Houghton 2018 Reports

Houghton Section Trail Work Reports – 2018

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Date
Name
Trail
Hours
Work
Volunteers
Remaining Work
Comments
2018-01-21Bob FlaggDark Hollow Path0.75Walked trail removing branches after heavy rain & winds last week. Removed medium sized tree
2018-01-21Bob FlaggTucker Hill Path0.75Walked trail removing branches after heavy rain & winds last week. Removed medium sized tree.There was evidence of significant water flow from Marker 2094 to Skyline. Trail edges are raised above treadway so would be difficult to find many places to get water off the trail. Should try to find two - three sites.
2018-01-21Bob FlaggAthol Path0.5Walked trail removing branches after heavy rain & winds last week.
2018-01-21Bob FlaggBoyce Hill Trail0.5Walked trail removing branches after heavy rain & winds last week from marker 2117 to 2130.
2018-01-21Bob FlaggBarre Trail0.25Walked trail removing branches after heavy rain & winds last week from Marker 2130 to Quincy Path.
2018-01-28Bob FlaggDoe Hollow Path0.5Removed branches from trail from Marker 2152 to HQ Path.
2018-01-28Bob FlaggBugbee Path0.5Walked trail removing branches from path and side ditch.
2018-01-28Bob FlaggForest Path0.75Walked trail removing branches. picked up small bag of trash, cleaned swale near HQ Path.
2018-01-28Bob FlaggBouncing Brook Path0.75Walked trail removing branches. picked up small bag of trash, removed small trees overhanging path.
2018-01-28Bob FlaggFells Path0.75Major cleaning on grade reversal near Doe Hollow and second one near Marker 2152. Also unblocked culvert under Mass. Trail.
2018-01-28Bob FlaggBuck Hill Trail0.5Cleaned two grade reversals east of Marker 2210.
2018-02-13Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)1Removed all small branches from trail. Scuffed duff from a good section of trail to make trailbed more visible, so folks can follow it. Rebuilt small cairns at Skyline end to mark start of trail.
2018-03-04John HahnfeldBoyce Hill Trail1.75Cleared a great deal of debris from path - more to be done - between marker 2153 and South Boyce Hill. Cleared the top part of a fallen Beech that was blocking trail on South Boyce Hill.Entire trail should be gone over once more to completely clear debris. (One can bend over just so many times in a day at 74.) There is a leaner over the trail between marker 2130 and the point where the Skyline trail crosses Boyce Hill Trail. This is hazardous and should be cleared by DCR asap.As indicated, the leaning tree from the recent storm should be dealt with as promptly as possible.
2018-03-06Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)1Cleared all downed sticks from trail.No big trees down across my trail, however a BIG tree across Skyline just east of Dark Hollow Path.
2018-03-11John HahnfeldBurnt Hill Path5Beginning at Old Route 128, we cleared debris from the trail. Much of it could be dragged off, some of it required sawing. Did not complete full length of trail, as there was too much to do. Will return soon.Allan Greenberg
2018-03-18Bob FlaggBoyce Hill Trail2.5Walked trail from 2130 to Tucker Hill Path removing many large branches and medium sized trees from trail after heavy winds and 17" of snow over the last two days. Many of braches were half buied in the snow. Also cleaned trail from 2130 to Chickatawbut Road.
2018-03-18Bob FlaggDoe Hollow Path3Walked trail from 2137 to 2151 removing many large branches and medium sized trees from trail after heavy winds and 17" of snow over the last two days. Many of braches were half buried in the snow.
2018-03-20Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)2Cleared downed trees.Bobby VogelThere is a LARGE (Chainsaw) tree across the Skyline trail between Dark Hollow PAth and MAttapan Trail. This is confusing folks and those going east are getting off the Skyline and creating a new trail up to the right of the Skyline. We piled brush to discourage this, but the real answer is to remove the downed tree on the Skyline and put up a bit more blue paint, so people can follow it through that wet section, where it tends to widen out as people try to avoid getting wet feet.We also cleared a downed tree at 2094 and cut up and removed a large limb in front of the gate at 2112, as well as cleared along Dark Hollow Path on our way to Mattapan Trail.
