CATS Trail Project Reports

CAT scratch fever that is! This evening whack was the second of two planned prep nights for CATS as we were assigned some detailed rock work that would slow down the strategy for Saturday’s National Trails Day (NTD) event. We got back on our causeways, two built already and three in the wings. No problem as you can see by the photos (tons of photos!) that we found stone in various places and worked on Brandon’s crew causeway with much aggression. Connie’s first causeway just needed some extra end stone and then we crushed the center with fill and naturalized the area. Leigh and Connie joined us on the Scott/Leigh causeway that was giving us some trouble. The stones were a tad small and towards the end of the evening – we were running out of them. Not to mention the skitos come out at about 7 pm or so and target us juicy warm blooded creatures. The crews were focused and worked overtime again to get 95% of our work done in time for the big day! Hats off to such dedicated members. Our ...

We left Boise to head over to Rossum Drive – North end to work on a trail system that has been outlined by the City of Loveland as a loop nature trail off of the main trail system next to Rt 34. Not sure of all the names at the moment, but we will be informed later. Roughly .3 mile loop at 3 foot wide needs to be laid in with crusher fines and have some causeways built to bring up the trail out of water depression areas. We were given this assignment earlier this year and planned on just one whack prior to NTD, but after walking the site with Jonathan Huey and recording the stone structures needed – we made this a two night whack. Glad we did as the first night, we just got going on building some nice causeways – three that is. What a night to remember. Our crews pushed on through hot, sticky and then the rains off and on as we prevailed and worked pass the mild showers. The sun and shade afterwards made the place delightful to witness up to about 7 pm or so – then the skitos get you...

CATS went at it again over there at Boise Ave and finished throwing in all the crusher fines for the grassland portion of the trail. Others worked on a splendid culvert and another causeway. Eight of us worked it up until late and then headed off to the food place – McGraff’s. Finishing the crusher fines delivery via the personal use of Scott’s truck was rewarding as that project really was long and tiring. Both crusher piles are mostly depleted. We have some minor tie-ins on the western part and then we have to fall back to the beginning and finish the tie in portions there. This is going to be a beautiful trail next to the river and should hold up – unless the river rises. Members:  Bob V, Navy Bob, Scott, Leigh, Michael Hinte, Denny ​r​ berg, Dean, Brandon, Tim Hours:    4.75 RESULTS:    Installed a new piped culvert lined with stone, one causeway, new trail, crush delivery to grassland trail complete ROSES: ·    ...

What was thought to be another weather bust ended up a great success! Saturday’s weather was bleak and cold.  We woke up to misty rain and 49°F morning and it did not look great for a CATS Saturday. So I sent out a holding email to wait till high noon and see if the weather breaks. Around 845 – I got a call from Scott who was over on site at Boise and wondering if we were coming out. Yikes – he missed the morning email blast. I felt bad and sent him home at least  until noon . Well as it worked out, we all did some chores first, suited up, grabbed Whit again (grandson to neighbor next door), rounded up the CATS van again and headed over to the Boise worksite. Scott was there and the four of us went to work right away with the wheel barrow brigade. We started at the other end of the trail this time and loaded in the crusher fines. It was misty and cool – but we were stripping off layers of clothing within minutes. As we toiled on, others started arriving – Leigh, Monica...

I am in trouble. I said last year if there were ever more than a dozen on the trail for a week night event, I would eat my CATS hat. Last Thursday we fielded 15 volunteers – a record for CATS! I was beside myself. Actually, I am very proud how CATS is taking off and the members are coming out. It is almost like ‘ Field of Dreams ’ movie – “you build it, we will come”. Except we are building and they are coming out up front. The citizens are the ones that enjoy the finish product of the trail as we build it – they will come. What a grunch of members out there….great group – lots of work accomplished. We set about finding the load of stone that the COL dropped for us and used two pickup trucks to relocate the piles into our workspace. Thanks City of Loveland group! Thanks to Scott and Leigh for the loan of their personal vehicles. We picked up on the trail again from last week and moved stone and crush to develop yet another raised trail piece (1/2 causeway). Great job for all those w...