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Post by Angela on Jan 3, 2022 11:32:59 GMT -5
FATS Update!
Since December 30th we have had approximately 2 1/2 inches of rain. Looks like the next few days will be clear. This time of year the rain fills the aquifers and creates seeps since the growing season is over for plants. Cooler temps also keep things from drying out as quickly.
In addition there were severe winds around 3am so expect to find trees and debris on the trail once we get back out there.
Estimating it will take at least 48 to 72 hours for the trails to dry out enough to use. We will provide updates. Please share this information. Help protect this awesome resource!!
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Post by Angela on Jan 3, 2022 14:30:22 GMT -5
(Jan 3/2:15pm) FATS is under official closure by the USFS after excessive rain (2 1/2 inches) in the area.
Please share information about this closure with other trail users. Please help protect this resource, a trail system you love, by respecting the closure.
Stay tuned for updates.
Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Jan 7, 2022 18:39:14 GMT -5
FATS Update!
(Jan 7/6:30pm) FATS will be officially back open on Saturday, January 8th!
The majority of the trail is in great condition and ready to use but there will still be mucky/wet areas. Please do not ride/run/hike around these areas. Help us keep the singletrack single, avoid trail widening! Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Jan 9, 2022 23:10:54 GMT -5
FATS Update!
(Jan 9/11:00pm) A system rolled through dropping about half inch of rain. The trails will need about 48 hours to dry out this time of year. Please allow things to dry out before using to help protect the trails. Many dry days coming ahead. Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Jan 22, 2022 13:42:35 GMT -5
FATS UPdate!
(Jan 22/1:30pm) FATS is still under official USFS closure. Please help protect this resource by spreading the word and respecting the closure.
Only received app .25 inches of additional precip yesterday but overnight freezing temps will delay the drying cycle.
Stay tuned for updates! We will keep you posted.
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Post by Angela on Jan 24, 2022 16:45:25 GMT -5
FATS UPdate!
(Jan 24/4:15pm) FATS is still under official USFS closure. Please help protect this resource by spreading the word and respecting the closure.
Trail check today revealed there are still a lot of active seeps on the trails. Many of these seeps are 20 feet long and more. Seeps are groundwater that discharges at the surface and acts like a little slow-moving spring down the trail in this case.
For the newbies in our midst. In wintertime, with the plants in dormant mode, rain fills up the underground aquifers. The access water does move off to steams, lakes, wetland areas but access water also exits horizontally, in this case, onto the trails at FATS.
During active growing season, late spring, summer and early fall, much of the rain is taken in by plants before it ever reaches the aquifers.
Bright, sunny days with warmer temps will help some but the aquifers under FATS have to drop enough so the seeps will stop.
Please spread the word to other trail users to use other trails during the closure. There are miles of other trails to use locally.
Stay tuned for updates! We will keep you posted.
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Post by Angela on Jan 28, 2022 13:07:43 GMT -5
FATS Update!
(Jan 28/12:45pm) FATS is officially back open!
The ground water has dropped enough that the majority of the seeps are gone. However, there will be some seeps and the usual mucky/wet spots. Those areas will get drier day by day.
Please do not ride/run/hike around these areas. Help us keep the singletrack single, avoid trail widening! Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Feb 6, 2022 11:35:06 GMT -5
FATS Update>
The trails are still too wet, they will need another 24 hours to dry out.
A lot of people have abandoned social media so may not see messages about trail conditions. A good rule of thumb for anyone whether it’s been posted or not is in summertime waiting 24 hours after rain stops is generally good. In the late fall, winter and early spring at least 48 hours is needed before using the trails after rain.
The USFS relies on us using social media to protect the trails when users just need to stay off for a day or two. If that doesn’t work we can expect to have more closures. Please help spread the word! Thank you.
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Post by Angela on Feb 7, 2022 8:58:58 GMT -5
(Feb 7/8:50am) FATS Update!
Another weather system came through overnight.
Although it appears to have only dumped just over a quarter inch of rain it added to already wet trails.
It will probably take 48 hours for the trails to dry out enough. Stay tuned we will provide an update. Please share this information! Thank you.
