CATS Fix up Hidden Hogback Trail


CATS Fix up Hidden Hogback Trail - 8 Aug 2018
Yes indeed, we were back at our old trail that is being used a lot by the citizens in the neighborhood and around town. Last year we discovered that the snow lays in on the trail as it faces north and the trail is extremely muddy and hazardous to travel. The City of Loveland and CATS came up with a solution to throw in some crusher fines to reinforce the trail tread and stop the muddy effect during the winter. We will see how this works with the upcoming winter season. The city dumped a small crusher fines pile for us to work up Wednesday night. Three o’clock was 86° F and it was hot. Tim, Leigh and I and Andy got to work pushing wheel barrows along the trail in both directions. More of our CATS members came in after finding us on the trail and went to work. Eleven volunteers really made the difference as we played out the pile and then used the remaining time to do trail maintenance and prep for the next crusher fines delivery. Water was consumed by all us and most of us were a soaking mess from the heat. At the close of our trail whack, we sent some of new folks on a hike back to the Wapiti via the trail. Hidden Hogback Trail is one of the favorite trails there at the golf course and is used all hours of the day. The weeds were trying to reclaim the sides, but we took care of that.





Members:  Navy Bob, Connie, Dale Roberts , Brandon, Leigh, Tim, Dave Kopp, Ben Walters, Lynn, Catherine, Andy  Hours:   4.5
RESULTS:   340’ crush laid down, 400’ cleared corridor
ROSES:
o  Catherine made it up from Longmont!
o  Ben back!
o  Ran out of crush – is a good thing
o  Dave K out again
o  “I’m hungry!”
o  Sent new folks on fun hike at end of work
o  Dispersed all the crush
o  Trail looks great with 2-3” topping
o  Large crew and got more work done on clearing trail overgrowth
o  Five wheel barrows there
o  Thanks – Lynn brought out her wheel barrow
o  Thanks – Scott wheel barrow also
o  Crews broke up into haulers and spreaders
o  Fun time at Wapiti – sit outside and watched sunset
THORNS:
·     Hot – humid too – full sun
·     Ran out of crush
·     Found nail in left rear tire of CATS van – must fix
·     Missed the trail break – worked thru it
·     Weed whacker took  a hit
BUDS:  Not too much to say this time as pushing out crusher fines is not the most exciting work we do, but we are still proud of what we undertake. Even this mundane chore can still show how we take trail work seriously. We put the crush down about 3” thick to allow users and nature to pack it in. If we skimped and laid it in thin, what would be the purpose? This trail is great during the summer months, but try to walk it in the winter - good luck. The sun does not get on the trail and the snow lies up and slowly melts making a quagmire. Crush was needed and we got the job. No use in dwelling on how hard it is; just get on it and getter dun! That is what CATS is all about. We like hard projects and challenges and take them head on.
I must admit at the beginning of the evening we were just four of us and it was hard work and sweaty. When more members arrive, the work seems to get better and go faster. That pile was gone by 630 pm and we had another hour to rehab the trail. One can see how the vegetation grows back fast in this area near the river and it needs maintenance periodically. Also with any work we do, it is just a pleasure to work with so many enthusiastic volunteers and catch up with their lives with conversation and fun talk. We don’t just work like zombies out there; we talk and have fun. Sometimes there is good that comes from networking and our folks take care of each other. If you have not experienced the CATS effect – it is not too late – get out here and work trail with us. You will not be the same.

On the trail,
Bob Johnson

Go here to sign up for events: http://trailcats.org/volunteer
E-mail:  info@trailcats.org     bob@trailcats.org

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