The trails now marked out to the top, the only small compromise is moving the trail head back down the track a little, meaning thigh bone has already started :) This allowed us to incorporate some nifty trail features as well as ensure the climb was not to steep but will make the descent a "hoot" of a ride ! We had always planned something interesting as the easy climbing track, "ankle bone" has been built.
Large Log Obstacle
This wonderful fallen tree provided an excellent opportunity for something a little different, an A line over a "Y" in the log, with a drop off on the back side as you descend. We cut a narrow gap to slow down those that choose the "B" line for the descent, this is also the line you have to take when climbing. The "Y" in the log will be filled will loose logs from another coppiced tree (only 1/2 full presently) , leaving the logs "loose" under the wheels should add a degree of interest to the trail feature ! Pics are worth a 1000 words, so hear's a few thousand.
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| Chainsaw cut for the "B" line through a 3ft thick log ! |
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| "A" line of the same log, looking up, with a drop off on the down side ! |
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| Same log from above, "A" line (left), "B" line, right |
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| Logs curing, after debarking, in preparation for use as stringers on the up-ramp over the log |
Half Bench
Here the trail threads between a large spotted gum and a large string bark, the down hill side is right near a 10m near vertical drop into a creek. The large spotted gum was providing stabilisation but needed a little help to make the track a little "safer" and more sustainable. We built a rock wall and filled it with cut material from the benched track a little further up the trail.
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| Through the trees, before |
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| Through the tree, after |
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| Rocks providing stabilisation for the fill. |
We also spent a fair bit of time benching the track where it was needed, the side slope is not particularly steep, so not a lot of cutting is needed, that combined with the softer, loamy, ground made for quick excavation. Having done a lot of trail work in Townsville on the Douglas trails where the ground is rocky and the soil as hard as rock, this is about 10x as fast ! Sweeeeettttt...
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| Benched track through the rain forest on "Leg Bone". |
Interesting Obstacles
Gravity Drop
There's a nifty Gravity Drop, as an A line (descending only), to come, I have roughed this out and it's rideable, if you're careful but really needs a little benching as there is a small off camber section that is a bit "tricky".
Overlocker Corner
This has two sets of two large trees to thread the needle through, thus "Overlocker". Sewing aficionados will know why we called it "Overlocker Corner"
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| Top of the corner, first set of trees to "thread" between |
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| Half way through the corner, the second set of tress to "thread" between |
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| Soil ramps (large rocks buried) over a log after "overlocker" corner. |
