Journal photo/ Bob Thayer
A fallen pine covers a snowmobile trail in the Brook Trail area, in the heart of Arcadia.
RICHMOND, R.I. -- While remnants of the powerful northeaster from two weekends ago shrink from Main Street sidewalks, many South County snow trails and park roads remain littered with fallen tree branches.
The obstacles have frustrated some winter weather enthusiasts and kept a three-man clean-up crew busy in the Arcadia Management Area. Since the storm they've cleared about 20 miles of trails and dirt roads popular for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, said state forester Jay Aron.
"The storm caused a lot of tree damage," said Aron as he walked a portion of Brook Trail in Arcadia that had been recently cleared of fallen conifers. "Our guys have been working hard to clear the trails. If they weren't passable, I'm sure I'd be hearing about it."
Bruce Payton, supervising forester at the George Washington Management Area, in Burrillville, said while the northern part of the state received more snow, it was a lighter snow -- and it fell on a region that has more hardwoods that are less likely to snap.
"There are no leaves on those trees to hold the snow and the wind blew right through them," Payton said.