Mercer County Park Conditions
- Thread starter Dictatorsaurus
- Start date
Big Al
Well-Known Member
Mercer is in rough shape after last night's storm. Blowdowns all over the place. Sticks everywhere. Windowmakers galore. You name it, we got it. Extra bonus, PSE&G put some fencing up around the powerlines by the West picnic area. Gotta go around. I cleaned up the Christmas tree trail and Yellow Lakeside and it was really slow going. Come out to trail maintenance on Saturday, we need all the help we can get.
PSE&G is in the process of replacing the lattice transmission towers with monopole towers. Check out the link here: https://www.psegtransmission.com/reliability-projects/mtb. This explains the recent replacement of electric lines and poles along Hughes and Youngs Rd and also the recent work on the transmission lines at Flock and Edinburgh Rds. I did read somewhere that PSE&G will respect right of way. The alternate 'route' via the West Parking Lot is immediately behind the playground in the vicinity of the picnic tables. Being I was out on Saturday at noontime in the crazy heat not sure whether you can make an immediate left after going under the power lines....I just went down to the cement path and back up to the regular trail. Wish I could be with you on Saturday....I don't know whether you were able to make it out to Van Nest but did a drive by today and did notice that there was some trees down in there from the road.
A few coworkers were getting ready to softball at Mercer when the storm hit, apparently it go bad really quick and at least two of their cars were hit with fallen/flying branches. Quakerbridge road had 3 trees down between Hughes and Rt 1
Rusty
Well-Known Member
Was on 535 next to the park near the CC when it hit, watched a tree blow over...was nuts like driving thru a tornado. Hid in a MCC parking lot away from trees for the few mins it took to blow thru. Just got power back....I suspect there is plenty to do there, will try to get out later this week with the hand saw at least.
TAS
Well-Known Member
OK I am back, had some dinner and took 2 Naproxin... Man I am sore... YIKES! There are trees down everywhere, all sizes.
I started on red from west picnic and headed west. In total I cut and cleared 7 downfalls and removed 1 widow maker. On yellow I made it into Van Nest Up to the big pine trees. Just past that area, another big oak is down. I turned around as it was dinner time.
Red along the Lake was clear.
Never got to Orange.
Did not check Paxton Twisty
Red trail in the vicinity of the BMX pit is still blocked by two large trees.
Yellow Trail is clear until just past the pine trees.
Thats all I could cover today.
1st two thumbs are from red trail
The last two are from yellow where I cleared two pine trees.
Note: I got pine sap all over my gloves & saws... Gotta clean that crap off!
However, I did see a cute Box Turtle crossing the trail!
TAS
I started on red from west picnic and headed west. In total I cut and cleared 7 downfalls and removed 1 widow maker. On yellow I made it into Van Nest Up to the big pine trees. Just past that area, another big oak is down. I turned around as it was dinner time.
Red along the Lake was clear.
Never got to Orange.
Did not check Paxton Twisty
Red trail in the vicinity of the BMX pit is still blocked by two large trees.
Yellow Trail is clear until just past the pine trees.
Thats all I could cover today.
1st two thumbs are from red trail
The last two are from yellow where I cleared two pine trees.
Note: I got pine sap all over my gloves & saws... Gotta clean that crap off!
However, I did see a cute Box Turtle crossing the trail!
TAS
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Strugglebus
Well-Known Member
I was there today with the best of intentions. Unfortunately I suffered catastrophic failures with both my folding saw and machete. Pics of just a few things I came across below. All were on blue and red by east picnic area
I have a few other photos but for some reason they won’t load.
I have a few other photos but for some reason they won’t load.
Strugglebus
Well-Known Member
Found this gem today. On blue.
Eventually the stars will align so I can get out for a trail maintenance day.
Eventually the stars will align so I can get out for a trail maintenance day.
Big Al
Well-Known Member
Dang
TAS
Well-Known Member
Can you please provide me a location reference? Where on blue is this? Trail looks a bit different with trees across it!
Strugglebus
Well-Known Member
TAS
Well-Known Member
The cleanup continues! Blue is now clear from East Picnic to the Rowing center.
The park ran a brush hog and cleaned blue down to the double bridges!
I cleared this one today.
Plus got pics and locations of additional downed trees.
Here's a beauty just waiting to fall....
Daily nature shot of a nice mushroom.
The park ran a brush hog and cleaned blue down to the double bridges!
I cleared this one today.
Plus got pics and locations of additional downed trees.
Here's a beauty just waiting to fall....
Daily nature shot of a nice mushroom.
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TAS
Well-Known Member
A crew of 3 will be out late tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we can get the remaining sections of blue open 
and the red loop by the river & east picnic.
Have not been over to blue north yet ... almost afraid to go look...
Has anyone been over there and have anything to report?
TAS
and the red loop by the river & east picnic.
Have not been over to blue north yet ... almost afraid to go look...
Has anyone been over there and have anything to report?
TAS
I can replace your folding saw (through JORBA) and I might have a machete in the shed too. LMK if they are both toast and lets work out how to get you replacements.