Are keyes loop and stone row @ Great Brook open?

[beardedweirdie]

I seem to remember stone row being roped off at some point during the winter. Does anybody know if this going to happen this year?

Kris

btw - if anybody is going to be riding in that neck of the woods next week the 24/25/26 give a shout.

[AA]

Kris,

There are trail closures at Great Brook once there is a certain amount of snow on the ground. The state leases the property to a family that runs a xc ski touring center. If the touring center is open you need a trail pass and skis to get to those trailheads (no walking, bikes, horses etc).

AA

It hasn'nt been wildly advertised, but the Greater Boston chapter helped to purchace a snowmobile for Great Brook Farm with the intention that it be used by the ranger there to pack the bike trails into ice.
Perhaps t.grimble could get the particulars on when this will begin and which trails will be groomed.

[AA]

So that is what the snowmobile is for. It does seem to me that it would be hard to get to Keyes loop and Stone Row around the XC trails. Hopefully Tom will read the thread and offer some insight.

I'll send him a PM.

[CouchingTiger]

A little birdy told me that the new snowmachine for Ray got the axe by the man. No dice, too bad.

-Couch

[T Grimble]

AA is correct about the land being leased out for cross country skiing. The person who runs the cross country ski operation is a NEMBA member and always helps with trail maintenance. I am pretty sure that Stone row and Keyes loop are not groomed because they are way too narrow for the grooming machine but the trails leading to them are groomed I think. I will try to get some better info. The prime riding durring the winter months is across the road. There was discussion about a snowmobile for the park to patrol non ski trails. This would served to help pack the trails which would benefit bikes. The original source for funding is not going to pan out but there is still interest on the part of the park to make this purchase. I don't know if it will happen this year but if I hear anything I will let you know.

[beardedweirdie]

This means I can ride the whole park when the ski center is closed because of lack of snow.

If the center is open, keep off of the groomed trails (of which there's probably a map at the ski center.)

Kris