Blue Trail - Muddy Section

[hbpatel]

Hi,

I have ridden Mercer County Park many time before but stick mostly to the areas near the marina and tennis courts. I have ridden the other side of the park a couple of times but always get lost near the muddy section on the blue trail where it meets up with the red trail (Q-8 on the trail map).

What am I missing? I didn't see any blue markers to help guide me. I see plenty of the markers along the rest of the blue and red trails? Also if you guys usually don't do this how do you create a loop in the area?

Thanks.

 

[BiknBen]

What am I missing? I didn't see any blue markers to help guide me. I see plenty of the markers along the rest of the blue and red trails? Also if you guys usually don't do this how do you create a loop in the area?

10 years ago that portion of the trail could be ridden. There was a stream crossing but is was manageable. Now, that creek has gotten wider/deeper. That area is now a swamp.

I recommend continuing on the powerline gravel road and make a right on Bruntsfield Drive. Follow that out to Edinburg Road and turn right. Then re-enter the park by the West Picnic Area.

 

[743power]

ditto what ben said. 90% of the time it is 6" + of swampy mud with no obvious trail, just take the road back to the west picnic lot.

 

[Mick714]

Map of alternate route for the blue trail

I posted a new map with the alternate route on it
It's on the sticky in the MCP section

We got a grant to do a boardwalk through that section in 2004. With all of the runoff from the new housing north of the park the wetland is now to large to get a permit for the boardwalk.

This extra runoff has given us problems at the first stream crossing on the blue trail. Last year when we had high volume storms the water overflowed the streambed and floated the bridge away. The new two bridge system is an attempt to get the bridges higher above the water. During our last big storm the water was touching the bottom of the new pole bridge. Our options are few If you have any suggestions I'm ready to hear them

Mick

 

[hbpatel]

Thanks for the info guys. I will use the road route. I wish I would have know this on Saturday, lots of mosquitoes in that swampy section.

 

[stb222]

ditto what ben said. 90% of the time it is 6" + of swampy mud with no obvious trail, just take the road back to the west picnic lot.

i always thought I was missing the trail and would ride the road back. Eventually I saw the only blue trail and then realized it was flooded out.

 

[Dogberry]

Heh heh. I discovered this the hard way a few years ago, too.

There was a funny trail maintenance day last year where SMART went on an expedition to seek out a possible route through the swamp, so that the blue trail loop could be re-established. We had high hopes, but after much stomping around in mud, we retreated like a defeated army. So don't feel bad... it's not just you. The mud always wins. 🙂

 

[Mick714]

Trail Search

I think we do a search for a possible trail route at least once a year :hmmm:
The last search was painful. What was once a small stream had turned into a small pond. I think the local Beaver population is assisting in flooding the backwaters
During out last search when we got back to the old bridge on the blue trail the beavers had the stream pretty well dammed up with the water running over the earthen section of the old crossing. For now the road route is the best we can do Now if we could only keep the deck on the other bridge out there:getsome:
I have no doubt we will do another search later in the summer (if the rain ever stops)

 

[Ez-E]

I have rode Mercer Many times the othe side of the Lake is ALWAYS muddy. I actually haven't been to mercer in a few years since I gave up riding to play semi-pro soccer for a few years. I just got a new bike and I will be riding more and looking forward to see how mercer is doing.