RE: Raystown Lake
The design concept was created by volunteers from the Friends of Raystown Lake (FORL) in partnership with the Corp. This includes the general configuration of the loops, distribution of trails, location of trailheads, etc. Their decisions were based on information they obtained from a series of Trail Care Crew visits and the Trail Solutions text. The design concept was used to obtain the required environmental & archeological approvals. Fortunately, this approval was area, and not corridor, based. This allowed us a greater-than-typical amount of flexibility during final design and construction.
Buck was constructed by hand during a Trail Care Crew visit as part of the ribbon cutting for project kick off.
IMBA Trail Solutions came on the scene in mid-2007. FORL & the Corp had a budget of approx $250k and a goal of ~30 miles of trail (a figure suggested by IMBA early in the process - large enough to draw from the distant metro areas). It was agreed Trail Solutions would use mechanized techniques to do primary construction and as much finish work as possible. Final hand finishing (pruning, root trimming, any required rock work) would be the responsibility of local volunteers.
The relentlessly-rolling nature of the trail was one of the first decisions we made. Given the nature of the surrounding terrain (typical PA rocky loveliness!) and the relative lack of rocks at Raystown, we wanted to create a trail different than any other in the region. As well as provide variety for local enthusiasts, flowy systems seem to be a better "gateway" trail for new cyclists. Done well, a basic rollable trail rideable by first-timers can also contain multiple "hidden"-lines challenging/satisfying to the most experienced cyclist. It also provides a great canvas for local advocates to tailor to better reflect their own riding style(s).
Initial construction began in the fall 2007. Goal was to use construction of an initial loop to develop the procedures & processes we would need to complete the build in early 2008. Doe and the majority of Sleek Dog was completed before a blown turbo in our primary machine required us to stop. Staff for this phase included myself in the primary digger (SWECO trail dozer) with Frank or Jimbo Malta on the trailing machine (DitchWitch SK650). This machine combination would form the core of all subsequent construction.
The SWECO handled most of the heavy lifting - cutting the bench & backslope and positioning/compacting the rollers & berms. The Ditchwitch did final finishing (or as much as possible with a machine!); cleaning drains, refining roller shape (and sometime position). Berms too. Both machines feature 6-way blades (control of all axes). The SWECO also features float on two axes while the Ditchwitch only one. Both are also tracked machines; SWECO metal, DitchWitch rubber track.
We returned in Spring 2008, picked up where we left off on Sleek Dog and completed the remaining "central" trails. This includes Switch, Eagle, Hydro, Osprey, and Fawn. We also built Allie. For the Spring, SWECO duties were taken over by Billy Blythe, a talented trail builder from North Carolina. I shifted to the DitchWitch. When Frank or Jimbo were available, I spent time on final design while they ran the Witch.
The remaining trails were built during Summer 2008. This includes the remaining north trails, all the trails in the south, and Stoney which connects the two areas. The summer team was different. As I was at Wissahickon, Michael Burton from Long Cane Trails assumed the roll of project manager. Michael is a very skilled builder, one of the folks responsible for South Carolina's Forks Area Trail System (aka FATS). Michael was joined on DitchWitch duties by Stephen Mullins from Sorba Pro Trails and Dewayne Buratti from Talon Trails. Billy Blythe continued as SWECO operator. Paul Cremer, also from North Carolina, pitched in for the last couple of weeks, handling cleanup of extra-tall backslope on trails like Hydro & Osprey with a mini-excavator.
We were also joined in the Summer by Asheville's Ben Blitch (B4 Construction). Ben specializes in pumptrack and bike park construction. He stole Stephen and a DitchWitch for a few of weeks, revisiting areas and doing detailed shaping. You may have noticed spots where significant changes and/or additional lines were added. Grippis & Rays Revenge in particular. These are two areas where Ben worked.
As well as build, we were also tasked with final design. In brief, this includes final decisions where the trail will go - above this tree or below that one, position & radius of turns, how to go thru swales, etc. The design concept tells us the trail will go on this hillside and have an intersection on the top of the next hill. Final design is specifically how the trail will cross the hillside, wind thru the trees, where the grade reversals go, etc.
With the pressure to construct a loop before weather closed in, Sleek Dog was built pretty much "designing from the cab". As the process moved forward and final design got some distance on construction, we had the luxury to spend more time on it. All final design was handled by me, with significant assistance from Frank and Jimbo, during the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 sessions.
In general, final design echos construction sequence - central, to north, finishing south.
Thanks for expressing interest in our process. I hope this is helpful --Dan
Dan Hudson
IMBA/Trail Solutions
e: dan.hudson@imba.com
c: (301) 655 9435