Red Hill Trail Works


Simon's picture

By Simon - Posted on 08 April 2013

Hi all

Some may have noticed that fire trail work is being undertaken by Soil Conservation Services from Cromer Road. SCS is State Government and under Department of Lands.

We met with them after work on Friday when we had both knocked off and did a walk through.

Their scope is from Cromer Road down to the bitumen road that goes from the turnstile to Drop Zone. The works are currently incomplete and there are around 22 water bars going in to control water.

There is also some other significant work. The current hike-a-bike section between the fire trail and the bitumen for fire protection reasons is to become a serviceable fire trail.

From the top looking down this will go down on the left and turn to the right and will involve rock breaking and imported materials. The descending line to the right will be untouched.

This solves a number of problems for us in getting formal tracks resolved. It creates a more rideable up and down link between the top and bottom for linking Itchy and Scratchy, Drop Zone and Garden of Gullies. We will work with them and work on making it bike friendly. The works they are doing here plus on the above fire trail will also help with water control through this section.

SCS also walked through Garden of Gullies and Drop Zone helping us with ideas to stabilize these areas and get the water off. Their staff may even lend a hand.

Longer term we hope to make Drop Zone and Garden of Gullies more useable without losing the technical aspects. Some ideas even include using the erosion in Garden of Gullies to form a half pipe style flow track. These areas would be the back bone to link key single track.

[Mod. moved to Northern Beaches Trail Advocacy]

Matt P's picture

Sounds like a positive direction. Would love to see some form of PROPER trail work addressed at Red Hill. Any chance that there could be some semi-organised track work days?

Will there be any steps taken to minimize access by 4wds?

Simon's picture

Hi Matt,

We are lining organized days up. Need to get through a bit more paper work first.

First steps will be getting Drop Zone and Garden of Gullies under control. Will definitely post up here when the time comes.

Simon

goatman's picture

A half pipe flow track would be amazing but wouldn't the motos just chew it up though?

muvro's picture

I'm loving the sound of all of this, and am excited to see where it will lead. Unfortunately, the moto riders that dont respect the trails and dig the deep trenches etc will have to be restricted from these areas. Don't know how, and it will be to the detrement of the moto guys that do respect the area. But if they can't be controlled, they have to be excluded.

I know of a few different trails that were getting maintained by keen MTBers, but the constant destruction caused by motos (some even deliberately destroyed parts right in front of said keen MTBers doing some work), has led to them not continuing thier good work.

I really hope that one day something can be done, because until something does, any money and time spent now, will be for nothing in a few months.

Having said that, it's great to see the work you are doing Simon, keep it up! Smiling

Tobi Wan's picture

Does this this mean that there is restricted access up there right now?

keep us all posted on whether there's any maintenance/work that we can get involved in

Simon's picture

If you see the guys up there say hi.

I will be sure to post when we can get involved with trail work.

MarkkyMarkk's picture

This is great news Simon, huge thanks.

Especially now, since my regular Lagoon loop ride has been interrupted by the works at Cromer golf Course till mid 2014 - I've been experimenting with new ways to complete a full loop via these Red Hill trails, but several sections are quite sketchy & unrideable.

One question though - will any of this affect access via the Sports Academy? You mentioned that some of the trail works' scope included the fire trail up to the turnstile - I've noticed some very scary security notice signs around those parts about Inclosed Lands.

Simon's picture

We will resolve the scary signs issue as part of our overall plan.

The scary signs are real. It's not that they don't like mountain bikers, it's just they have to meet their legal requirements regarding child protection. The Academy is an enclosed space with school groups there up to 24 hours a day. We are basically riding through a school that's in use. Not something you can do anywhere else.

One of the motivations in working with us is to resolve access, another is that riding is an Olympic sport they should be supporting, another is they see riding as a legitimate activity that can take place outside of their Inclosed Lands. We are also helping with the management of the tracks and environment.

The new proposed access point is up the Parkway further behind the sporting oval at the western end. There is a track/drain there at the moment outside of the fence. Still working out details. This will lead up a sealed road to Drop Zone. The climb up will hurt but is best option for now.

VTSS350's picture

Hi Simon, well done to all involved.

Can you tell me if there will be access from redhill to the narrabeen lakes track??

I know alot of people that live around Cromer/Dee Why that do a redhill loop and then ride back around the lakes.

MarkkyMarkk's picture

Hi Simon,

It would be great to have formal Red Hill access from the Parkway that doesn't involve traversing the Sports Academy land - despite the contradictory nature of the facility being partly on Crown Land with a Public Accessway on one hand but having to legally oblige to the child protection legislation on the other.

I guess we can live with the climb up the hill being tough - it always has been !

Simon's picture

Access from the Narrabeen circuit would likely be along the edge of the Parkway behind the barrier from the lake car park. Once we get to the Academy main entrance we need to resolve whether it continues along the Parkway or through the Academy's overflow car park.

Optimistically also hoping to link to Deep Creek and Power Lines etc by running bike bridges slung under the Parkway road bridges. This provides a safe crossing of the Parkway.

Lach's picture

Is Deep Creek any chance of becoming a recognised legal track or are you thinking of something to replace / stabilise Gutterball and link up with the fire trail?

Simon's picture

We're lobbying for all of the above.

Lach's picture

Will be great if that all comes together.

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