Hop Ev Riding Area Work Parties Early July 2020

Two work parties took place at the beginning of the month. David Rauseo transported telephone poles that were donated by the Granite State Telephone Co. in Weare. The poles were cut to six-foot lengths for use as fence posts and bollards. David also used his excavator to dig holes and move boulders. Daisy Mae, Wayne Heath, and John Mesick helped with installations.

Granite State Telephone Co. loading poles they donated

The fence to the left rotted away and the fence to the right was failing. ATVs are prohibited from this single-track trail, but with the wide entrance they have had unimpeded access.

Wayne Heath left, David Rauseo excavating, and Daisy Mae backfilling

The 30 inch wide entrance blocks ATVs. The posts are set 36 inches deep into packed earth. Signage is now up to date.

ATVs are prohibited from this one-way single-track trail. ATVs winched the bollards out of the ground so that they could enter the trail in the wrong direction.

The 30 inch wide exit blocks ATVs. The bollards are set 36 inches deep into packed earth; no ATV can winch these out. Signage is now up to date.

In the winter the local snowmobile club shares this trail. At the beginning of their season they move the boulders away to open access, and at the end of their season they move them back. This year they didn’t leave a narrow gap for bikes in the middle, but left a wide gap on the right side for ATVs. ATVs are prohibited from this single-track trail.

River Loop crossing East Weare Rd before.

River Loop crossing East Weare Rd after.

River Loop crossing South Sugar Hill Rd. Missing signage replaced.

The maximum legal ATV width in the riding area is 50 inches. An oversize UTV winched the bolder to the side to gain access, knocking over the sign post in the process. Overgrown vegetation also obscured the signage.

Stark Pond Trail entrance before, from the main parking lot.

Larger boulders were set beside the trail with a 52 inch wide gap in between them. The sign post was reset and vegetation cleared. Daisy Mae in photo.

Large boulders were set beside the trail with a 52 inch wide gap in between them. The rock wall to the left was built up with additional stones. The maximum legal ATV width in the riding area is 50 inches. Trail widths in the trail system, including gaps between trees and bridges cannot accommodate wider vehicles. Oversize UTVs have damaged bridges and gotten stuck. All trails in the system are one-way in direction. When the UTVs have encountered an impassable obstacle they have been forced to return to the parking lot by driving in the wrong direction on the trail.