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East Fern Trail Mods

Since this gallery was first posted: 28Jan09: The ~500m section south of the Whetherbine dogwalk to Park@Richview is reopened. This allows an uninterrupted "through the woods" connector from Park Avenue to Fern Trail. Just like back in the day, before Park was four-laned! With this added treat: 31Jan09: A ~1.2M bog loop is complete. See the second map. Photo sampler at the end of this gallery. Separate photo galleries right here and here. See this, this, this, this, this, this, and this GPS track for late Jan '09 trail design/build in this area. Repair, build, remodel, and possibilities on the Fern Trail "East" area between Polos on Park Apartments and Breckenridge on Park/Whetherbine Way. This is the low, rooty area east of Polos. It's a maze of seeps and feeder creeks. You'll spot trees in this segment that are gone from developed sections. Some folks have referred to this (or at least the north-south Whetherbine - Park/Richview spur) as the Bog Trail. Many folks bypass this trail gem. Perhaps they're in a hurry to get to Tom Brown's Magnolia Trail, Lafayette Heritage Park's Cadillac Trail, or Alford Greenway Park. During heavy rains, it can be impassable. (Post Tropical Storm Fay, all four bridges were knocked out. As of late Jan '09, all have been replaced.) Take a look at these shots, and give it a try. New "Polos" bridge construction photos here. THIS SITE is private property, and doesn't necessarily represent any other individual or organization. You are welcome to download/use my photos for your private enjoyment, including printing them. Any other usage/linking must come from me in writing (email ok), with credit given. Questions, pre-scoldings, comments, ID, complaints? Thanks, John Kalin Email me TallahasseeTrails on YouTube. "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/
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  • Google Earth jpeg of the area. That's Park Avenue running east-west along the bottom, Capital Circle NE/US319 running north-south along the right edge. The narrow tall oval neighborhood is Breckenridge on Park, aka Whetherbine Way. Access the Bog section from the Whetherbine "dog walk" or from Fern Trail (lower left to top center). Polos on Park apartments are to the left of this boggy greenspace. The log rides are up near (and to the left/southwest of) the "point" of the red GPS track, top center.

    Google Earth jpeg of the area. That's Park Avenue running east-west along the bottom, Capital Circle NE/US319 running north-south along the right edge. The narrow tall oval neighborhood is Breckenridge on Park, aka Whetherbine Way. Access the Bog section from the Whetherbine "dog walk" or from Fern Trail (lower left to top center). Polos on Park apartments are to the left of this boggy greenspace. The log rides are up near (and to the left/southwest of) the "point" of the red GPS track, top center.

  • Map updated 16 Feb '09. Bog Loop is complete, with the old Polos bridge moved to creek crossing ~250m south of the new bridge. There is still no bridge at the middle connector's creek crossing.

    Map updated 16 Feb '09. Bog Loop is complete, with the old Polos bridge moved to creek crossing ~250m south of the new bridge. There is still no bridge at the middle connector's creek crossing.

  • Zooming out a bit, Fern Trail area as of June 2008. This shows all of the current Fern Trail plus some handy connectors. West (left) end of GPS track is Higher Ground Bike shop. East (far right) is Tom Brown Park's Magnolia Trail. See here for more on Magnolia Trail: http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/3269787 South (bottom) track is the old Pine Beetle Trail spur. Pine Beetle was also called the "Albertson's" trail. Albertson's is gone - it's now a Kohl's store. Northward tracks (top) are Blairstone Road (left) and Fort Knox connector (right).

    Zooming out a bit, Fern Trail area as of June 2008. This shows all of the current Fern Trail plus some handy connectors. West (left) end of GPS track is Higher Ground Bike shop. East (far right) is Tom Brown Park's Magnolia Trail. See here for more on Magnolia Trail: http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/3269787 South (bottom) track is the old Pine Beetle Trail spur. Pine Beetle was also called the "Albertson's" trail. Albertson's is gone - it's now a Kohl's store. Northward tracks (top) are Blairstone Road (left) and Fort Knox connector (right).

  • A selection of Tallahassee area trails. Shows the relation of Fern Trail (center) to some other trails. Includes some "commute" tracks.

    A selection of Tallahassee area trails. Shows the relation of Fern Trail (center) to some other trails. Includes some "commute" tracks.

  • 9 September 2008: Watch the fun as Jose, Poopees (Clarita), and Todd have fun on the big log ride. See if you can see and hear the mosquito bouncing off the lens. It's at about 35 seconds, just as Todd's about to get up on the log for his second attempt. Well before he crashes into me.

    9 September 2008: Watch the fun as Jose, Poopees (Clarita), and Todd have fun on the big log ride. See if you can see and hear the mosquito bouncing off the lens. It's at about 35 seconds, just as Todd's about to get up on the log for his second attempt. Well before he crashes into me.

  • 9 September '08: This west split log ride got floated out of position by flooding from TS Fay. Here, the boys do a rough reset. Yes, I helped before I stopped to shoot the vid. Don't be hatin'.

    9 September '08: This west split log ride got floated out of position by flooding from TS Fay. Here, the boys do a rough reset. Yes, I helped before I stopped to shoot the vid. Don't be hatin'.

  • Walking around the "bridge out" area. We start on the east side, then head around to the west (Polos on Park) side. Note how the soil on the west side is flimsy organic stuff. We'll need to base the ends of any new bridge on mineral soil, with sills/pilings. Got two or three 30 foot power poles laying around?

    Walking around the "bridge out" area. We start on the east side, then head around to the west (Polos on Park) side. Note how the soil on the west side is flimsy organic stuff. We'll need to base the ends of any new bridge on mineral soil, with sills/pilings. Got two or three 30 foot power poles laying around?

