Just so we don't hijack the "Forum's back!" thread...
As of last night, the Jail Trail was still unplowed. I haven't ventured to Junction Hollow, but I imagine the conditions are similar, if not worse.
I wonder how much good shovels are going to do at this point, given a couple of thaw-freeze cycles are ahead of us....
It wasn't that bad. Dan had a snow shovel and cleared the west approach to the hot metal bridge on the oakland side in about 1-1/2 hours. I had a flat spade, and got about 2/3 of the east approach on the oakland side.
And for the record, I'm not crazy for shoveling snow on a public trail sunday morning - Dan was the one not wearing a jacket (
)
I _had_ a jacket. It was hanging on the fence.
I dunno about efficacy, really. My guess is that, so long as the Jail Trail is kaput, the city's not worried about the bridge either, so I expect it'll just keep on as is for a while. My fear is that the bridge will end up ice-choked and unusable, even if the trail is eventually plowed, because equipment heavy enough to deal with the compacted crap won't fit on the bridge.
I do think it'd be cool, and good PR, for a bunch of cyclists to clear the whole thing in a couple of hours some morning. Make getting to Bates or Second from the Works a lot easier, too.
I was out on Monday and spent four hours with a saw clearing away all the trees that were down on the Eliza Furnace Trail. I then sent a 311 to the city to tell them that the path was clear and there was no reason for them not to give it a decent plowing.
Kordite- you rule
I also sent a letter to 311 and told them that old people were falling and twisting ankles on the junction hollow. (partially true depending on your definition of old) We shall see, if not I may have found someone to do it for some cash as I previously mentioned before the great messageboardageddon of this week. Will keep everyone posted on developments
I'm still in for contributing to the Plow Junction Hollow fund. I rode home via the Birmingham Bridge and Forbes Avenue through Oakland yesterday. One cannot put a price on the convenience of the Jail Trail and the hollow.
Yeah I was stir crazy from not riding my bike in so long I attempted on Monday (from Garfield to South Side)... It was just fine going in across Birmingham, but I realized how naive I was to think that the bike paths MIGHT be plowed for the ride home (and I didn't check the Message Board first). Yoi.
Think I'll 3-1-1 about that as well, thanks for being proactive guys! I'll be in for a Plow Junction Hollow fund as well... And shoveling...
Anyone going to do some trail work this weekend? Hot metal bridge? Panther Hollow? I'm up for helping. I'd also donate to any P.H. plow "sharer" scheme.
Mick
put a feeler out at chasers last night. It appears that nobody has the proper equipment down here to plow the trail. I'm still waiting for a call back from a buddy with a trailer and bobcat
@Mick: I'm contemplating a Saturday morning shovel-fest on the Hot Metal bridge. It's supposed to be partly sunny and in low 30s, so this would be the time to get it clear.
@Reddan; That would be great from me. I live in south Oakland. I can roll out of bed and down the hill.
What time?
What is this word "sunny," you mentioned?
I saw the sun for a full 30 seconds today! So you can count on me to shovel without looking up periodically, I've had all the sunshine I can handle.
Where/when are you planning to meet? No promises, but if I can get there, I'll have a shovel with me.
Does anyone know the state of the Ft. Duq bike/ped bridge, North Shore Trail, Northside Trail and Southside trails are? Any complaints been filed?
I'm guessing they haven't been touched.
Huh...lost my prior post.
Scott, the Ft Duq. bridge is very clear. Some ice pack on the Point ramp, some piled snow on the stadium switchbacks, but nothing too bad.
