Trail conditions ? 8/20/2010

[neal1975]

Anyone know how the trails are looking today? We have had a lot of rain this week

[dsquaredmsquared]

If you have to ask, I probably wouldn't ride.

[neal1975]

Really, and why is that?

[dsquaredmsquared]

SorbaCSRA home page says FATS is wet, there was a recent thread about people riding FATS when wet, and it rained several afternoons this week. Pretty good chance FATS is still wet.

Not mad or sensitive, just encouraging folks to try some other trails this weekend.

[Mark Y]

Neal, my .02 is that since you asked about it you were obviously sensitive and aware of the need to stay away when wet. If you suspect it might be wet, it probably is; so good time to take a pass and put some wheels on the other trails that sorely need the traffic.
I wish everyone would think like you did and question whether or not it is a good idea to ride.

[neal1975]

Well thats why i asked. I didnt know whether it was wet or not, despite the rain. sometimes it rains here, and you go out there and the ground is dry.

If it IS wet i try not to ride it, i know it is bad for the trail. But if its too wet to ride, then it should be closed and the site should have it marked as CLOSED.

amiright?

[Mark Y]

From another thread a couple of days ago: "Hundreds are riding it when it's wet too. That is the point of this thread. To remind folks to not be part of the hundreds. Go ride somewhere else that won't see a hundred riders in a week or a month. WINE CREEK NEEDS RIDERS, BIGTIME.

FATS sees hundreds of riders in a day....alot of days. "

It is hard to close the trails on a moment's notice, it is usually for sustained wetness in winter/spring months. During the times it is marginal, all trails depend on responsible riders to make good decisions on whether to ride or not. The soil composition and sheer traffic at FATS make it unable to handle water like HKSP and some of the other sandier trails. Some people just don't know any better and others don't care, so again; if you are concerned enough to wonder if it is the right thing to ride somewhere else, your judgement that FATS might be better stayed away from is good.

[jtaylor]

neal- one of the problems is that none of us has the control of the trail- it is the Forest Service. And they are not going to be able to react quickly.

[seenvic]

Aug 21, 2010 16:13:37 GMT -5 neal1975 said:

Well thats why i asked. I didnt know whether it was wet or not, despite the rain. sometimes it rains here, and you go out there and the ground is dry.

If it IS wet i try not to ride it, i know it is bad for the trail. But if its too wet to ride, then it should be closed and the site should have it marked as CLOSED.

amiright?

Not going to argue with you. Perhaps you are right. And in the winter months we tend to do just as you say. I've read where "FATS is closed more than it is open". And that has been true in some winter months in the past. But we just don't full on close FATS during the spring/fall/summer unless it is just dire circumstance.

In the summer, it usually only takes 24-36 hours for FATS to be ok to ride after a good rain. Opening and closing it in these short intervals is a PITA. Gotta let the USFS know, let the web master know, get the signs up in both lots and take them down. Answer calls from people at the trailhead wondering why it's closed. During the summer it's just easier to leave it open and convince yourself that more people are getting it and fewer are riding it during the 24-36 hours of soft tread. It is a numbers thing and I am not sure where the tipping point is.

In the winter time, we close it if it is going to become a mess. This is done on a volunteer basis, so you get what you pay for. All that said, the conditions the last few weeks may have warrented a summertime closure for certain days. It is a tough call.

[Mark Y]

Aug 22, 2010 20:08:58 GMT -5 seenvic said:

During the summer it's just easier to leave it open and convince yourself that more people are getting it and fewer are riding it during the 24-36 hours of soft tread.

Which prompts the "if you have to ask" statement. With the availability of 100 other miles of riding in the area besides FATS, responsible riders will go elsewhere if there is doubt. Those that care will sacrifice for those that don't, but isn't that the norm?

[ted]

Sounds like our old friend "cleaning drains and clearing the duff from the lower part of the trail" is knocking on the door.
Oh, and it's evil anti-natural sibling "armoring the low spots".

[seenvic]

Aug 24, 2010 7:21:56 GMT -5 ted said:

I think y'all are overestimating the amount of people that currently ride FATS. (hundreds = at least more than 200)
I'd have to guess that as of late, on the weekends which are the busiest, at most are 30-40.

Sounds like our old friend "cleaning drains and clearing the duff from the lower part of the trail" is knocking on the door.
Oh, and it's evil anti-natural sibling "armoring the low spots".

Is it me or is FATS the most sensitive "modern built" trail on the Earth or what?

I see more than 30-40 cars there at a time on the weekends.

[ted]

Like I said...

Sounds like our old friend "cleaning drains and clearing the duff from the lower part of the trail" is knocking on the door.
Oh, and it's evil anti-natural sibling "armoring the low spots".

[seenvic]

Aug 24, 2010 7:37:21 GMT -5 ted said:

Like I said...

Sounds like our old friend "cleaning drains and clearing the duff from the lower part of the trail" is knocking on the door.
Oh, and it's evil anti-natural sibling "armoring the low spots".

No doubt. With 35 miles of trail, this will never go away.