For those of you that have often frequented RC but haven't made it out since last fall. You may be disappointed in some of the changes that were made over the winter (and some that are still going on).
It is my understanding when the property that RC sits on was obtained there were two existing logging contracts. One of the holding logging companies made their claim over the winter and rather than use a selection style logging practice, they came in with heavy equipment, used the trails as roads, and clear-cut their way to the trees they wanted.
The result is open sky where their once was shade and some of my favorite "club" trails are hardly a trail at all. To be honest, we found ourselves a little disoriented in the park and had a hard time finding the entrance to Cemetery which is one of our favorites. Trail 2 and 5 are almost wide open and very disturbed as well.
The silver lining (if you call it that) is the owner/operator is upset too. To try to make it right by the off-roaders, They are offering the other portion of the property (normally an up-charge) for free the remainder of the year. Sadly the damage that was done will take dozens of years to undo (if it ever can be).
By Yellow-Jacket
Believe it or not, this is the entrance to Cemetery
...and this is what was once the Cemetery "Black" trail. The "Red" loops are still in tact, but my fear is they will be stacked out by those looking for the old "Black" and they will not be as challenging.
I wish the damage was limited to this area but it isn't. We traveled 19-A to do the Red and Black loops of 19 and they were totally cleared at the foot and we were unable to do them with so much brush and debris blocking the trail. We ended up making an abort and took 19-B to Deathtrap. Thankfully this area seems to still be untouched.
It is my understanding when the property that RC sits on was obtained there were two existing logging contracts. One of the holding logging companies made their claim over the winter and rather than use a selection style logging practice, they came in with heavy equipment, used the trails as roads, and clear-cut their way to the trees they wanted.
The result is open sky where their once was shade and some of my favorite "club" trails are hardly a trail at all. To be honest, we found ourselves a little disoriented in the park and had a hard time finding the entrance to Cemetery which is one of our favorites. Trail 2 and 5 are almost wide open and very disturbed as well.
The silver lining (if you call it that) is the owner/operator is upset too. To try to make it right by the off-roaders, They are offering the other portion of the property (normally an up-charge) for free the remainder of the year. Sadly the damage that was done will take dozens of years to undo (if it ever can be).
By Yellow-Jacket
Believe it or not, this is the entrance to Cemetery
...and this is what was once the Cemetery "Black" trail. The "Red" loops are still in tact, but my fear is they will be stacked out by those looking for the old "Black" and they will not be as challenging.
I wish the damage was limited to this area but it isn't. We traveled 19-A to do the Red and Black loops of 19 and they were totally cleared at the foot and we were unable to do them with so much brush and debris blocking the trail. We ended up making an abort and took 19-B to Deathtrap. Thankfully this area seems to still be untouched.
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