washtenaw County Parks. Send me your contact info and I'll add you to my RHP E-mail list. We'll be happy to have your input for the skills park and your labor to help build it.

PLEASE NO FREE LANCING at RHP or, for that matter, at Hewens Creek where some free-lancing has already been done (albeit not bad work). BMXers, free riders and cycle crossers are welcome on the trail, but all work should be monitored and approved by the trail coordinator (myself at RHP and Bob Hollen at Hewens Creek)...liability, sustainability and park relationship issues.

Keep the feedback coming.

Michael Connolly
RHP Trail Coordinator

[pDubs]

I want to second Michael's sentiment about working on trails without consulting the coordinators, and encourage all the builders to come out on official trail days. The trail coordinators are open to new ideas, and are very friendly, no point in ignoring them!

[Steve_Balogh]

.....

One of the smaller logpiles, located right after a sharp turn, seems to be on a pretty hard angle to the trail flow.
Just wondering if that was intent of the feature, not really complaining, but I bit it trying to hit it straight on twice.

.......

Would that be this logpile?

[coleholley]

The pump track and skills park seems like a great idea, especially for us BMX'ers. haha. I would be willing to help as much as I can but Im still in school and playing baseball so I dont know how much I could get out and help but my email is coleholley@yahoo.com if you wanted to let me know when you guys are in need for some help and what the ideas are.

[pDubs]

Besides the large log pile right before the gravel road to the last section, there are only two others that I can think of. I think it's the other one. Probably not an issue, though.

[esdubya]

Awesome to see this new trail. I have been playing disc golf at RHP for about 12 years. Now I can bring my bike along and get both activities in

I will also be out at the park in the next few weeks to help redesign/add holes to the disc golf course and I understand that some people from the MTB community will be there as well. I'm working with RHP super. Steve W. to schedule a day during the week of April 19.

To me it seems that disc golf and mountain biking can exist in a harmonious manner. Has anyone had any problems or issues from disc golfers while riding? Can you identify anything to keep in mind when designing new golf holes that must peacefully coexist with trails? I can't think of anything but it doesn't hurt to ask the question. I also am involved with the new disc golf course at Independence Lake, and it is my understanding they are looking at adding mountain biking as an activity. I know the staff there pretty well so I can setup introductions if needed.

Thanks!
Avid mountain biker and pro disc golfer Scott White

[michael48197]

Scott,

The MMBA wants to cooperate with other user groups at RHP (and Independence Lake) with the aim to make the parks best for both worlds. I'll be at that meeting with Steve Wyatt.

As for golfer and bikers co-existing, I haven't heard about any major issues. Some minor ones have been reported to me including: tearing down 1 or 2 MTB trail signs, placing sticks across the MTB trail, making snide comments to riders. Someone mentioned a golfer throwing a disc at them, but that wasn't confirmed. As for the MTB side, some rider accidentally strayed onto a hole or two initially. However, now that the trail bed is obvious that shouldn't happen any more.

Let's correspond off line to discuss planning and cooperation.

Michael Connolly
RHP Trail Coordinator
mconnolly62@yahoo.com

[lavaspill]

Motion X Map

[michael48197]

Thanks for posting the Motion X map.

With the help of Tyler Erickson, I was able to get a good trace of the trail this past weekend on my GPS handheld unit which I posted to MapMyRide in GPX format (http://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/mi/yp ... 7784653748). Not sure why it seemed to save the file in 'out and back' mode and shows a total ride length of 5.4 miles. First time I tried posting a ride to MapMyRide. If anyone can suggest a fix, let me know. I also was going to post the GPX data to OpenStreetMap, but it looks like someone already posted the trail there (http://www.openstreetmap.org/?lat=42.17 ... ayers=null). If you know what you are doing, you should be able to download the GPX file from either site. However, that's not me since I'm just muddling through.

Tyler also recorded a trail track with a high accuracy surveyor-type GPS unit. We'll get the track translated and send it to RHP staff who'll, hopefully, be able to create a detailed park map for the trail head and for the Trail Guide. I'll let you know when that's done. In the meantime, see the GPS trace on a Google Earth photo below.

