Poto: Hewen's Creek

[hotspurr]

Hi KCNADO,

Hewen's Creek is a nice ride that puts a premium on bike handling (turning) but not on climbing or descending. The Park is located on an old glacial lake bed and there is very little terrain relief. On the other hand, it is hardly used and so not crowded and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen. Several different types of ecosystem are included on the trail: lowland woods, old field succession, pondside, etc. Some representative photos of the trail at: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek If you like to fish, bring a rod as the pond has some large bluegill.
For a taste of things to come you could pair a ride at Hewen's Creek with one on the new trail that is being constructed at Rolling Hills Park just 1/2 mile away. You can read about this trail at: <http://www.mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=89888&start=15> and see some pictures of it via a link on the latest post. Very different trail, will be more like Maybury.
You could make it a grand slam by also visiting nearby Olson park in northeast Ann Arbor, a nice intermediate level park.
If you try Hewen's Creek I can recommend the Sidetrack Tap in nearby Ypislanti as a good place for a post-ride burger and a beer.

Cheers, Norm (Ann Arbor)

[bhollen666]

Thanks go out to Norm today for cutting down the widowmaker in the first wooded section. Much easier and safer through there now.

bhollen666 ( 8^D)>----
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[bhollen666]

Weed whacked the first field section that was just about choked closed with weeds. I didn't do the whole field section, just the part that was really bad, essentially down to the southern-most tip of that section. I made sure to rake up all the chopped up stuff so that we are suffering from punctures. After removing a couple of dead raccoons from Hitchingham I entered the trail and rode the top end of the eastern loop and the rest of the trail. Believe me when I write that it was a "golden" trail through all of the field sections! The golden rod is in full bloom and face height along the trail. My black hoodie was covered with yellow pollen from all the impacts! But the trail was in decent shape, and it looks good too, except for the newly mowed sections that just look "dead." Passed a couple of riders riding the last wooded section in the wrong direction. This afternoon when I rode through I passed a family riding on the same hill in the right direction. I'm glad to see that everyone's enjoying the trail.

bhollen666 ( 8^D)>----
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[bhollen666]

Mowed all the field sections today in an attempt to open it up again from the overhanging goldenrod, purple wildflowers, dead white clover and various thorny things. Rode through it and it seems to ride pretty nice. Please watch out for all of the apples in the second wooded section. I'll try to get a rake in there soon, but in the meantime you'll get some handling practice from all of the apples covering the trail. Watch for deer that frequent this section to eat the apples. I also found a groundhog on the trail today in the first field section. Lots of wildlife on the trail lately.

bhollen666 ( 8^D)>----
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[bhollen666]

Trail a little wet after all the rain the last few days, but still in pretty decent shape. Big tree down in the wooded section to the north of the pond. I was able to clear under it so we can walk under it, but it'll have to be chainsawed out.

@Sunday: I rode through the trail today and found it a little damp but a decent ride. Even my new jacket/windbreaker didn't get ripped through the trail, so it's pretty much free from thorns.

bhollen666 ( 8^D)>----
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[bhollen666]

The widow maker is gone thanks to Norm and his chain saw. Wooded sections of trail are now all leaf covered, which might be a little slippery when they are wet. Trail is completely open and ready to ride. Enjoy the fall colors.

bhollen666
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[bhollen666]

Nice fall colors on the ride through HCP today. The wooded sections of the trail are all leaf covered and the second wooded section is a little muddy again with all the rain. Put up an info box at the trail with some maps and contact information for any new riders or visitors to the park.

bhollen666
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[bill_m]

Great work Bob!

[bhollen666]

The info box has a handful of maps inside it. I'll try to keep it stocked in case you are new to the trail.

bhollen666
Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek

[fizgig]

I checked this out last week http://www.flickr.com/photos/42296454@N ... 622916112/

needs to be ridden in a bit and the trees need to grow a bit, but it should be a great beginner trail. Should have arranged to meet someone out there, I tooled around on the bumpy two track for a while before I found the trail.

[bhollen666]

Walked through the trail today to make sure that the winds from the last few days didn't cause any problems. I only had to clear out one small tree that blew over right before entering the northern woods (marker L) plus a handful of blown down dead branches in the loop following the pond trail. I went through and marked the trail with letters on yellow flags and updated the map to show the positions along the trail.

Current Condition(s):

• The first field section (between marker B and C) is really soggy and under water in some southern places. Be careful there on some of the turns
• The second wooded section (between marker C and D) is muddy again as you make your way toward the junction with the eastern loop
• All the wooded sections are covered with leaves and can be slick in the turns

Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek
Trail Map: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iW ... directlink

[bhollen666]

Current Condition(s):

• All wooded sections of the trail are now raked
• The field section between marker B and C has dried out really well over the last week
• The wooded section between marker C and D has also dried out very well and is a good ride.

Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek
Trail Map: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iW ... directlink

[pneumatico]

Just got done riding this trail for the first time, lots of fun! Trail surface is in great shape. I was expecting it to be a lot bumpier, from what I read on here, no problem going high speed on my rigid 26er. 2 other riders were finishing up as I arrived, 3 fisherman at the pond and a couple with about 5 dogs hiking the wide field trails on my 3rd lap. I'll definitely take my beginner wife here to practice on all the turns, a great spot to learn without being overwhelmed with big stuff!
Thanks so much for all the hard work that was put into this trail!!

[bhollen666]

Hiked through the trail Saturday morning and found that it was frozen solid, even the wooded section from marker C to D where it is normally a mud puddle. Bundle up and hit it! It should be a good ride.

Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek
Trail Map: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iW ... directlink

[bhollen666]

Wow! A muddy mess this weekend with the snow melt. I recommend continuing to avoid it, which by the lack of tire tracks seems to be what's happening anyway.

Email: BikeHewensCreek@gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BikeHewensCreek
Trail Map: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iW ... directlink