  • 26 Jan '09: Checking out the bog section south and east of the new Polos Bridge. Someone's done a nice job of raking a mostly creekside trail in this area. We'd like to end up with a "south loop" in this area. It's submerged in some sections when there is sufficient rain. That's the norm in East Fern.

    26 Jan '09: Checking out the bog section south and east of the new Polos Bridge. Someone's done a nice job of raking a mostly creekside trail in this area. We'd like to end up with a "south loop" in this area. It's submerged in some sections when there is sufficient rain. That's the norm in East Fern.

  • 26 Jan '09: On the way home, I stopped to listen to a seasonal treat. I'm ~200m north of the Whetherbine dog walk.

    26 Jan '09: On the way home, I stopped to listen to a seasonal treat. I'm ~200m north of the Whetherbine dog walk.

  • 18 Feb 2008: Decided to load up P-Snoop the Pugsley with loppers and a Pulaski to do some minor bridge repair. The two east bridges were washed out of the creek by storms back in like 2001, dude. When repositioned, these two bridges were no longer flush with the ground. Yes, this an "after" photo of the east-most bridge. Do we call this Bridge #1 or Bridge #4?

    18 Feb 2008: Decided to load up P-Snoop the Pugsley with loppers and a Pulaski to do some minor bridge repair. The two east bridges were washed out of the creek by storms back in like 2001, dude. When repositioned, these two bridges were no longer flush with the ground. Yes, this an "after" photo of the east-most bridge. Do we call this Bridge #1 or Bridge #4?

  • Same bridge, from the east side. Back in '03, I ended up on my head against that leftside log in the creek. You'd have thunk I would have fixed the bridge that day, rather than waiting five years.

    Same bridge, from the east side. Back in '03, I ended up on my head against that leftside log in the creek. You'd have thunk I would have fixed the bridge that day, rather than waiting five years.

  • This is the adjacent bridge. Yes, it's a "before" photo, looking northward.

    This is the adjacent bridge. Yes, it's a "before" photo, looking northward.

  • Same "second eastmost" bridge, looking from the north side.

    Same "second eastmost" bridge, looking from the north side.

  • Step one (not shown) is to pull the bridge out of the ground. Step two: use the Pulaski to dig out the dirt so the bridge will sit level with grade.

    Step one (not shown) is to pull the bridge out of the ground. Step two: use the Pulaski to dig out the dirt so the bridge will sit level with grade.

  • Same scene, looking southward.

    Same scene, looking southward.

  • After the repair, looking southward

    After the repair, looking southward

  • Same bridge, looking northward. Last shot from 18 Feb 08.

    Same bridge, looking northward. Last shot from 18 Feb 08.

  • 15 March '08: Trees down on Fern. This big pine fell just east of the eastmost bridge. I had time to do a basic cleanup before heading for lunch.

    15 March '08: Trees down on Fern. This big pine fell just east of the eastmost bridge. I had time to do a basic cleanup before heading for lunch.

  • A look from the east bridge back at the mess. The pine took down a few trees and assorted branches and vines when it fell.

    A look from the east bridge back at the mess. The pine took down a few trees and assorted branches and vines when it fell.

  • I stacked a few branches into a semi-stable pyramid for the time being. The big pine is solid - no decay. I wasn't ready to tackle that with just a Pulaski and zero calories. I'm standing on the log right over the original trail, looking eastward.

    I stacked a few branches into a semi-stable pyramid for the time being. The big pine is solid - no decay. I wasn't ready to tackle that with just a Pulaski and zero calories. I'm standing on the log right over the original trail, looking eastward.

  • Same scene, but looking in the opposite direction. The pine actually spans one of the many little creeks in the area.

    Same scene, but looking in the opposite direction. The pine actually spans one of the many little creeks in the area.

  • The Pugsley and B-O-B IBEX trailer give some perspective.

    The Pugsley and B-O-B IBEX trailer give some perspective.

  • Looking all the way across the creek to the fallen tree's base.

    Looking all the way across the creek to the fallen tree's base.

  • Where we came from.

    Where we came from.

  • Where we're going. There's another pine down, three bridges ahead. (That's actually just around a couple corners on this trail.) It'll have to wait till after lunch.

    Where we're going. There's another pine down, three bridges ahead. (That's actually just around a couple corners on this trail.) It'll have to wait till after lunch.

  • After lunch - we're back and looking eastward. This dead pine fell just west of bridge #2 (if you're coming from the west), or bridge #3 (if you're coming from the east).

    After lunch - we're back and looking eastward. This dead pine fell just west of bridge #2 (if you're coming from the west), or bridge #3 (if you're coming from the east).

  • Looking back westward. Note the angle isn't right to do a pyramid. And the log's half rotted. My plan was to cut a section of the log and push it off the tread.

    Looking back westward. Note the angle isn't right to do a pyramid. And the log's half rotted. My plan was to cut a section of the log and push it off the tread.

  • After the fact, looking eastward. I rigged a lever to push the log off trail after chopping out a section (left). It wasn't that hard, though I still wish I owned a Peavey: http://www.benmeadows.com/store/Forestry/Logging_and_Clearing/Logging_Tools/21828/

    After the fact, looking eastward. I rigged a lever to push the log off trail after chopping out a section (left). It wasn't that hard, though I still wish I owned a Peavey: http://www.benmeadows.com/store/Forestry/Logging_and_Clearing/Logging_Tools/21828/

  • Looking westward at the cleared out area. Last shot from 15 March 08.

    Looking westward at the cleared out area. Last shot from 15 March 08.

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