RollingRock
Active member
Tropical Storm Irene wreaked havoc on the Greeley Ponds Trail. Tropical Storm Irene devastated the entire length of the Greeley Ponds Trail and a section has been recently reopened from Livermore Trail to Timber Camp Trail. The devastation was caused where the Mad River, having its course thrown off-stream by washed-out rocks and tree-debris, drained into the Greeley Ponds Trail in several places. I decided to check it out and our beloved hiking and cross-country ski trail will never be the same! It seems to me that this trail received the most damage from Hurricane Irene. This is the video I took of the Mad River downstream from the Greeley Ponds Trail that helps explain why this happened. View Video>>
A Warrant Article requesting $30,000 was presented at Waterville Valley Town Meeting on March 13. This money will be used to repair storm damage, relocate a section of the trail, and place a series of stepping stones across the West Branch of the Mad River. The repair is called the Mad River Trail Project and plans are being made to restore it.
I took some photos of the section of trail that was recently opened. At the trail junction, there is sign indicating how far the trail is open to and another sign about what happened.
The trail was gutted by the raging torrent, so that its footbed is a rumble of rocks. The hiking trail itself is now on both sides of where the trail was gouged. Click on the links below to view photos. Gouged Trail. Collapsed Section. Trail is now a former mountain brook. One of the better sections. Forest Service Creating Dirt Mounds To Prevent Erosion. Depressing Photo. Gravelly Trail. Trees Over Trail for Restoration. The Knight's Bridge Is Gone. Steel From Bridge. Trail Closed.
We met a pair of hikers who were also scouting the trail who had the same reaction as us. Is there anything we can do? If the Forest Service seeks volunteers to assist I think they will have no problem finding willing people. Despite this devastation, there is hope.
A Warrant Article requesting $30,000 was presented at Waterville Valley Town Meeting on March 13. This money will be used to repair storm damage, relocate a section of the trail, and place a series of stepping stones across the West Branch of the Mad River. The repair is called the Mad River Trail Project and plans are being made to restore it.
I took some photos of the section of trail that was recently opened. At the trail junction, there is sign indicating how far the trail is open to and another sign about what happened.
The trail was gutted by the raging torrent, so that its footbed is a rumble of rocks. The hiking trail itself is now on both sides of where the trail was gouged. Click on the links below to view photos. Gouged Trail. Collapsed Section. Trail is now a former mountain brook. One of the better sections. Forest Service Creating Dirt Mounds To Prevent Erosion. Depressing Photo. Gravelly Trail. Trees Over Trail for Restoration. The Knight's Bridge Is Gone. Steel From Bridge. Trail Closed.
We met a pair of hikers who were also scouting the trail who had the same reaction as us. Is there anything we can do? If the Forest Service seeks volunteers to assist I think they will have no problem finding willing people. Despite this devastation, there is hope.
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