Wompatuck conditions?

[Longshanks]

Anyone ride Wompy within the past few days? Is there snow/ice cover?

[oddlo]

I was there on 19th on the left side of the park. Basically shear ice. Don't know about the right side of the park but I bet basicaly the same.

[Geoff G.]

yeah most of it is icy/crusty snow. It's not as bad as fresh stuff. A lot more fast rolling. The crusty stuff is do-able without studs, but the ice would probably need studs.

[Longshanks]

Thanks.

[AA]

any south shore folks know the current wompy conditions? I'm hoping to get some riding in this weekend.

[agor]

I gaurantee its a mud pit on the right side as it has been warm lately. If it continues to get cold conditions may harden up to give a nice a ride. Another question: does wompy allow year round riding? As the Fells is closed I am looking for my closest options.

[AA]

wompy is a state park and is open year round, forcast for the weekend is cold so I'm sure it will be frozen

[wannabee]

being a 'state park' or not, doesn't determine if the trails are open or not.
aren't the blue hills a 'state park' run by 'state' DCR? and it is closed for a certain period of time.
wompatuck seems to drain that much better and the damage isn't as severe because of that.
if it's muddy, don't ride it.
if it's frozen hard, go for it.
if it's crystallized (dirt lifted on top of ice), avoid it.
FYI, the local Wompatuck ranger, Steve, does have email availability, and can report on what he finds as he rides around the place. I think that he'd be more than glad to help you out. (781-749-7160 is the park's main phone)

[AA]

being a 'state park' or not, doesn't determine if the trails are open or not.
aren't the blue hills a 'state park' run by 'state' DCR? and it is closed for a certain period of time.
wompatuck seems to drain that much better and the damage isn't as severe because of that.
if it's muddy, don't ride it.
if it's frozen hard, go for it.
if it's crystallized (dirt lifted on top of ice), avoid it.
FYI, the local Wompatuck ranger, Steve, does have email availability, and can report on what he finds as he rides around the place. I think that he'd be more than glad to help you out. (781-749-7160 is the park's main phone)



dont worry I know when I should and shouldnt ride the trails ::)

It seems to me the old MDC properties around boston (blue hills, and the fells come to mind) have the Jan 1 to april 15 closures. Many state parks have year round use.

details here...

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/listing.htm

I guess I can call the ranger and ask if there is any snow on the trails, I'm just curious if anyone knows 1st hand if the trails are clear of ice/snow in that neck of the woods.

[EricM3]

aren't the blue hills a 'state park' run by 'state' DCR? and it is closed for a certain period of time.
wompatuck seems to drain that much better and the damage isn't as severe because of that.
if it's muddy, don't ride it.


Blue Hills is not a State Park, it is a Reservation managed by the DCR, formerly MDC. Not sure of the exact distinction, but there is a difference between A state Park, A DCR Reservation and a State Forest. Bill Boles would know.

Having ridden in the Blue Hills and Wompatuck for more than 10 years now, I would say that Blue Hills is by far the best draining trail network around, especially considering how hilly it is.

Wompatuck, on the other hand, always seemed to have more mud and puddles year round.

The Blue Hills and other DCR trail closures were arbitrarily chosen dates, as the ideal trail closure dates should be March 1 thru Mid April. Jan and Feb the trails are almost always frozen solid.

[wannabee]

I have heard a rumor hereabouts, that the terminology 'State Forest' is no more. The 'forests' are being renamed 'State Parks'.
Also, many of the 'State Parks/Forests' are under the control of DCR, if not all. DCR also controls/maintaines roadways and sidewalks, campsites, a sailing vessel, a snow mobile shop, and a few other things. Info on DCR controlled parks/forests can be found on their website.
Wompatuck trail conditions will be a viewable subject area on the new/soon to be up and running friends of wompatuck website.

[Geoff G.]

I was hoping to get out to wompy this weekend, and huck some gnar, but I've been quite sick. Wompy is gets very muddy in the spring, and some trail sections get submurged, but if you stay on higher trails it can still be good early in the season.

[SteveC]

Just to set the thread back on the rails...............
Here's a copy of my Wompy Trail Report on Feb 6th.
Fairly old news given the current weather :P the XC skis are coming out!

I rode Wompy today. Or should I say 'Swompy'.
the wet spots are real wet. There's actually nothing dry about it.
It's like mud season already. Weather was nice, until I got my feet
wet too early in the ride.....still managed to ride 10 miles.....
There are ALOT of deadfalls!! Lot's of work to do, soon
I'm hoping for snow at this point, to do some XC skiing. Otherwise, I
guess it will be a trip to the cape on monday mornings.......
SC

[SteveC]

I was hoping to get out to wompy this weekend, and huck some gnar, but I've been quite sick. Wompy is gets very muddy in the spring, and some trail sections get submurged, but if you stay on higher trails it can still be good early in the season.

Sorry for my ignorance. It sounds like a cool thing to do, although I may be past my prime to go 'huck some gnar'??? ::)
Whats the official definition?
SC