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Post by Angela on Feb 10, 2022 14:56:11 GMT -5
(Feb 10/2:45pm) FATS Update>
Trail check revealed water table still high with active seeps on the trail. We will check the trail again Friday afternoon and report.
Please allow the trail to dry out before using!
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Post by Angela on Feb 15, 2022 9:09:25 GMT -5
FATS Update> Proposed Burn March 2022
This is just a preliminary update since we have a lot of visitors from outside our area already planning their Spring trips!
The USFS is planning to do a burn at FATS in the March 20th - 30th timeframe.
Conditions have to be nearly perfect for them to conduct a burn which is why this one hasn’t happened before now.
During the burn the south trailhead and trails will be closed and also for a few days after to ensure all hazard trees have been eliminated before trail users return to the trail.
We will keep you up-to-date on developments!
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Post by Angela on Feb 18, 2022 9:57:46 GMT -5
(Feb 18/10:45am) FATS Update>
A weather system pushed through in the early morning hours. Rain gauges normally used are all over the place (.25 - .75 inches). We will do a physical check and report. Until then plan to wait at least 24 hours before riding at FATS. Thank you!
Please help spread the word!
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Post by Angela on Feb 18, 2022 18:30:17 GMT -5
(Feb 18/5:30pm) FATS Update>
Trail check revealed FATS did not get the heavier of the rain that rolled through and should be okay to ride. However, we do not check all 36 miles of trail so there may be more or less wet areas.
There will still be some wet/mucky areas. It will continue to dry out. If you prefer fewer wet/mucky areas wait a day or so more to ride.
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Post by Angela on Feb 22, 2022 9:18:59 GMT -5
(Feb 22/9:00am) FATS Update>
A system rolled over starting early evening and into the early morning hours. Appears to have dropped about a 1/4 inch of rain but things will need to dry out. Should be good to go in about 24 hours.
There are still wet/mucky areas out there from the last rain, please stay in the middle of the trail to avoid widening. Help keep the singletrack single. Thank you!!
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Post by Angela on Mar 9, 2022 15:03:14 GMT -5
(Mar 9/2:45pm) FATS Update> A large weather system began to move through the area on Monday evening and has continued to move across. So far, according to the gauges, less than a half inch has impacted FATS but more rain is predicted. Trails will need to dry out some before use, we will keep you updated! Thank you.
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Post by Angela on Mar 12, 2022 9:35:12 GMT -5
Mar 12/9:30am> With the rain all week and strong system coming through a few hours ago coupled with the predicted overnight freeze, FATS will need at least 48 hours to dry out before use. Please help spread the word and watch for updates. Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Mar 17, 2022 8:32:53 GMT -5
(Mar 17/9:15am) FATS Update!
Rain of varying intensity most of Wednesday resulted in approximately an inch of rain in the vicinity of FATS. Trails will need at least 48 hours to dry out, we will give an update prior to the weekend. Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Mar 19, 2022 12:06:22 GMT -5
(Mar 19/12:45pm) FATS Update!
System rolled through dropping another 1/2 to an inch of rain in the area. Things had still not dried out from the previous rain on Wednesday. Trails will need AT LEAST another 48 hours to dry out. Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Mar 22, 2022 8:37:41 GMT -5
(Mar 22/9:00am) FATS Update>
The trails SB good to go w/some of the usual mucky spots still there. Please do not widen the trail by riding around those spots. Help us keep the singletrack single!
As a reminder the US Forest Service is planning to burn between now & the end of the month. We will not have advanced notice since the fire crew will assess for favorable conditions & when they hit those nearly perfect conditions it’s a go. The trail will be closed & gates locked.
They have to consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke.
We’ll report as soon as we get word but by then it typically will be well underway! The trail will be closed and the gates will be locked during the burn and shortly after as they check for any hazard trees. The whole process typically takes just a few days.
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Post by Angela on Mar 24, 2022 23:33:11 GMT -5
(Mar 25/12:30am) FATS Burn Update!
We have been advised that given the weather and fuel conditions at FATS, if the helicopter can be scheduled, the burning at FATS could began as early as today or Saturday.
The gates at FATS will be closed as soon as the burn commences and will be reopened once the burn is complete and the trails have checked for any hazard trees.
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