Friday, May 22, 2015

Trail Status as of June 4th

Shimek Trails as of June 4th.
Marsha rode at Shimek on June 3rd since the trails had been opened. She found that most dirt trails are still very wet so she rode on the WWT. She found a downfall totally blocking the WWT just a slight ways off the dead end gravel road. There was no way around through the thorny underbrush with at least 2 large birch/aspen trees involved. She notified Forester John Byrd and by this morning at 9:30, all was cleared away and the WWT is clear and ready to ride! Enjoy! And much thanks to John and crew for the fast work.

Before going---remember to call 319-878-3811 for the current status of the trails at Shimek.

Friday, May 1, 2015

CANCELLATION of Group Work Day Thursday May 21st

FOS WORK DAY MAY 21 CANCELLED
Since the rains have continued this week and and the rain is still falling as we write, the Friends of Shimek Work Day scheduled for tomorrow May 21 is cancelled.  The trails are soggy and riding or
working on them would be damaging. We will reschedule when its drier! We are sorry to disrupt everyone's plans once again...but there will be better days to work.


SHIMEK TRAILS STATUS
Right now ALL EQUESTRIAN TRAILS are closed. The message on the office phone machine as of 1pm on May 20th states that “if we do not get any more rain between now and Friday the trails will open  at noon, on Friday, with some trails open”. Please call the phone at
the office to check the status before planning to ride there this
weekend (319-878-3811).    Whether John will be able to open any of the trails depends on what happens over the next day or two.  He said he is hopeful that “with good sun, wind and no rain for two days , the trails should be fair (some spots will never be fair) for riding.” 


Also, check your online weather --- weather projections I've seen indicate a high likelihood of more rain on Sunday and Monday.



Meet at the Lick Creek Lower Campground at the graveled entry loop at 8:30 AM on date to be determined.   Be sure to check back here the night before to be sure we have not had to reschedule again.  Look for Ringo Covert, FOS Work Day Coordinator. Ringo and John will assign teams to work specific trail areas for downed or leaning tree removal. Some areas will require the use of the DNR track loader to push aside larger trees. The You are Here signs that were removed in the fall will need to be re-installed. We also need to pick up cans/bottles/litter along the roadway and on trails. Lots of trail work needed. Marsha has a list of the locations where trees are across the trails.Volunteers should bring ATV's, chain saws, safety equipment and any other tools they might need.

Campsite work needed will include removing tree tops to the woods in the Lower Campground (hazardous trees to be cut on May11th), installing supports for gates at Upper Campground horse shelter, replacing the hitching post at site 31, Lower Campground, and general clean-up. Cody Brothersen will work with the teams doing this and will supply all tools and materials needed.

Brown bag your lunch--Bottled water provided. We will work until noon or later depending on each volunteers schedule.

Be Aware: Ticks are bad in the woods---bring your tick repellant!  Contact Forester John Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or Ringo Covert at covertr@westburlington.org. Ringo is the FOS Coordinator for this work day.

Bring Iowa deposit cans/bottles to sort/redeem/ recycle. Ann Bennett is in charge of the recycling.




 
Come help us remove trees across trails and work in the campgrounds on May 12th.
Check out the Event at the Friends of Shimek Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/465833910235869/