LCHT 1/12/13 ?

[clearcreek]

Hello All,

An occasional lurker here over the years, I've been contemplating a ride on the LCHT Saturday 1/12/13 if the norain forcast holds. I was wondering whether recent rains and warm weather may have softened the tread too much? I don't want to ride if the trail might be squishy and susceptible to damage. Or are there just some areas I need to avoid by staying on the gravel rds? Lastly, should I be able to cross the metal bridge at current water levels. Water is up a bit here in Highlands where I live due to all the rain we've had lately.

Thanks so much for any local input,

Shane

[brianW]

I rode it back in June in very wet conditions. One of the local riders was asked about it. His reply was if the equestrians did not know we had a group ride they would be tearing it up.

[emac]

I am a local rider...I rode LCHT Sunday and Tuesday. We cleared several trees and the inner loop is clear. I did not go up to Fell or down to the metal bridge. We have had some horse traffic that has messed up a few spots (typical this time of year), but overall the trail is very good. We got some rain today, saturday should be ok, Sunday would be better.

I dont know how familiar you are with the trail, but if I might suggest a route. If you park at Fell: Ride the trail and go right at the Kiosk. Dont go left across the field. Take this trail across the gravel road and when you come to the fork in the trail go left. That will take you all the way to Memorial Bridge. Continue over bridge and enter trail on the right. Take this all the across a gravel road and you will come to a fork in the trail. Left goes down to the metal bridge (2miles). Do it as an out and back. Continue down the trail, as you were doing crossing the railroad tracks and a short ride on gravel. The trail will loop all the way around again to Fell. Total should be 26 miles. You can easily change things up for less mileage.

It appears our site is down (greenwoodmtb.com) but we used to have a downloadable map. If I can help you out let me know.

emccallumatembarqmail.com

ernest

[jride]

Our Greenwood MTB web site is down now, but ashby is trying to get it back up and going.
Our group rides are usually sunday @2 and tues and thus @ 6.
if we know someone is coming from out of town we will do a earlier ride sat or sun.
wont know till tomorrow how dry it will be sunday.
I will update trail cond tomorrow.

jeff

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[clearcreek]

Thanks for the info everyone. LCHT has been one of my favorite destinations for a long while. Was just planning to do a little bit more exploring and plane old bushwhacking from the trail to some of the close by FS rds. I think it will be a good day for me.

Shane

[Angela]

Here is the temporary Greenwood MTB website, contains lots of good info!

www.greenwoodmtb.us/

[jagayers]

What is a better choice for riding tommorrow, Hickory Knob or LCHT given the rain we got last night and are getting today? Or would it be better to wait untill Saturday/Sunday/Monday. I have the day off and I don't want to waste it.

[pat656]

The upstate is having its fourth day of relentless rain, and have already had close to an inch today, don't know if greenwood has been hit as hard but you might want to stay south until at least Sunday

[jagayers]

Is anyone game for LCHT tommorrow? I have been wanting to ride this, but don't want to tackle this solo my first time. Where would be the best place to park especially if I don't want to tackle ? I would be driving up from Augusta.

Or would it still be too wet to ride? My backup plan is Hickory Knob [also never rode this and its on my list]. I want to ride all the trails on the back of my SORBA CSRA jersey.

[dsquaredmsquared]

Don't know if you want to wait, but the February Explore the Trail Ride is at HKSP (01/02/13; 1:30PM) and in June the ride is at LCHT (06/01/13). The Explore the Trail Rides are the first Saturday or Sunday of the month and dates/locations will be posted on the Google calendar, once our homepage is back up.

One purpose of the Explore the Trail Rides is to let people ride new trails, with ride leaders that know the trail well.