6 Mile Run Conditions

jdog said:
but apparently a rare bat is active around April 1st and they must vacate the months end.. or it was an April’s fools joke.
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It's real and it's a joke. If you do any activity that requires a njdep permit they won't let you clear trees within a certain timeframe (I thought it was june 1 thru September... you know when most construction activity occurs) due to the potential nesting of the Indiana bat. It's an endangered species (so I get the concern...generally) but it is my understanding that the animal has rarely been spotted in NJ (as NJ is not part of its natural range) and has never been spotted in somerset county (Or at least that was true as of a few years ago). Totally absurd that njdep restricts construction activity to such a significant degree over a bat that may not even exist here and isn't native

Found this online about the Indiana bat. Since nj is not part of its natural range the # of Indiana bats in nj is literally 0.0% of the population. The restriction is waaaay out of line with the potential threat https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/mammals/inba/pdf/2017IBatPopEstimate5July2017.pdf
 
adogg said:
Do you know if there is any trail maintenance scheduled for 6MR that some of us could volunteer and help out?
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The work that needs to be done here is truly not fit for big groups of people. I hold a chainsaw certification and without that the park won’t be happy for others to run saws here.

I do ask that you each keep an active JORBA membership as this pays for insurance, gas and tools.

I have no issue with anyoe using hand saws in the park to clear fallen trees. I only ask that you are incredibly careful.
 
jdog said:
The work that needs to be done here is truly not fit for big groups of people. I hold a chainsaw certification and without that the park won’t be happy for others to run saws here.

I do ask that you each keep an active JORBA membership as this pays for insurance, gas and tools.

I have no issue with anyoe using hand saws in the park to clear fallen trees. I only ask that you are incredibly careful.
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i definitely could have used some certified chainsaw help last summer!

i needed 17 stitches thanks to some careless chainsaw operating...thankfully it was just a flesh wound.

so everyone, listen to @jdog! be careful with those damn saws!

IMG_2774.jpg
 
In my freshman year of HS in Maine, I took two electives. One was chainsaw maintenance and the other was selective woodlot cutting. These might have been the most meaningful two classes I’ve ever taken.

It’s hard to imagine classes like this occurring in NJ, but in Maine, a chainsaw exists as important tool. Most homes are heated with wood and forestry continues to be a big bolster to the economy.

A few things I always try and stick too

-Keep your saw sharp and never let the chain hit the dirt.
-assume that everything wants to fall on you.
-use the brake like crazy. If the chain isn’t running with intention, it should be on. Never walk or move you position without the safety brake on.
-work with a partner. This has saved my neck so many times.
-use ear protection. I’ve gotten in the habit of running double coverage.. one set in the ears and one over.
-let the saw do its work. You shouldn’t need to Push the bar into a cut.
-keep clear footing.
-keep hydrated and don’t overlook the fatigue that occurs when running a saw.
 
Great points. As A Firefighter and Rescue Tech, I use Chain Saws all the time. I have taken several courses on wilderness rescue and venting. The premise is the same.
It's more about safety then the cut. Because if you cant cut it safely... you cant cut it.
I would add...

- Eye Protection is a Must.
- Wear a Helmet and Gloves ( not a bike helmet )
- you should wear a long sleeve shirt/jacket.
- Pants would also be warranted, I would wear pants
- Don't lift the saw above your head.
 
Rode the canal side short loop this morning as the snow started to turn into slush. Blue - White - Red. I let local trail-clearer extraordinaire @clarkenstein know but if anyone else is ambitious - remaining trees blocking the trail:

Blue (gps miles): 1.5, 3.0, 3.5-3.6 (after the new bridge - multiple cedars). As an aside, didn't know about that new double hump on the downhill right after this going back into the field - was going far to slow to clear it and OTB I went. 4.0-4.1 (before the old bridge at the end of blue)

White: Dave did a great job clearing this, only one spot @ 5.1 miles. As a second aside, I got to the rainbow bridge by the picnic table and saw all the slats sawed out - wtf? Was ready to take a pic then realized there's a new bridge with a railing to the left - never mind

Red: again Dave cleared everything - clear to canal road.
 
rick81721 said:
Rode the canal side short loop this morning as the snow started to turn into slush. Blue - White - Red. I let local trail-clearer extraordinaire @clarkenstein know but if anyone else is ambitious - remaining trees blocking the trail:

Blue (gps miles): 1.5, 3.0, 3.5-3.6 (after the new bridge - multiple cedars). As an aside, didn't know about that new double hump on the downhill right after this going back into the field - was going far to slow to clear it and OTB I went. 4.0-4.1 (before the old bridge at the end of blue)

White: Dave did a great job clearing this, only one spot @ 5.1 miles. As a second aside, I got to the rainbow bridge by the picnic table and saw all the slats sawed out - wtf? Was ready to take a pic then realized there's a new bridge with a railing to the left - never mind

Red: again Dave cleared everything - clear to canal road.
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this helps a ton - i'll finish up this side of things by the end of the week. then we can let it dry and ride!
 
rick81721 said:
Rode the canal side short loop this morning as the snow started to turn into slush. Blue - White - Red. I let local trail-clearer extraordinaire @clarkenstein know but if anyone else is ambitious - remaining trees blocking the trail:

Blue (gps miles): 1.5, 3.0, 3.5-3.6 (after the new bridge - multiple cedars). As an aside, didn't know about that new double hump on the downhill right after this going back into the field - was going far to slow to clear it and OTB I went. 4.0-4.1 (before the old bridge at the end of blue)

White: Dave did a great job clearing this, only one spot @ 5.1 miles. As a second aside, I got to the rainbow bridge by the picnic table and saw all the slats sawed out - wtf? Was ready to take a pic then realized there's a new bridge with a railing to the left - never mind

Red: again Dave cleared everything - clear to canal road.
Click to expand...
y u no help him, you don't work
 
i'm using a handsaw - my new toy is a corona 18" razortooth - takes about a minute to get through the bigger trees. i won't use a power saw solo. i've seen the results of kickback. that's the kind of first aid that can't be cared for solo.
 
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