02/07/05 Arcadia Update

[skid quo pro]

Just got back from checking trails conditions and my guess is that the singletrack won't be ridable for at least a couple of weeks unless there some serious melting before then. Checked Bald Hilll Trail. Mt. Tom Trail and Arcadia Trail and snow depths ranged from 4 to 8 inches. Also checked John B Hudson and Trip Trail with Trip Trail being in the best shape since the snowmobiles have packed it down pretty well.

Not sure of the long range weather forecast but I believe colder temps are due by the end of this week. Hang in there...

Skid

[bdee]

Pretty rideable on the North side wherever people have hiked in. Some stuff was a little sketchy and it's a lot of work. BR is a little worse than Arcadia. Couple of warm sunny days and who knows it could be good sooner than you think (of course then it'll be a mudfest :P).

[skid quo pro]

Rode early Sunday morning temp. around 31 degrees. Frosty Hollow road was fine. Turned right at the kids pond and rode up and then turned left onto Tripp Trail (I thinK thats the name) and followed that all the way to Austing Farm Road. Turned left heading back to Breakheart Pond. 1 Person out ice-fishing. Followed the around the left side of Breakheart and a bit icey but not too bad. Jumped on Breakheart Trail and rode it all the way taking the Shelter Cutt-off back to Austin Farm Road. Austin Farm Road was a sheet of ice! Cut through the midway area which wasn't bad. The other end was icey again before back out onto Brook Trail and then back to the main lot.

Overall is was get to be back on the bike, however, I wish I had studded tires. In another couple of days you might not need them, however, I really missed them this morning. Not many people out. Less than a half dozen or so. The single-track is still a tough call.

Skid ;)

[bdee]

Yeah, the ride down Austin Farm Rd yesterday was dicey! I wished I had my studs as I was trying not to touch the brakes on the way down.

[skid quo pro]

Things are almost back to normal. Rode Friday afternoon with temp around 25 degrees or so. Started at the check station next to Wood River. (Note: Some brainic torched the composting toliet there and it looks like it was a total loss. Anyway went up Barber Trail which was about half ice and half clear then went left up Uncle Russell (wet and soft midway up), did a bunch of trails and then heading across 165 to Mt. Tom and looped back to the parking lot. Trails had minimal snow cover and most were quite firm. Mt. Tom is always a hoot. The last section of mt. Tom back to the lot had quite a bit of ice still. Sunday should be cold with some snow coming in late that nite into Monday. Maybe a mix down this way?

Enjoy,

Skid ;D

[skid quo pro]

Well things were clear on Sunday. Anyway went hiking Tuesday afternoon over on the south side around the Browning Mill Pond Area. About 2-4 inches on the trails. And now they are calling for another 2-6 inches tonite! Anyway unless we get more than a couple of inches I'm going to try and ride tomorrow afternoon and see how it goes. Will post again then.

Skid