Sunday, November 22, 2009

Minnesota River crossing is WAY better!

Like Wow Scooby, -Why didn't they do that two weeks ago? Thanks Sean!

Crappy phone-vid from that day - didn't want to miss the splash.

changed to a picture.

6 comments:

queasyfish said...

I just noticed that Sean sent this to you guys too. doh

Heath said...

Do you have a photo from when we crossed it a couple of weeks ago?

While this looks convenient and safer, the MORCification of the crossing continues to chip away at the soul of the trail.

SeanH said...

"soul of the trail" meh.

queasyfish said...

I hear what you're saying, but I think the bridge is an enhancement actually; it wouldn't give me a thrill to fall in. They sucked the soul out years ago, over-smoothing all the rough places. Didn't you think of all the rutted, muddy, log-filled places as we flew past without a need to even slow down? -It's long dead in that respect. A good place to bring novices and children now. I'm not sure if it was MORC not knowing when to quit or some sort of political compromise - there was a plan to pave it at one point wasn't there?

SeanH said...

Little bit of both. Part of the problem is that area floods every year so the trail can change radically from year to year. Another factor is it is a multiuse trail. The hikers don't want to deal with mud bogs-and neither does this particular biker. Riding in mud is bad. I also don't miss the huge swaths of sand that used to be in sections. The other BIG problem, which John mentioned, is that the MN DNR wants to PAVE the whole thing. The city of Bloomington and numerous groups have been fighting that. Not sure where that plan stands. Last I heard it was on hold.

That being said, unlike Murphy, Theo, or Leb, most of the obstacles that are there did arrive there naturally. Sure they are then modified to make them more rideable. I don't think MORC has gone too far-I think they have done what they have to do work with several different land managers to create a sustainable multiuse trail.

queasyfish said...

Um yes, the video has obviously been switched for a pic. It was too pixelated.