Rausch Trail Cutting

[Lynn]

Anyone interested in helping me cut trails at Rausch? I'll be there the next two Sundays, Nov. 10th and 17th, trying to get two trails cut before winter. I'll be at the motocross check-in at 9:00 a.m.

[Mike in NJ]

Lynn:

I definitely can't make the 10th, but the 17th is a possibility (unless I'm in VT, or haven't replaced my spare yet) - I'll let you know definitely by the 14th. Great place up there, looking forward to help expanding the trails.

Mike in NJ

[JohnXJNJ]

I may be there one of those days do i have to let u know before hand or can i just show up at the MX track by 9?

Thanks

-John

[Lynn]

You can just show up. I'll be there no matter who else shows up.

[Lynn]

here's a sample of some of the terrain of the new trail: this is actually kind of mild compared to the rest of the rocks I found.

[img:1310703c1e]http://photos.imageevent.com/tealj/scouting/websize/DSC00081.JPG[/img:1310703c1e]

The trail starts out weaving into the forest and through a mudhole, then turns slightly uphill through rocks like the picture above. Then there's some wide open forest leading towards a hillside. Then the trail will lead away from the hillside and towards a rockfield and small creek. The rockfield is about the size of two football fields laid one above the other. A very large square. I frankly don't know yet how the trail will go through here. I've never had such a large area to deal with. Usually you find rockfields that run like a narrow creek bed. This is the opposite. Suggestions from those who show up will help shape how this trail ends up being.

[cshontz]

ACK! I hate rocks like that!

I'm serious, Lynn. :(

We all know I'm never building my Jeeps any bigger. Those are just nuisance rocks. They're easy, but you have to be paying close attention. They shake your Jeep all around, and clunk and bump your underside when your Zen-like focus starts to fade. Sometimes you get snagged on one ... and you wonder, "What in the hell is that sound?" ... and then you realize: "Oh, I can tell from the resonance that I'm hitting my crossmember skid!", or "Oh, thats a gas tank.", or "Oh, thats a diff!" ... and then, to make it worse, you had Five Alive for breakfast this morning, and you get the runs, and then you have to focus on navigating those little annoying rocks.

I like BIG HONKIN ROCKS ... just like the ones you just saw in Tellico. I only like wheelin on no more than two BIG rocks at a time. :) Even in my little TJ, I have more fun picking lines up big wacked-ass hard looking rocks ... lets say, Upper Wampum style terrain, ya know?

Lynn ... I'm gonna have to see how it goes, but you've got a definate maybe from me for the 10th. I have another gig pending, and I'd have to clear it with pregnant girl.

[Lynn]

This is why we need more people to get involved! Get a hold of Bruce and go scouting and find what you like. :)

[Eagle]

Am I correct that Rausch Creek is farther south along I-81 than Paragon -- which means coming from Connecticut via Scranton it's farther for me? Can anyone give me an idea how much farther it would be?

[JHKolb]

Eagle - I believe it about another 35 +/- miles down 81, and then 2 minutes to the park from there. So you are probably looking at maybe another 30-35 minutes from the Paragon exit to the Rausch Creek exit.

[Mike in NJ]

Not for Eagle "55 saves lives". :)

Maybe about 45 minutes extra!

Mike in NJ

[OverlandXJ]

[quote:b41b5bbc1e="cshontz"]ACK! I hate rocks like that!

I'm serious, Lynn. :(

[/quote:b41b5bbc1e]

Your not too fond of muddy, steep hillclimbs either are ya?...Dont deny it, i'v got video to prove it!! :twisted:

[woody]

Input from the southern hemisphere:

tell your pre-runners to Just Nail It! Cut half of the smaller trees they hit away and hang markers on half of the larger ones.

XJ door handles are as rugged as the rest of the Jeep. Trees are to VA like Rocks are to Tellico. (spectator sport :twisted: ) I am hoping to find PA has both in mass quantities. I get to ride with Hunter (Mr Nice Paint Job) this time I hope.

Woody.

[cshontz]

[quote:e8a7cad065="John B"]Your not too fond of muddy, steep hillclimbs either are ya?...Dont deny it, i'v got video to prove it!![/quote:e8a7cad065]

That was fun, John!

I usually prefer having traction, but I still thoroughly enjoy "not-making-it". When you walk right up something effortlessly, you don't generate any stories to tell around the campfire or dinner table! :)

[Lightning]

Bob Lester and I will be there on the 17th packing chainsaws. Do we need to bring anything else?Can we get directions from 81 from you?

Gary D.

[Lynn]

From Route 81, take Exit 107. At the end of the off-ramp, you'll see a small sign that says "Rausch Creek Motorsports Park". Go LEFT. The entrance is only a few hundred feet from the off-ramp on your left. You'll need to sign a waiver at the office.