2018-03-26John HahnfeldBoyce Hill Trail2.5Worked section from 2153, not quite all the way to Red Dot Trail, significant medium sized debris from recent two storms was removed. Carol HahnfeldLEANER STILL EXISTS ON TRAIL BETWEEN 2130 AND LOCATION WHERE SKYLINE TRAIL CROSSES BOYCE HILL TRAIL - THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE REMOVED AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME. To my eye, there did not seem to be much supporting the upper portion of the tree where it hung up when falling. Walking under this thing is a bit nerve-wracking.
2018-03-25AMCSEMSkyline Trail7Removal of blowdowns following recent stormsPete Tierney, Skip MayslesBrush to usual standardsLarge trees requiring removal with chain saw have been reported to FBH
2018-03-27Pete TierneyPaddock Trail12.5Clear numerous blowdowns on unpaved section connecting roadway to intersection 2053.Lars, Eva, Peggy, Miho, Bill, UteOne tree has been limbed but needs removal with chain saw. Low priority, can be passed without leaving treadway.
2018-03-27Pete TierneyAyer Trail7Many blowdowns removed within 400 yards of trail's origin at intersection 2072Lars, Eva, Peggy, Miho, Bill, UteCut back greenbriar
2018-04-01Chris MullinAMC Footpath1.5Removing branches and limbs downed in the storms.Rachel Mullin, Molly MullinThree larger trees fallen across the trail still need to be removed.
2018-04-01Chris MullinNEMBA Trail (FBH)1.5Removing fallen branches and limbs from trailRachel Mullin, Molly Mullin
2018-03-31John HahnfeldBurnt Hill Path2Completed the removal of trail blocking obstacles and debris. Trail is now open from end to end. Minor debris that doesn't actually impede convenient use of trail will be dealt with later in spring.
2018-04-08Chris MullinPrescott Foot Path0.5cleared downed branches and trees from trail.
2018-04-08Chris MullinDover Trail0.5cleared downed branches and trees from trail
2018-04-08Chris MullinFern Spring Foot Path0.75cleared downed branches and trees from trail
2018-04-08Chris MullinBuck Hill Trail0.5cleared downed branches and trees from trail
2018-04-08Chris MullinDoe Hollow Path0.5cleared downed branches and trees from trail
2018-04-07Pete TierneyAndover Path0.75Cut branches and trees obstructing trail, remove debris from trail
2018-04-07Pete TierneyNursery Trail1Cut branches and trees obstructing trail, remove debris from trail
2018-04-09Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)0.5Cleared two downed trees from trail, and top of a third tree hanging down. Removed all small sticks from trail.
2018-04-09Bob VogelSkyline Trail1Removed 5" hardwood that was leaning into the trail. Removed parts of large (18" or so) downed tress that was laying diagonally across the path, causing folks to get off trail. I couldn't move the large 18" but end, but it isn't IN the trail. I got the upper 2/3 of the tree moved out and it's passable now. Removed downed hardwood tree across Skyline at junction with Dark Hollow Path.
2018-04-14John GoldrosenForest Path3.5Cut and moved downed trees from side of trail (where DCR had pushed them) further back, and off living trees. Cleared brush off trail. Cleaned and cleared culvert under trail at 2194. Trimmed foliage overhanging trail.Clean trash from trailheads.
2018-04-26Bob VogelSkyline Trail0.5Cut downed trees, picked up downed branches.Only did from Headquarters Path to 2072. There is one big tree top that was hanging into the trail. I cut away some branches to allow easier passage, but was alone it wasn't a 1 person job to try and take it down.
2018-04-26Bob VogelAyer Trail0.25Cut downed trees and picked up downed branches.
2018-04-26Bob VogelDover Trail0.25Cut downed trees and picked up downed branches.
2018-04-26Bob VogelBugbee Path0.5Cut downed trees and picked up downed branches.
2018-04-26Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)0.5Cleared fallen branches. Rebuilt cairns at ends.
2018-04-26Bob VogelMassachuseuck Trail0.25Cut downed trees and picked up downed branches.
2018-04-26Bob VogelWinthrop Path (FBH)0.25Cut downed trees and picked up downed branches.
