Trail Project to connect Camosun to Francis King Park- Volunteers wanted

[Lister Farrar]

So, I had all the blackberries to myself today. When I couldn't eat any more, I built this stick throwing corridor for Pazza. (She doesn’t get why we need trails.)

For those hesitating, this was non-bro, easy pickaxing, and stone collecting. Easy and steady is best, like endurance training.

Come Saturday and make your abs happy inside and out.

[Lister Farrar]

Hi all:

Just a reminder of trail building tomorrow (Saturday 9 am-12 pm). Blackberries ripe and weather is cool.

Daniel from NTS suggests focusing on clearing organic soil and benching the trail through to the hydro road. (His expert rock builders for the switchbacks are away on holiday). It's all taped, cleared of brush, and raked through to the hydro road.

I've found a pick axe is the best tool (deals with the odd root well too), and working slow and steady, small swings. It's mostly dirt with small rocks, which I place above the trail for armouring later. I did about 15 metres Wednesday, about 300 metres(?) to go, which is about 20 person-sessions to go. With 10 people we could be done benching in 2 days!

Several youth team members and parents coming. Pass the word to anyone who'd like to walk, cycle or horseback ride from Colquitz trails to Francis King Park. 305 Hector road; just be sure not to block the owners driveway.

Some tools provided, BYO if you have them. Plus water and gloves.

Lunch somewhere without a dress code after?

Cheers
Lister

[Lister Farrar]

Also rock star trail limo heading out from Oak Bay bikes area at 8:30, with seats available. Post to book a seat. Canine trail testers welcome.

[Lister Farrar]

Thanks to all those who came trail building today. Nice cool day in the shade and great progress on the hill top. Next session Wednesday 6am.

Youth riders: Nicky, Liam W, Trevor, Connor
Youth parents: Craig Smith
TS adult members: John Dower, Lister
SIMBS member: Dave
TS staff and volunteers: Daniel, Brett
Coerced family : Liam Farrar

We got the trail on the top of the hill benched almost to the switch backs on the west side. Brett and Nicky and Liam cut some more blackberry on the second last switch back to make it a smoother turn. Trevor, John, Dave, Liam, Connor finished the hill top section. Daniel directed and shuttled tools before heading to another trail site.

Trevor and Craig

John Dower swings a mean pick. He came with his dog Guss; "I'm out with the dog anyway, i might as well do it here."

Connor putting everything into a 500 lb rock

[Lister Farrar]

SIMBS member Dave came out after he saw our SIMBS facebook post yesterday.

And Nicky ended up the dirtiest. Again.

[Daniel]

Awesome work everyone! It is amazing how quickly this trail is progressing thanks to all the hard work of the community and Tripleshot Cycling club. Thank you Lister for organizing and leading the charge and the rest of the volunteers for donating their time and hard work to create this valuable recreational amenity for the region.
You guys ROCK!

[Rolf]

Cool, Daniel!

Our CX ride yesterday again demonstrated the value of this connector (black line is my very rough and probably wrong approximation of the route we've been working on):


My vacation's over and I'm ready to get back to the trail at 6 a.m. this Wednesday morning (Aug. 15). Let us know of any parts or tasks to focus on.

[JTyre]

And here's MY approximation of Rolf after yesterdays CX ride that included that extra bit through Calvert,



Rolf, I'll be awaiting your limo service Wednesday morning.

[Rolf]

If you’d like to add your smiling face to the shots taken here of happy, berry-eating, cross-training, trail-builders, come join JT and me tomorrow morning, bright and early!

We’ll be driving from Oak Bay/Fairfield just after 5:30, arriving out at Hector close to 6 a.m. Feel good about PM-ing me for a pickup. All you need are gloves, water, and good boots (and a pick-axe, if you’ve got one!)

[Lister Farrar]

Cool, Daniel!

Our CX ride yesterday again demonstrated the value of this connector (black line is my very rough and probably wrong approximation of the route we've been working on):


My vacation's over and I'm ready to get back to the trail at 6 a.m. this Wednesday morning (Aug. 15). Let us know of any parts or tasks to focus on.

The trail has about 6 more switch backs than your estimated line, but the line is in about the same place. And it does show that the alternative means riding on prospect lake road; a bit unfriendly in the dark and rain. Its worse for anyone that doesn’t like the cliff edge Calvert trail. Eg like equestrians; they have to walk their horses along interuban, viaduct, and prospect lake rd. Liesl who boards horses on Hector says she’s been dreaming of this trail the whole 27 years she’s lived there.

In case Daniel doesn’t chime in, the last advice he gave was to keep clearing the trail tread of roots, benching the sloped bits, and save rocks for armouring. Pick axe is the best tool; 2 or 3 are up there. 150-200 metres to go. Big rock work when the experts return from holiday.

[Rolf]

Here are some of Lister's and my shots from Wednesday. It was astonishing to see all the progress made over the past three weeks. There will be some truly gorgeous stretches on this connector—meandering and swooping about under the arbutus.

The Nature Trails Society will have their expert rock-workers out this Saturday focusing on the trickiest switchback up a small rock face. I might rope some kids into heading out 9-12 to continue the removal of organic material. PM for a lift.

[Daniel]

Yes we will be back in tomorrow morning to start putting together some of the the big rock work needed. If you can help please bring gloves, water and maybe a pick axe if you can. But mostly we need help moving rocks. So gloves, sturdy boots and a strong back.
Hope we see you there

[Lister Farrar]

Yes we will be back in tomorrow morning to start putting together some of the the big rock work needed. If you can help please bring gloves, water and maybe a pick axe if you can. But mostly we need help moving rocks. So gloves, sturdy boots and a strong back.
Hope we see you there

How'd Saturday go? Dyin' here to see the rock work.

Youth team trail builders rode really well at the weekend at provincial track championships, almost all posting pbs. We'll be back Wednesday.

[Rolf]

There are some good shots from Saturday of impressive rock-work on the NTS FB page, including these:

[JTyre]

Thanks for the photos, Rolf. As I've said before, I'm prepared to eat my shorts if that trail becomes end-to-end rideable. By the looks of last Saturday's efforts I think I'll start scarfing down my left pant leg right now .

[Lister Farrar]

John: hope your dietary choices didn’t inhibit your attendance this am.

Rolf, I’m looking for a missing man trail building image but failing.

Rock stars today were Matt, Griff, and Daniel, moved about a bajalion rocks into The Switchback. Next session, Saturday, 9-12.

[Lister Farrar]

Griffen moving rocks that weigh half what he does:

[Lister Farrar]

Daniel and Romeo build the rock ramp for The Switchback.

[Fozzy]

I see that Sprocket was in supervisory mode

[Lister Farrar]

Trail building Saturday 9-12.

Bring yer supervisory canine.