ARCADIA TRAIL UPDATE

Was out this past Sunday morning hiking over in the Bliven and John B. Hudson Trail area and still lots of snow to deal with. Bliven trail being mostly in the sun had anywhere from 3-8 inches of wet slushly snow. At the top took the left down to John B. Hudson, which I followed back out to Rt. 165. As it gets much more shade during the day the snow was not nearly as wet as Bliven. Still had a good several inches of snow though.

This week has temps. in the 30's-40's and maybe in the 50's by this week. Will need an extended warming trend to really make much of a dent in the snowpack. And then will have to let the trails have a chance to dry out before riding. As usual the south side tends to dry out quicker so maybe think about riding the end of the month???

REMINDER: Orange is no longer required until next October.

see ya

Mike

[Sci Teach]

How much snow did the area get yesterday? Do you think that it would be worth the 3 hour drive for a possible ride this weekend (sunday?) ?

Arcadia picked up about 1-2 inches from the last snowfall. I've been out hiking the last few days and have found no trails that are rideable yet. Still way too much snow cover. Also with the warmer temps for Sunday/Monday snow will be very soft and even harder to manage.

Mike

Was in the Bald Hill Trail/Dovecrest/Arcadia Trail area yesterday and here is what I found:

The good news is that a sh*tload of snow has melted as a result of the recent warm weather. The bad news is most trails now have a ribbon of ice covering them. Its not straight ice all the way but still lots of ice. I think there is enough crunchy snow on the sides of the trail to try for a ride this afternoon. If you have studded tires it would be a piece of cake. Not sure how much more melting we will get this week. Just make sure that when we finally get down to dirt that you give it a chance to dry out before riding. I know everyone is anxious to get out as I am. Reminder: the south side tends to dry out before the north side. Will post tomorrow how the ride went. ???

Happy Trails,

Mike

[woody]

Look forward to your trail conditions post. I suppose only the fire roads are usable at this point. Keep us posted . Need to ride soon.

Recap from yesterdays ride: Started on the south side directly across from the white church (lots of cars parked at white church: more on that later) . When up a short way on Bald Hill Trail and took first left (dovecrest trail goes to the right). I believe this is consider part of Mt. Tom Trail. Mostly ice in the middle of the trail with a bit of snow on either side. Maybe because the temps. were around 50 the ice softened up a bit so it really wasn;'t that slippery (no studded tires here!). Very ridable. Crossed over 165 and did John B. Hudson back to Tripp Trail (I think thats the name). A bit wet but not bad at all. Followed Tripp Trail and turned left onto Austin Farm Road. Still very rideable. Checked both loops around Breakheart Pond and same conditions with the ice but all rideable. Continued on Austin Farm Road to Frostly Hollow Rd. intersection. Looking down Frosty Hollow Road it became obvious why cars were parked at white church. They belong to the people that work at Camp-E-Huntee. Frosty Hollow was a complete mudpit. I'm talking foot deep ruts and mud everywhere. Anyway, took the powerline trail that runs next to Frosty Hollow and this was also rideable, except that it had quite a bit more wet snow on top making it hard to continue in a straight line. Followed back to Frosty Hollow crossed main bridge and turned left at kids pond. Took singletrack back up to John B Hudson/Tripp Trail. Followed Tripp trail back out to road. All rideable. Did check the main parking lot on Brook Trail and it is ok also.

Overall the conditions were good all things considered. Some of the ice you need to be carefull on. A couple of grommets on dirt bikes left some nice deep tire tracks here and there. Rain coming in for late Thursday into Friday then warming for the weekend. Watch out for soft trail conditions as the melting continues. Enjoy!

Happy Trails,

Mike

Another update from yesterdays post: Did basically the same ride except tried out Breakheart, which was suprisingly good. Some really slippery spots here and there but good overall. Took the left onto shelter at the split (this is riding away from Breakheart Pond). Shelter was very soft and should not be ridden. Cut through the midway area which was also soft. Then onto Brook Trail and again very soft. Once past the gate and back to the main lot the road was ok.

The bad news: Rain coming in for tonite and half of Friday. I really think that with the rain and warming temps for the weekend much of the remaining ice will continue to melt, which is good, however, I'm guessing that all that melting will really cause trail conditions to be too soft for riding until maybe the last weekend of the month. What I'm afraid of is that hordes of frustrated riders will come out this weekend and really do more harm than good. Maybe the trails will be ok, but in my opinion I think its better to give them another week. See ya,

MIke :-\

Couldn't resist so went out and rode early Sunday morning. Much too my suprise the trails were downright dry for the most part. A wet spot here and there but overall I was amazed at the conditions. Didn't ride all that long due to some knee soreness, however, every trail I tried was decent and not a problem. The only trail I would avoid is John. B Hudson, which was quite wet and had lots of tire tracks left over from yesterday. Enjoy!!

Great to be back on the dirt,

Mike ;D