2018-04-26Bob VogelHillside Pond Trail0.25Picked up SOME of the vary many sticks down on this trail.MANY, MANY more sticks down, but I ran out of time today.
2018-05-03Bob VogelPig Rock Path0.75Cut fallen trees sticking into trail. Cleared trail of downed branches.
2018-05-03Bob VogelFern Spring Foot Path0.5Cleared downed branches from trail.Three trees across trail that I couldn't cut because I didn't have my saw with me.
2018-05-03Bob VogelBugbee Path0.5Cleared downed branches. Cut back tops of downed trees sticking into trail. From 2140 to 2190.
2018-05-03Bob VogelSkyline Trail0.25Picked up downed sticks.Big tree across trail between Buck Hill and Rt 28.
2018-04-13Judy JacobsBugbee Path52.5Rakes side ditches from 2111 to about 2155.Marie Ryan James MacDonald Tristen Harrop Gregory Potts Rosie Hickey Thanh Lai Dan Butterfield Michelle Leonard Jonathan Reich Nathan Pelletier Chris Detwiller Curtis Reaz David Colleran Rebecca Dorant Joe RobinoThere was still some raking.
2018-06-30Bob VogelMassachuseuck Trail1.25There was a good size oak tree down across the trail. (Apparently fell this week as BH Hiking Club Meetup leader said it wasn't there last week.) After our hike I went back up and cut it and removed it from the trail.
2018-06-30Bob VogelTucker Hill Path1There was the top half of a pine down right where the trail starts off Hillside Road. It had taken down a couple 3 - 4" hardwoods with it. I cut everything up and got it moved off trail.I didn't hike the rest of the trail, this blowdown had been reported to me Thursday eve by a Red Line hiker, so I just went and cut it this morning, before my 9AM hike.
2018-07-21Bob FlaggTucker Hill Path0.5Light brushing from 2072 to Chickatawbut Rd
2018-08-04Robert MazairzBuck Hill Path10Clean out and reestablish proper drainage at eight waterbars.Timothy Sirdor, Bob Flagg, Joe Woodman
2018-08-21AMCSEM (Pete Tierney)Skyline Trail5Cut low branches, encroaching vegetation, blowdownsSkip MayslesRoutine maintenance---clear water bars, remove rocks from trail, clean steps
2018-08-27Bob VogelOld Route 1280.5Houghton Pond to 2085: Cut back brush growing into trail, tree limbs hanging down into trail, and a couple broken off trees into the trail.2085 to far end.
2018-08-27Bob VogelBurnt Hill Path0.252085 to first intersection w/ single dot on left. There were two 'widowmakers' hung up in the tree with the 2085 sign. I got one down, but the second is hung up. Picked up sticks, cut back brush growing into trailSingle dot trail to far endWidowmaker hung up in tree with 2085 sign!
2018-09-15AMCSEM (Pete Tierney)Skyline Trail12Skyline from foot of Buck Hill (west) to Route 28. Cleared rockwork staircases, removed loose stones from trail, cut briars, cleaned out waterbars.Skip, Bill, Rob
2018-09-20Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)0.75General trail cleanup.
2018-09-15Bob FlaggTucker Hill Path30Installed two grade reversals on the trail, one located at the intersection with Athol Path coming down from Skyline and the second one 100 yards west of the intersection. First one will collect the water coming down from Athol Path and prevent it eroding Tucker down to 2094. Second collects water that would otherwise flow down Tucker to 2072.Jacob Kostner, Jim Green, Dan Green, James Green, John Mileris, George Mileris, Barbara Gallinaro, Gaylie Moran, Margaret O'Donovan, Dylan Crowley, Ashlee TecenoNeed to monitor structures to ensure grade is adequate to get water downslope from the trail. May need additional structure downhill from second one to collect water from the side slope.
2018-09-15Bob FlaggAthol Path6Installed two small grade reversals on steep trail coming down from Skyline. First one is located 20 yards from Skyline and will divert water to left. Second is 30 yards down trail and diverts water right.John Mileris, George Mileris, Dylan Crowley, Ashlee TecenoNeed to monitor structures to ensure water is being diverted as desired and structures are durable enough.
