Rain Closure Alternatives?

[stumpbumper]

I live far enough from FATS to make a one-day trip possible but not a lot of fun so my plan is to camp at Petersburg and do an entire weekend. Realizing that FATS can be closed at anytime due to rain, I am wondering if there are any alternate trails in the area that would still be rideable.

Some of the trails here in Upstate SC drain and dry rather quickly and it takes a lot of rain to prohibit riding them due to damage. Paris Mountain is a good example. I rode Save The Trails Challenge at DuPont last year and was amazed at how quickly the trails there were drying out immediately after a monsoon.

Even when trails have no open/close policy I prefer not to ride them when wet enough to cause damage so my question is this. If I were to drive all the way to Petersburg only to get rained on for the weekend, are there any alternate trails in the area that I could/should ride in lieu of FATS? What about Bartram and some of the other trails that appear to connect with it?

[seenvic]

We don't close FATS much this time of year. We just post that it is wet and to ride elsewhere. If enough folks ride FATS anyway, we will start closing it 12 months a year or simply give up and not close it at all.

All of our trails should be good to go for you, except the newest section of Bartram. Unfortunately, this is right where you are camping. But the new section of Bartram should be avoided when wet as it brand new and still setting up.

You have a really good attitude and I wish more folks would police themselves as well as you do. It is difficult sometimes to not reason that it is only me and how much damage can I do. Our problem is that FATS can draw hundreds of "just me" riders. Who collectively are the problem if the tread is soft/wet.

Specifically, I'd ride Modoc, Turkey Creek, Old Bartram, Keg Creek and or the Long Cane Horse Trail if you think FATS will be too soft to ride. None of these draw a critical mass of riders who collectively reach a tipping point of too much traffic if wet.

All that said, if it is raining cats and dogs.....go home and don't ride. But I don't need to tell you that.

[stumpbumper]

Many thanks for the information. I have ridden FATS only one time before and only Brown Wave and Skinny on that day so I am looking forward to getting back there.

A wonderful place and obviously the result of a lot of hard work.