|
Post by dsquaredmsquared on Aug 22, 2015 14:36:44 GMT -5
If you were out at FATS this morning, the chainsaws you heard were our volunteer sawyers on day two of training for USFS Certification. Great group of volunteers, a fantastic instructor, and we got a lot done before the skies opened up in the afternoon. Below, the instructor felling the first tree this morning.
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Aug 31, 2015 12:06:55 GMT -5
The CSRA received between 3 and 5 inches of rain yesterday (there was flooding many places) so please do not ride the FATS until we have a scout take a look at the trails and determine the impact.
The scout will be out on the south loops tomorrow and will report back, as soon as we have a report it will be posted.
Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 2, 2015 11:57:04 GMT -5
All the loops at FATS should be okay to ride by this afternoon except lower Skinny. That trail needs another day according to the report from our scouts. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 3, 2015 11:44:17 GMT -5
Be aware that the deluge last Sunday has eroded various sections of the trail. I am aware of eroded sections on Big Rock traveling CCW for about the first 1/2 mile of trail out of the parking lot - the rest of the trail received a lot of rain so sand deposits in some of the dips but otherwise Big Rock is okay.
There are also eroded sections on lower Skinny as well. Brown Wave should be okay - we'll update as we get more information.
Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 22, 2015 11:22:24 GMT -5
FATS received a short period of rain yesterday followed by rain from app 5:30 until 9:30am. The trails are too wet to ride and the drying out will be slightly delayed by the overcast skies and cooler temps. Please do not ride these trails for the next day or so. We will report as trail conditions improve. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 25, 2015 16:05:28 GMT -5
FATS has received over 24hrs of steady rain between Thursday morning and Friday. Please do not ride the wet trails. Hopefully the rain has passed and the trails will began to dry out but cooler temps and overcast skies will slow that process. Stay tuned for updates. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 25, 2015 21:22:42 GMT -5
Scout report - trail tread very wet, areas with standing water in the trails, mud - if we don't receive additional rain, please wait until at least Sunday before riding these trails!
Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 29, 2015 6:43:03 GMT -5
It is continuing to drizzle as this front pushes up from the south, please do not ride the trails when they are wet!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 29, 2015 6:45:02 GMT -5
FYI: Weather and government shutdown permitting, there will be a large trail running race at FATS this Sunday, October 4th. If you don't want to ride with a lot of foot traffic, we encourage you to go somewhere else on Sunday. For more information about the race, including race route at FATS, follow the link: FATS 50K
|
|
|
Post by gbrink on Sept 29, 2015 12:06:02 GMT -5
The running race on Sunday does not appear to affect Tower and Big Rock, right? And if the government shuts down, does that affect whether FATS is open? I'm thinking of coming from out of town for a couple days of riding on Friday and Saturday and possibly Sunday. Thanks
|
|
|
Post by dsquaredmsquared on Sept 29, 2015 16:21:55 GMT -5
The running race on Sunday does not appear to affect Tower and Big Rock, right? And if the government shuts down, does that affect whether FATS is open? I'm thinking of coming from out of town for a couple days of riding on Friday and Saturday and possibly Sunday. Thanks If you are driving any distance to get to FATS, you may want to consider another weekend since we've had nearly a week of overcast skies, drizzle, and rain. Aside from damaging the trail, FATS is not fun to ride when wet. Yes, the trail running race on Sunday is on the four lower loops, which will remain open to other users during the race. That said, the trail might get crowded in spots. Lastly, during the last government shutdown, and before the USFS installed parking lot gates, the USFS closed FATS. I don't remember the rationale exactly, but seem to recall that if USFS managed property has facilities (i.e., trash, toilet) that can't be monitored during a shutdown, the facility gets closed.
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Sept 30, 2015 18:24:49 GMT -5
Trails at FATS are okay to ride if we do not get anymore rain.
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Oct 2, 2015 12:14:43 GMT -5
Predictions are for heavy rain (3 to 5 inches) beginning tonight through Sunday due to Joaquin's influence.
|
|
|
Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 2, 2015 15:00:21 GMT -5
On 10.02.15, the USFS officially CLOSED FATS. Check these forums, our Facebook page, our Twitter feed @fatsupdate, or the USFS Call Before You Haul hotline (803-561-4025) for updates.
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Oct 8, 2015 16:46:18 GMT -5
FATS is still under an official USFS closure. Although scouts were able to determine the trails are beginning to dry out, there are a lot of trees and debris down on the trail. The scouts removed about 30 trees off Brown Wave, Skinny and part of Great Wall utilizing hand saws, there are still 50+ trees down on those trails and approximately half of them will require a chainsaw. We will mobilize a trail cleanup effort over the coming weekend, please keep an eye out for details if you want to help. A couple of photos of some of the damage>
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Oct 10, 2015 14:51:19 GMT -5
We need some volunteers for tomorrow morning at FATS! We will have some of our certified sawyers out on the trail tomorrow morning to get things cleared but need some additional volunteers to help remove the cut trees, do some hand sawing, remove debris, etc. If you are able to lend a hand tomorrow morning please contact me at SORBAcsra for additional details. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Oct 11, 2015 19:08:40 GMT -5
Many thanks to the volunteers who were able to respond to our quick call to come out and lend a hand at FATS. We had 7 certified sawyers and several additional volunteers out on the Brown Wave and Skinny loops early this morning. Nearly 90 trees were cut and cleared from Brown Wave and upper and lower Skinny. In addition a team went into Big Rock on Saturday between the rain drops and were able to clear that trail (3 or 4 trees and assorted debris). The trails are still too wet after about an inch and a half of rain on Saturday. We still need to assess and clear downed trees on Deep Step, Great Wall and Tower loops. Please continue to respect the official trail closure until the USFS determines the trail is dry and clear enough to reopen. Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Oct 13, 2015 21:08:55 GMT -5
Scouts will be doing trail assessments on the last three trails in the next couple of days. If we have significant trees down we will likely schedule another work party this weekend. Please stay tuned for details if you can help if needed.
Thank you,
Angela
|
|
|
Post by Angela on Oct 14, 2015 11:47:45 GMT -5
If trees are down on the 3 remaining trails at FATS, we will try to set up another work party on Saturday morning. Stay tuned if you are able to help get these trails cleared. We need at least one support person for each sawyer.
|
|
|
Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 16, 2015 18:49:44 GMT -5
FATS is OPEN. Bathrooms may be open tonight, hopefully by tomorrow. Plan accordingly
|
|