Hey Jeff,
I went out to IC yesterday and walked through on the proposed section, starting at the north campground and heading south. Seems like every time I walk through I see a new twist to possible route. Part of the proposed route is in an area that was engulfed in a fire last fall/winter just before the start of deer season. You can really see the contours and rock formations that may usually be covered with leaf growth, etc...
I walked all the way up and short cutted over to my section and walked through and threw off debris. I was surprised how little debris there was for the most part. We've had some wicked winds this winter. The deer have been busy traversing the trail corridor and burning in the tread. Just reminds me why you have to build trail next to the edge with out slope. If you don't the tread will eventually end up with a valley from all the game traffic. All you have to do is examine the trail where we have benched it vs. where we just removed vegetation with a weedeater, etc... The tread dries faster in areas where the top layer of mineral soil is removed. Of course, much of that depends on the type of soil. Up here where we have very erosive soils, you really have to plan the corridor well and make sure you are building next to the edge with good outslope for drainage and use lots of grade reversals, etc..
The trail is still muddy from rain this week and freeze-thaw cycle. The creeks are running and are very tranquil. The new section is really going to highlite those creeks.
Can't wait till things start drying up over here.