Why do we like trails so much?

[airbiscuit]

You were going to be next for the same questions
I did go to that site and poke around some.
I have a GPS that I bought new about 12 years ago. It's been in a box in the closet for most of this time . Surprisingly it charges and turns on with all my old track and waypoints still there. The problem is the computer that has the program in it died 6-7 years ago and the disc with the program doesn't talk Mac.

I was going to reply to you earlier. With the free version of Gaia GPS, As you walk and record, the detail and accuracy is just excellent. I would record and stop each trail individually. Somehow I figured out how to export those KML files to Google Earth or Google Maps, and it was quite easy, but I don't remember precisely how I did it.

I just added the app Goggle Earth Pro (free) to my laptop, and then I just drag the KML files onto the map, and the trails appear.

Can you download your GPS program directly from the manufacturer's site?

 

[Rustyiron]

Thanks, my GPS is from DeLorme, they make (made) fantastic detailed map books by the state. There home base was only about 45 minutes away from me. I have about 8 states, but back a few years Garmin bought them and shut it down. I've not heard back from them from a "contact us" email that I sent 3+ weeks ago. The DeLorme GPS unit is not listed on their site and I'll use the phone deal you guys mention before I spend a penny with Garmin!

 

[ultrarunner]

I love trails and the dozer has made many possible...

No one big section... the largest is 65 acres with a smaller 19 and 16...

The 16 acres outside Olympia is the best... it really is like a park with saltwater, salmon spawning creek, eagles nesting and NO POISON OAK!

When I opened up the 19 in the city it was challenging and fun... the downside is now it is accessible to all and no signage or fencing helps... having a private refuge in a city of 440,000 is an open invitation... most are dog walkers... a few firewood poachers and even a couple of grow operations down at the creek...

Can't take all the credit for the 19 as it was Mom and a pick and wheelbarrow for years carving out a path... she gave up smoking and when the urge to smoke came up she heading to her trail building... cannot count the number of times the police or rangers showed up... wanted to know what she or I was doing... in an area of 5,000 foot lots and open space just about everyone thinks the land is city owned... except the city!

We would ask what the problem is and then say we are just working in our backyard... after showing ID.

The 19 is now 6 which is easier to maintain.

 

[Bearsixty7]

Trails means something different for me. I like Jeep trails! Sometimes it's the challenge to make it up a steep hill, sometimes it's successfully straddling a narrow trail through the woods with steep banks, sometimes it's climbing up a rock ledge, often it's just being out of the city or suburbs and enjoying nature and camaradiere.

I'm in the office or I'd post a pic of the TJ.

 

[ArlyA]

Trails rock! Who can say which one this is?

 

[civilian]

Trails rock! Who can say which one this is?View attachment 690538

That is the trail that ArlyA maintains. He just finished painting the lower sign. Lol. Jon

 

[deezler]

Trails rock! Who can say which one this is?

Is it part of the north country trail?

I'm eager to really improve my perimeter loop trail this year and start ripping laps on my son's new (to us) go kart. I've always wanted a nice mountain bike trail on my property, but hand installing the trail simply proved way too time consuming and I didn't get far. Tractor trails it is, then.

 

[ArlyA]

Is it part of the north country trail?

I'm eager to really improve my perimeter loop trail this year and start ripping laps on my son's new (to us) go kart. I've always wanted a nice mountain bike trail on my property, but hand installing the trail simply proved way too time consuming and I didn't get far. Tractor trails it is, then.

You got it! I knew someone would figure out what NCT stood for.

 

[ArlyA]

That is the trail that ArlyA maintains. He just finished painting the lower sign. Lol. JonWe

We worked on the NCT for years but had to retire from that, after a new club president was elected. Just the same, we were trained as to how to maintain that and other trails. Trained for the maintenance and construction of

Ski trails, Bike trails (by IMBA) and of course hiking trails.

 

[Richard]

You really need trails if you have woods that are extensive. Otherwise you can’t get inside and enjoy the nature tickbites.

Fixed it for ya!

I love them little sob's.

The woods around here gets very thick with undergrowth. Went for walk once with wife & her sister out to an area I'd not been....and was amazed at how clear the woods were.....hardly any undergrowth (almost need machete to go through). Then I realized this portion of the woods were primarily pine and the ground was a carpet of pine needles. I presumed the acidity of the soil had been altered and that undergrowth wouldn't grow here. It was a very nice walk.

 

[ArlyA]

This is what we treat our wood work clothing with every spring for ticks. It works!

• 

Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents, Trigger Spray, 24-Ounce​

Visit the Sawyer Products Store

 

[deezler]

You got it! I knew someone would figure out what NCT stood for.

Oh Lol I actually didn't even see the NCT on the post - just guessed based on you posting something that said Ontonagon. Would love to hike some of that stretch someday.

 

[civilian]

You got it! I knew someone would figure out what NCT stood for.

ArlyA, I still think you need to paint those signs on your next trail maintenance you do. Lol, Jon

(NCT also goes through this area.)

 

[tallyho8]

I only have a 1 1/2 mile trail through the woods and swamp on my property but it connects to other trails on others property. It was built primarily for my horses and my golf cart. I had a 4wheeler but it was too noisy to ride. On my horse or cart it is so easy to sneak up on the wildlife without them hearing you and just seeing all the wildlife is enjoyable to me.

We have no ticks in my area but our mosquitoes are much worse and sometimes I think the wildlife smells me coming because of all the mosquito repellent I have on. Trees and brush grow fast and thick in the swamp so I have to do some trimming about every time I take a trail and after each storm a huge tree usually falls knocking down a few around it making such a mess that I have to make a new section of trail around it. Swampy areas take many frontend loaders of rock to firm it up enough for the golf cart to make it through and keeping the trails open is a never ending project.

But a nice ride through the trail usually results in seeing at least a half dozen different critters which may be rabbits, coon, possum, armadillos, alligators, hogs, deer, fox, rat snakes or moccasins, owls, eagles, hawks, all kinds of ducks, various songbirds, spiders and insects of all shapes and sizes and I'm always on the lookout for a rougarou.

 

[airbiscuit]

I was going to reply to you earlier. With the free version of Gaia GPS, As you walk and record, the detail and accuracy is just excellent. I would record and stop each trail individually. Somehow I figured out how to export those KML files to Google Earth or Google Maps, and it was quite easy, but I don't remember precisely how I did it.

I just added the app Goggle Earth Pro (free) to my laptop, and then I just drag the KML files onto the map, and the trails appear.

Can you download your GPS program directly from the manufacturer's site?

I still struggle uploading my Gaia GPS trails to google earth, but I uploaded a screenshot to show their free satellite and topo layers. They are decent, but Google Earth is more current.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

We have 95 acres here of mostly woods, hollers, and a few meadows; I have put in close to 4 miles of trails with another 2 to 3 miles to go. This is a special trail that leads to one of the farthest corners of the property and the lowest elevation of about 1000 ft. The leaves are of an Umbrella Leaf Magnolia.

 

[airbiscuit]

Looking good

 

[oosik]

The trails on my property get me to the areas I need to check/maintain. They are the best and safest way to get around the property. They take me to high points for an overview.

 

[RalphVa]

Wife says you always see something new on the trails. Could walk forever on the streets/roads and not notice much. Emphasis there is to talk to people you meet, not to see nature. My feet do not like hard pavement.

 

[ArlyA]

People have been building trails and roads for thousands of years to get to water, game, fields, lookouts, move products etc, etc. The Romans and Mayan's brought the standards up quite a bit and many of their roads can still be found today..