Trees down open thread

I have reports that trees are down on the Maryland section of the CCT (but it appears NPS cleared the trees on the DC section). Any other blocked trails out there?

Comments

[Bill]

I counted ten down trees across the Mathew Henson Trail this morning.

[CyclingFool]

Fortunately, there were no issues with downed trees along the sections of Four Mile Run and the MVT that I ride as part of my commute.

I did read from a poster on bikeforums that there were several trees down on the W&OD, though. I'm sure other washcycle readers will have more details.

Hope they get the downed trees cleared from all the trails soon. Or maybe they'll leave them there claiming that since these are MULTI-USE paths we should just leave the trees there until they rot lest we deprive the fallen-tree climbers of their opportunity to enjoy their hobby (à la the XC skiing excuse for not plowing the snow this winter)... :-\

[tom]

You would be surprised by the number of timber sports enthusiasts in the area.

[Beaker]

I cycle Georgetown Branch between SSpring and Bethesda. In the past 3 years, I've had to dismount and carry the bike over a downed tree once. On my ride this AM, I carried my bike over 7 downed trees between SSpring and Connecticut Ave.

[SJE]

Beaker: WHAT? I only counted 6 this morning. Does this mean MORE fell?

[Beaker]

SJE, I counted the one down just west of Connecticut, where the trail resumes after the intersection. Technically, this is not between SSpring and Connecticut. Whether 6 or 7, I think we can agree that the Georgdowned Branches Trail earned its name today.

[SJE]

Beaker: haha, I like it. All said and done, it was quite the obstacle course. I am just hoping that none of those trees had poison ivy.

[Jim Titus]

At 8PM there was still a tree leaning over the trail on a couple of stretched wires. I notified BG&E. The power company clearcut most of the land along the trail during the last few years so this can't happen anymore--but evidently they don't have a tree cutting easement east of the high voltage line crossing.

[Jim Titus]

Oops. I meant to say on the WB&A halway between Race Track Road and the entrance to the gun club. About two poles east of the sewer leak or whatever that long-standing stinky smell is.

[washcycle]

Two big trees fell across a billy-goat trail that I use as a shortcut. It stinks because no one will come and clear it and so I either have to carry my bike over every day or find another route.

[David]

Mr. Washcycle - While walking the dogs, I recently saw a man holding a small chain saw and riding. On second thought, I might miss this blog...

[washcycle]

Think he'll go and cut the trees? The worst part is someone illegally dumped a truck load of trash on the trail and I was picking up pieces and throwing them away one at a time. I just got the last of it and then this...

[SJE]

Someone cleared the CCT from East of Connecticut Av to Jones Bridge Road. They cleared out the obstructions, but left the trunks way over the CCT, which is pretty cool, actually.

[JJ]

I saw the good Samaritans with a huge chainsaw on the CCT east of Connecticut Ave about 6:30 pm last night. They did a nice job clearing the trail.

[Michael H.]

There were at least two downed tree limbs blocking the W&OD, but closer to Leesburg. (Yeah, I did a really long ride yesterday.) At the first spot, an NPS crew was there working on the limb. I think they had already cleared some other limbs and branches nearby.

A 1/2 mile further up, after the Rte. 7 (?) crossing, another downed limb or tree was blocking the entire path. This was about 7 miles from Purcellville. I turned around and went back to Arlington. I told the NPS crew about the other tree.

There were also many smaller branches littering the trail around Clark's Gap. Nothing too serious but you have to watch for them. If you run over some of the larger pieces, it could knock you off the bike.

I'm guessing that the NPS crews will have cleared the trail by today.