[michael48197]

Worked a bit this weekend on the downhill section after the climb back up the bluff at ~1.7 miles. This area was particularly off-camber and was extremely greasy when wet. I also observed several relatively experienced riders having a hard time negotiating the hairpin bend and lots of skid marks of riders trying to make the turn. So, I bench cut the traverse to the right and the exit of the hairpin turn. I hope these modifications make it easier, although not easy, to negotiate this section. Let me know what you think about the changes.

[esdubya]

Rode the trail Sunday for the first time after disc golf league.

I was very pleased with the design of the trail and I think once it gets ridden a bit more and smoothed out it will be one of my favorites. Good use of elevation, short but sweet and not easy. Kind of reminds me of Addison Oaks. GREAT JOB! and THANK YOU!

[michael48197]

Been a busy few weeks for me. Finally had a chance to do a full walk through at RHP this past weekend for the first time in three weeks. Spent a few hours with my 8-year old step-daughter trimming face slappers, clearing some winter debris from the trail and removing a small tree on the steep climb before the pond bluff at ~1.5 miles. We also fixed up a few signs and added a direction arrow inside the crater for those riders thinking the trail was supposed to exit straight up one of the crater walls. There were some small areas with surface mud, but overall the trail was in great shape.

Unfortunately, I'm still working on the map. I've got a good GPS and aerial photo as noted in an earlier post. Still trying to get some feedback from RHP staff and Washtenaw County Parks to produce an 'official' map. In the interim, I hope to place some annotated aerial photos with the GPS trace at the trailhead kiosk by next weekend. Also, working with the MMBA Webmaster to put RHP on the Trail Guide. I've submitted info to him and am now waiting for it to be posted.

Keep the feedback coming. Let me know about any areas of concern that need modifications.

[djansen00]

I haven't ridden RH yet but I'm trying to coordinate a ride with my buddies for Saturday. I noticed there's no link in the Trails section yet....or I'm completely dense and missing it. Is that because it's not "official" yet? Is there a good summary of where to go and where to park that I can pass along? I skimmed the other pages on this thread but didn't see anything obvious.

Thanks!

[bucky katt]

While I like the trail overall, I guess I'd have to say I'm one of those who find it a bit overly twisty and turny at times. I know you're dealing with limited space, but parts of the trail feel like running on a 1/20th mile indoor track - lots of riding without getting anywhere. That being said, I'm still thrilled to have a new trail close to my house and will be riding it more once this soggy weather departs.

Question: Does the park plan on keeping the pedestrian gate along Bemis Rd. chained? It would be a convenient access point for some of us who like to ride to the park, rather than continuing around to the main entrance on Stony Creek.

Also, there should be a directional sign toward the end of the ride where the trail crosses the asphalt path and heads down the green x-c ski trail. The first time I rode it, I lost the trail and ended up following the asphalt path around the swamp and back to the parking lot.

[michael48197]

To "djansen00":
I'm working with the MMBA Webmaster to get RHP posted in the Trail Guide. Not done yet. Hopefully soon, but it's in the Webmaster's hands now. Once done, the information you seek will be posted there. In the interim, if you scroll through some of this thread, you'll find various photos and maps of the trail. On the first page, there is a map of RHP and a description of its location. As for parking, enter RHP, drive ~1/4 mile and park on the right in the small, central parking lot (only ~50 yds x 100 yds. square). The trailhead is across the road by the large tree. The trail is tight and winding, making the rider focus on the terrain and the occasion obstacle. It's a bike handling course, not built for speed.

To "bucky katt":
Not much we can do about the terrain. The trail uses the ungulating terrain to it's maximum. The park and MTB trail are slatted to expand to the north and west late this year or next year where the terrain is flatter and riding speed will increase. As for the rear gate of RHP, it's usually open during park hours ('til dusk) in the 'swim season' between Memorial and Labor Days. I know the transition to the last section on the grass lane is a bit confusing. There actually is a small direction sign at the top of the rise after the large log pile. Unfortunately, it wasn't very visible on the inside corner before the paved path and was partially obscured by grass. I moved it to the outside (left) side of the corner on Saturday and it should be more visible now. If not, I'll put up a larger sign.

I plan to post an annotated aerial photo on the kiosk by this weekend. It's not an 'official' trail map, but it'll help newbies get around RHP. I'm working with RHP and Washtenaw County Parks to create an official map, but I have found that's a slow process.