[Lightning]

Thanks Lynn,sure there isnt something else we can bring? Happy to help.

[MattBlackXJ]

I'll be there on the 17th with some loppers.

[Lynn]

Loppers and chainsaws should be enough.

[Andy in Pa.]

I'll be up there too. Probably just a pair of loppers, a girlfriend and a little black dog with me.

Andy

[Lynn]

I got the first installment of my trail done today. So you guys next week can be the guinea pigs and run it. I tried to keep it wide and avoid super tight turns. It's mildly rocky with a couple places where those so inclined can take a harder line.

The second installment is roughly flagged out. It is not as rocky, but it climbs gradually up a hillside and back down again. Overall, this trail will be fun for just about everybody but the absolute stocker.

Hope to see many of you next weekend. I may not have my cherokee next week, I got a rollcage for it and it might be at Bumblebee's as soon as next weekend getting installed. :roll:

[Skorpyo]

I'm hoping to be there on the 17th, though there is a possibility that I won't if my XJ isn't in shape for the trip yet. Not everyone knows, but I had another rear output shaft go just about belly up (caught it with the splines tweaked and ready to snap). I'm awaiting my AA HD kit, which should be here sometime soon, hopefully thursday, and once the install is done and the truck runs smooth, I'll be happy to make the trip up to PA. If it's not runnin right then I'll need the weekend to keep working on it to make sure it's road and trail worthy. Regardless, Bob and Lightning are making the trip along with our buddy Mike and with some luck I'll be joining them
Skorpyo

[Eagle]

[quote:9cf32d2a24="Lynn"]The second installment is roughly flagged out. It is not as rocky, but it climbs gradually up a hillside and back down again. Overall, this trail will be fun for just about everybody but the absolute stocker.[/quote:9cf32d2a24]

Well, I guess that leaves me out, then.

[Easy Xjer]

I cant get loose till the wekend of the 24th. Are you going to be there then?

[Lynn]

The 24th is supposed to be a trail ride day, for the clubs and their members who have been out there building trails. Not sure of any details yet.

[OverlandXJ]

[quote:1bab9bb332="Lynn"]The 24th is supposed to be a trail ride day, for the clubs and their members who have been out there building trails. Not sure of any details yet.[/quote:1bab9bb332]

Lynn,

Only the club members who have been actively assisting with trail building? Or all members of a club that participated?

Unfortunately i havent been able to make any...does this leave me out?

[JHKolb]

Sorry John - as of now it's being held for those who have been helping out to show thanks for all the hard work that has gone into the current trails. The last trail ride got WAY out of control due to people posting it all over the web as an open unlimited ride. It was supposed to be limited to 30-40 and we had close to 80!

We are trying to give those who have been actively attending trail building days the chance to have a purely fun day of trail riding on those trails that they have helped to create. We have had a very lopsided showing from several of the clubs that were invited to be member clubs and do not want to let all of the current hard work go unrewarded. (Look how all of NAC's hard work was rewarded at another local offroad park!)

We will certainly be having a LOT more trail cuttings and ride for those who help out throughtout the winter and spring before the park gets offically open!

Thanks

[OverlandXJ]

I understand completely John and agree with the way your handling it. It's the fair way to do so!

Hopefully i can make some work details soon and through the winter. Do you have an idea of which weekends NAC members will be able to participate in trail construction?

Or will Lynn live there on weekends :wink: and those who can make it are welcome to come up?

I'm sure other NACers are curious as well.

[JHKolb]

I think Lynn (she can correct me here) will be there often. We are planning for the trail ride on the 24th, then maybe 1 or 2 trail scoutings/cutting after that. We will be taking Dec off from any organized outings and to let activity die down for hunting season. Depending how the winter weather is, we plan on cutting all the way through so that there should be plenty of trails available by the planned springtime opening.

[Lynn]

I've put in an offer on a 1 room treehouse, quiet location, no plumbing, new set of stairs. :lol: So yes, I'm there quite a bit. If anyone has any free time and wants to help out with flagging and mapping the new trails, just e-mail me.

[Skorpyo]

Bob wanted to thank you guys and gals for welcoming him in at the Rausch Creek trail cutting. He asked me to post these pics and to say what a great time he had getting to know everyone and working with everyone.
[img:6c80df4731]http://www.tkigd.com/images/gallery/misc/000003-Rausch-Creek01.jpg[/img:6c80df4731]
[img:6c80df4731]http://www.tkigd.com/images/gallery/misc/000002-Rausch-Creek02.jpg[/img:6c80df4731]
Skorpyo

[cshontz]

Hey, I know that smug looking punk in the center of the group!