2018-09-15Bob FlaggDark Hollow Path6Installed grade reversal about 30 yards south of intersection with Skyline to divert water off the trail.Jacob Kostner, Jim Green, Dan Green, James Green, Barbara Gallinaro, Gaylie Moran, Margaret O'Donovan
2018-10-06Bob FlaggAthol Path1.25Reviewed two small grade reversals installed last month on steep trail coming down from Skyline to Tucker. The lower one looked good, dug it out more at the inflow trench to improve flow. The upper one allowed water to flow back onto the trail so added debris along downslope edge of outflow ditch to push water into the woods. Also improved inflow ditch to direct water off trail.
2018-10-06Bob FlaggDark Hollow Path0.75Reviewed grade reversal about 30 yards south of intersection with Skyline to review work from last month. Looked great, removed some debris from outflow and dug trench in front of structure a little deeper to improve water flow.
2018-10-06Bob FlaggTucker Hill Path1.5Visited two grade reversals installed last month. First one located at the intersection with Athol Path looked great. Water is flowing off the trail and pooling a bit off trail. Removed pine needles that built up where the water is pooling to encourage the flow downhill. The second one 100 yards west of the Athol intersection was functioning well but the structure needed a little softening on the upside of the inflow area. Also added some fill to the structure to allow vehicles to drive over it a bit easier.
2018-11-10Bob VogelMattapan Trail (FBH)0.25Picked up small sticks. Checked for anything else.Linda DouglasNone
2018-11-10AMCSEM-Pete TierneySkyline Trail17.5Hillside Street to intersection 2141. General trail maintenance---remove stones from treadway, cut back encroaching vegetation, remove blowdowns, etc.Skip, Bob, Rob, Bill, Linda, Sue
2018-11-12John GoldrosenHeadquarters Path3.5Cleared branches from trail. Cut limbs from two downed trees that were blocking trail, leaving main trunks (which were too large to cut with a handsaw).Clear culverts and create channels for water runoff (done on 11/17, report to be filed separately).There are two downed trees blocking the trail that will probably need a chainsaw to cut and remove: (1) near Marker 2194, and (2) near Marker 2190.
2018-11-17John GoldrosenForest Path2.5Cleared leaves and branches from culvert near Marker 2194 and from stream that leads to culvert, to improve drainage of upstream swamp. Clear and create channels at several flooded sections of the trail to allow water to drain off the trail, and rake wet leaves off those trail sections to prevent blocking of the drainage channels.Because of the continued heavy rains, I will check back in late Nov.-early Dec. to see if the culvert and channels need any further work to remain clear during the winter.I have never seen the trails being flooded like this, not even in the early spring!
2018-12-08Rob HirsemanSkyline Trail10.5Did maintenance on a half dozen or so grade reversals on Houghton Hill. Started on Skyline, Hancock Hill Path, Wolcott Path, Houghton HIll Path, South Skyline, Houghton Path, HQ Path.Kevin Kee, Paul McPartland
2018-12-22Bob FlaggBouncing Brook Path0.75Walked trail from Rt 28 to pipeline to remove branches and clean nick near end of trail near pipeline. Removed branches from huge portion of tree on the trail. Picked up two small bags of trash in parking area at trailhead.
2018-12-23John HahnfeldBurnt Hill Path1Picked up detritus on the trail. Lopped occasional fallen branches extending onto trail.
2018-12-23John HahnfeldBoyce Hill Trail1Picked up detritus on trail, lopped fallen branches extending onto trail.Just uphill from 2130, a large double trunked dead tree has fallen over the trail. This is chainsaw work which should be done as soon as possible, since this is a frequently used trail.
2018-12-29Bob FlaggGas Pipeline1Cleaned grade reversal about 60 yards from Old Rt 128.
2018-12-29Bob FlaggSullivan Trail (FBH)0.75Performed light brushing on trail. Cleaned side ditch and culvert about 60 yards from 2163.There were rocks inside the culvert and it appears the culvert may be collapsing. Need to check it out when the culvert is dry.
2018-12-29Bob FlaggMonatiquot Path0.75Performed light brushing on trail. Removed large branch at beginning near Old Rt 128.