Lincoln Woods project update...

[SherpaWill]

Has anyone heard any updates on the Lincoln Woods Trail reconstruction project? I'm planning a Pemi Loop this June and while looking for info I came across this: Forest Service . I'm assuming this means that they're announcing their plans in July, instead of the original date which was this month. Any info would be great. Thanks!

 

[peakbagger]

A trail maintainer that would be impacted was at recent training session and relayed to me that the FS plans to rebuild the bridge on the Lincoln Woods trail that has been posted for a couple of years (due to washed out support pier). They said nothing about the much larger issue with the banking wash out which would require an extended trail closure. Worst case is the Pemi loop becomes a ford across the East Branch.

 

[Ken MacGray]

The current SOPA gives an "expected implementation" of 9/2023.

https://data.fs2c.usda.gov/nepaweb/current-sopa.php?forest=110922

 

[JoshandBaron]

The current SOPA gives an "expected implementation" of 9/2023.

https://data.fs2c.usda.gov/nepaweb/current-sopa.php?forest=110922

There are some intriguing projects in there. That Greenleaf tent platform could get interesting.

 

[SherpaWill]

There are some intriguing projects in there. That Greenleaf tent platform could get interesting.

It says in the proposal that the tent platform will accommodate up to ten overnight "volunteers". I'm assuming this is going to be for trail maintenance crews and the like and not open to the public.

 

[peakbagger]

I wonder if that is part of the 2 million mystery grant for the loop?

 

[Willoughby]

It says in the proposal that the tent platform will accommodate up to ten overnight "volunteers". I'm assuming this is going to be for trail maintenance crews and the like and not open to the public.

The linked "project information form" gives more detail - definitely not intended for the public:

The popularity of the Franconia Ridge Loop hike continues to negatively impact the trails and the area
surrounding them. This is particularly concerning along the ridge itself where alpine environments are sensitive
to human impacts. AMC currently provides lodging for two alpine stewards along with an information volunteer
every week at Greenleaf hut. In past years AMC has also provided lodging for a trail intern two nights a week
and limited nights throughout the year for trail adopters. As additional administrative resources are needed on
the ridge, there is now also a need for additional overnight stay capacity near the hut to allow for additional
overnights for resource partners while still allowing for public access to overnight accommodations to the hut.
This platform could accommodate regular use by any trail crews working on the ridge, trail adopters
maintaining trails, or others bringing resource positive efforts. This addition would reduce the amount of time
that these stewards would spend commuting to their worksite and would increase the amount of time spent
completing resource positive work. Benefits of an admin platform will ultimately provide a safer environment for
admin crews by reducing exposure to steep and uneven trails (slips, trips, and falls) as well as support staff,
partners, and volunteers that are addressing resource impact concerns in the alpine zone.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63874

 

[Willoughby]

A trail maintainer that would be impacted was at recent training session and relayed to me that the FS plans to rebuild the bridge on the Lincoln Woods trail that has been posted for a couple of years (due to washed out support pier). They said nothing about the much larger issue with the banking wash out which would require an extended trail closure....

That's surprising, because when we hiked that direction recently we thought they would have to repair the embankment in order to get equipment & materials out to the bridge site.

The embankment repair is on the SOPA, as Ken pointed out. I don't see the bridge repair.

 

[peakbagger]

I agree, it was a surprise to him as it will impact maintenance of his trail. The last time they did the the so called repair and closed the trail down for most of the summer, the proposed crossing location above where Franconia Brook comes in was sketchy until late in the summer. As for the prior repair, very little time was spent on the washout and far more time and effort was spent smoothing out the trail.

 

[SherpaWill]

The linked "project information form" gives more detail - definitely not intended for the public:

The popularity of the Franconia Ridge Loop hike continues to negatively impact the trails and the area
surrounding them. This is particularly concerning along the ridge itself where alpine environments are sensitive
to human impacts. AMC currently provides lodging for two alpine stewards along with an information volunteer
every week at Greenleaf hut. In past years AMC has also provided lodging for a trail intern two nights a week
and limited nights throughout the year for trail adopters. As additional administrative resources are needed on
the ridge, there is now also a need for additional overnight stay capacity near the hut to allow for additional
overnights for resource partners while still allowing for public access to overnight accommodations to the hut.
This platform could accommodate regular use by any trail crews working on the ridge, trail adopters
maintaining trails, or others bringing resource positive efforts. This addition would reduce the amount of time
that these stewards would spend commuting to their worksite and would increase the amount of time spent
completing resource positive work. Benefits of an admin platform will ultimately provide a safer environment for
admin crews by reducing exposure to steep and uneven trails (slips, trips, and falls) as well as support staff,
partners, and volunteers that are addressing resource impact concerns in the alpine zone.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=63874

I bet it'll get use from the public in the Winter, unless they somehow remove it when the hut closes.

 

[s.e.charles]

akin to rolling up the sidewalks at dusk?

 

[JoshandBaron]

I bet it'll get use from the public in the Winter, unless they somehow remove it when the hut closes.

This was exactly my thought. Maybe they can use it for storage or something. Do people tent at any of the closed huts in winter?

 

[peakbagger]

Lake of the Crowds gets a lot of use in the winter. Unfortunately one of the uses is as sheltered place to take a dump. The hut opening crews have to go around picking up "deposits" in the spring.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Lake of the Crowds gets a lot of use in the winter. Unfortunately one of the uses is as sheltered place to take a dump. The hut opening crews have to go around picking up "deposits" in the spring.

I just passed by LOC hut this afternoon and noticed that the old basement refuge room is now sealed with a steel door that is padlocked.

 

[JoshandBaron]

Looks like Sawyer River Rd will be closed for bridge replacement beginning in August, too.

 

[JoshandBaron]

I bet it'll get use from the public in the Winter, unless they somehow remove it when the hut closes.

Apparently they have a plan, whether that works with a snowpack or not will remain to be seen:
• Use will be limited to approved resource work by installing two locked metal bars across the surface to
deter public use of the site. Hut crew will monitor the site to prevent any stray use attempts that may
occur.