I just spoke with the Sproul State Forest Office in Renovo and they stated that the connector should be open by mid August the bridges are almost complete and final inspection of the bridges should be done in a couple weeks. The individual that I spoke with stated that trail construction will be done for the connector but he said that maintenance on the existing trail will not be done due to the lack of personnel.

Irish & I should be riding in that general area in August . Sure hope it's open by then .

I am not sure if they do or not it would be a great cause to volunteer for if there is alot of interest in doing that I could set something up

Ooopps , I edited my post Towerdriver .

I just got off the phone with Diane at the main office about volunteering . She said she thought it was a nice idea , but as far as she knows , all that needed done was final technical touches ( probably signs ) and the final inspection by the DCNR . Apperently nothing we could really help with .

Wow that's completely different than what I was told the individual I talked to said the trail itself wasn't even constructed lol I guess when its open its open thanks for the additional info

Typical Govt. offices . Talk to 3 different officials and get 3 different answers .

Thanks for the update though . That is great news.....

Hope it's for real this time! Thanks for the update, fellas.

what kind of riding is this area?
similar to tri county?

Great riding at both BS and SSRT.
SSRT takes a number of trips to truly grasp the vast layout. A lot of the best stuff is not mapped and the trails just go everywhere. We find something new every time we go. You can also ride to a lot of food joints and watering holes right off the trails.

I'd say Tri-co is more groomed and maintained and you always know where you are on the map.

I think the volunteer aspect was in regards to trail maintenance, which is exactly what I was thinking. There are more than enough riders who would gladly lend a hand to fix trails. (Hoping to do this at Michaux..either than or accidentally drive a skid loader down the trails)

Thanks for the update on the connector. I was wondering if it was ever going to get completed. It will be awesome to ride between SSRT and the 'Skillet.

Mike

Sure glad to hear about this connector. Being a member of SSRT I went to a club pig roast two years ago (I think). While talking to a friend about this link I jokingly said 'Too bad there wasn't a link between Bloody Skillet and Whiskey Springs'. My friend said there were some people working on that very thing.

At another time in another conversation I heard someone mention another link between Whisky Springs and Lyman Run near Coudersport. If this were true I would consider purchasing a piece of land near Bloody Skillet or between WS and Lyman Run where I would develop a place for riders to unload, eat, refuel, camp and purchase trail supplies.

For myself, I would turn a simple ride into a kind of expedition. What I mean is I would carry camping supplies and extra gas right with me, maybe in a trailer. If I wanted t do some exploring I would just disconnect the trailer and go. Or maybe I would set up periodic "base camps" from which I would explore the surrounding area. Don't know if this will ever actually happen, but its fun to dream about.

K&P

The Renovo ATV cruise for a cure was a test for an eventual connection between BS and WS. I talked with members of the Central Mountain ATV Assoc. and this is something that has been in the works for years now. Organizing this event was a litmus test for it.

I also heard the SSRT/BS connection is almost done or is now done and being signed. So it sounds like it will open soon.

Mike

I do know this, the bridge is done and they are cutting the trail now. Suppose to be up and running by the end of July.

I got word that the connector officially opens this Friday.

Mike

see a few images on the connector trail at: www.recrider.com

That connector has a heck of a hill to go up!

So thats what it looks like.... LOL!!! We were on some of it last Saturday but, Somehow we got lost at a turn and ended up back where we started.

You gotta follow the grassy path off the gravel roadway that leans like heck, it hooks around through the woods - gotta watch the signs, or lack thereof. I'm sure some idiot kids stole some.

The thing I find odd is that the connector is essentially one trail but it starts out green, then blue, then black and back to green... yikes.

The state needs to correct that grade along the road or I bet there will be a rollover with a SxS! I read in the Polaris Rangers owners manual that you are not to exceed a 15% grade up, down, or riding on a side hill. That grade seemed like it could have been more. I know the Can Am commander that I was following looked like the front tires were higher than the rear tires on that side hill along the road. On my Cat it wasn't much fun either, and I got experience with rolling stuff! BAH HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Yes the grade needs corrected and they need to add a switchback or 2 to that hill climb OR make another way around, not everyone is daring enough for what it is now.

I learned I REALLY need something bigger than a 400 4x4 thanks to that hill haha.

What a pansy.... ha ha ha ha

WOW NOW MY FEELINGS ARE HURT GARY! LOL!! I'm so sensitive! BAH HAHAHA HA HA HA!!!

So I guess the connector will be no good for kids huh?

Here's some pix of the new SS/BS connector.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103415404085028610287/SnowShoeBloodySkilletDay2Sept2nd2011#

https://picasaweb.google.com/103415404085028610287/SnowShoeBloodySkiletDay3Sept3Rd2011#

Some of my vids if you go to the link below and scroll down.

http://www.nyrocatv.com/forum.cgi?viewtopic=34975

Sweet 007, I couldnt differentiate all the picks on the connector and the trails, but if the kids have a problem on one paprt or the other in the spring, Ill just duct tape em to a tree, put a do not feed the rugrats sign on em and pick em up on the way back.

From what I saw there is only one spot they would really have a problem and that would probably be a mind over matter thing for them. Thanls Man!!!

Yeah bring the duct tape for sure cuz after all this rain..this weekend would be wild...guess it will be closed for hunting season after this weekend.

Yeah, until mid Jan. sometime.. Ranger Bows said to call out there arund Mid Nov to see when it reopens.

SSRT will be closed? or just the connector? i just checked their site and it doesn't mention anything aboout being closed.

No, Bloody Skillet and the connector will be closed. SSRT is all year. Sorry been hitting the Irish Whiskey, but Paddy's is the best!!!!

good, thanks! some of the Grizzly Riders group is headed up there the weekend of 11-5

Nice pictures of the Hogback Tunnel!

Mike

I just rode this yesterday. Although it was challenging, I didn't have a problem. I sure wouldn't want to meet someone on those hills and I wouldn't attempt it in the winter. With my skill level, I wouldn't consider it in a sxs. This was my first time at bloody skillet. I didn't see alot of it because I had to share my spare fuel with my buddy, but I liked what I saw. Will definitely go back.

YO 007 VERY NICE PICS , I CANT WAIT TILL NEXT WEEKEND TO CHECK IT OUT!!!!!

Yo Goods, since you haven't busted the Brute are you trying to get it impounded?
This weekend is the last weekend for state trails. The connector will be closed on your weekend. If you go for it, roll the video- I'd like to see a ranger chase up that hillclimb.

P.S. Great videos, Nuck!

GOOD ONE, I DIDNT NKOW..... GUESS WE'LL BE DOING SSRT ONLY THEN.

Just to let people know my dad and I removed alot of loose rocks that were on the steep hill on the bloody skillet side of the connector I hope it helps

That is really cool of you guys to take the time to help the wussys out that don't understand what atving is.(all terrian vehicle) They just gotta understand its not all about riding trails like the railroad bed at ssrt. Your in the fricken mountains. Dncr was nice enough to connect these trails so you can pass legally. People are only gonna realize that when they close the trail on us like alot of other cool places that were closed down!

Wow towerdriver I only read your FRUSTRATED post after posting this. Thats what i'm talking about!

Next time I am up there I will give it a shot on my SXS and I'll let you know how difficult or not it was. I am 62" wide so it should be a good test