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Post by Angela on Jan 1, 2023 17:01:07 GMT -5
FATS still under official USFS closure
First we want to thank all the trail users who have helped protect the FATS by not accessing the trail during this closure.
The FATS is still under official closure by the US Forest Service. We have been working with them throughout the closure to stay on top of changing trail conditions.
Last trail check was on Friday, December 30th before the last round of rain came through on New Year’s Eve.
There were still active seeps but in many more spots the ground was wet but had firmed up since the last check on the 28th.
On the 28th the areas that had stopped seeping but were still wet had been impacted by the freeze/thaw cycle. That freeze/thaw cycle is rare in this area. Normally that ground would be firm but was mushy.
On the December 30 trail check those previously slightly mushy areas a lot of wet areas were firming up but there were still some active seeps out on the trails. That was coupled with a prediction of rain on Saturday, December 31 which indeed happened. Fortunately it was not significant amount of rain but it does delay the drying cycle and adds more moisture into the soil.
Please do not use FATS until the trail has opened. People do get anxious after it’s been closed for a while. Unfortunately closure is common this time of year. While we were out there we had the opportunity to talk to some trail users and explain why the trails are closed and let them know about other opportunities to ride, run and walk their dogs in the area.
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Post by Angela on Jan 4, 2023 20:43:38 GMT -5
(Jan 4/8:30) FATS Update!
FATS remains under official U.S. Forest Service Closure! Please help protect this resource and do not use the FATS until it reopens.
Two systems rolled through dropping over 2 inches of rain locally. 2” of rain on the trail tread during summer would normally dry in 48 to 72 hours. However, this time of year seeps remain as the ground water runs out and down the trail at FATS until the water level in the aquifer drops enough.
We will be working very closely with the USFS. Their goal is to have FATS opened as quickly as possible.
As a comparison check out the year over year gauge in the photo below, this weather closure is pretty standard this time of year. Fortunately we have a lot of
other trails in the area that will be available to use more quickly than FATS.
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Post by Angela on Jan 6, 2023 19:57:55 GMT -5
(Jan 6/5:45pm) FATS Update!
Reminder> FATS is still under official closure by the US Forest Service. Please do not access the trail during closure, this applies to all trail users. Help protect this great local resource!
Noted today during trail check> the ground water is dropping but there are still active seeps some 30 feet long. A lot of areas are still very damp but the seeps are not running any longer. In those cases the ground still needs to dry out more.
Stay tuned for updates, the forecast ahead looks promising!!
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Post by Angela on Jan 10, 2023 20:52:04 GMT -5
(Jan 10/8:45pm) FATS Update!
FATS is still under official USFS closure. A trail check today revealed there are still a lot of active seeps out on the trail. The ground water is dropping but slowly. We will continue to work with the USFS and provide updates.
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Post by Angela on Jan 13, 2023 12:01:12 GMT -5
(Jan 13/12pm) FATS Update
FATS is still under official USFS closure. The system that moved through late yesterday dumped another inch of rain in the vicinity of FATS. Predictably that invigorated the seeps out on the trail. Stay tuned for updates.
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Post by Angela on Jan 18, 2023 12:21:57 GMT -5
Heads Up FATS!
(and yes the trail is still closed)
Per the US Forest Service, Dominion Energy will start trimming trees in the power line right of way in the FATS area this week. This is the main transmission line that the trails cross multiple times. They will be using a helicopter to complete this work. This work is being done in prep for replacing the utility poles, etc.
They will have workers on the ground in conjunction with this work. The trail is still closed due to the rain/trail conditions, but they anticipate working in the FATS area for the next three weeks.
Once the trail is reopened users will be able to cross at the power lines but should be aware there could be limbs/brush/workers on or around the trail near the crossings.
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Post by Angela on Jan 23, 2023 10:45:38 GMT -5
(Jan 23/11:30am) FATS Update>
FATS remains under official closure by the USFS due to wet trail conditions. A system that rolled in on Saturday producing light rain followed by much heavier rain on Sunday. It moved off on Sunday night but not before unleashing over 2 inches of rain in the area.
Steven’s Creek rose above flood stage again, and area aquifers are overfilled once again.
Yes this will end. All local trails will need a little time to dry out.
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Post by Angela on Jan 26, 2023 12:26:10 GMT -5
(Jan 26/12:15pm) FATS Update!
FATS is still under official US Forest Service closure. Please respect the closure and help spread the word to protect the FATS!
The weather continues to impact trail conditions. The system yesterday dropped another inch and a quarter of rain in the area of FATS. That brings the total rain over the last few days to over 3 1/2 inches.
We have a lot of trail users out of this area so will continue to provide updates. Most locals are very aware of these weather systems rolling through.
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Post by Angela on Jan 30, 2023 12:18:23 GMT -5
(Jan 30/11:30am) FATS Update
FATS is still under official closure by the US Forest Service due to wet trail conditions.
The system that rolled through overnight only dropped an additional half inch of rain but we are up over 7 inches of rain for the month of January.
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Post by Angela on Feb 3, 2023 21:44:13 GMT -5
(Feb 3/1pm) FATS Update!
Another system rolled through fortunately delivering less rain than the last - between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch in the vicinity of FATS. Looks like we have a break in all this rain according to the forecast. Stay tuned!!
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Post by Angela on Feb 17, 2023 18:11:29 GMT -5
(Feb 17/6:00pm) FATS Update>
FATS is still under official USFS closure due to wet trail conditions. Please respect the closure and help protect this great resource. SORBAcsra fully supports this closure AB’s we are working closely with the USFS!
The most recent system that rolled through from the west fortunately was breaking up by the time it arrived in our area today. It delivered less than a tenth of an inch of rain. Forecast looks good for things to begin to dry out.
Please help spread the word that FATS is still closed. Drier trails are coming!
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Post by Angela on Feb 20, 2023 15:55:17 GMT -5
(Feb 20/3:30pm) FATS Update!
After yesterday’s spot trail check and a more extensive trail check today the FATS is officially back open! We have been working with the US Forest Service during the closure, they have been just as anxious as we have been to get the trails opened! Help spread the good news!
Thank you to all the trail users who respected the closure!!
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Post by Angela on Feb 26, 2023 15:33:09 GMT -5
(Feb 26/1:30pm) FATS Update!
FATS still has a lot of seeps running after that inch of rain on Friday. Yesterday’s mistiness, overcast skies and cooler temps did not help dry the trails out. Trails will need another day to dry out. Please use other local trails and give the FATS time to dry out. Warmer, sunnier and drier days are ahead. Thanks again to all trail users who are helping protect this great local resource. Please help spread the word!
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Post by Angela on Feb 27, 2023 21:11:37 GMT -5
Heads Up FATS!
The USFS is planning to do a burn at FATS during the March 10th through 31st timeframe.
Specialists write the burn plans which consider temperature, humidity, wind, moisture of the vegetation, and conditions for the dispersal of smoke. The specialists compare conditions on the ground to those outlined in burn plans before deciding whether to burn on a given day.
The trails will be closed for approximately 3 days during and after the burn. When the US Forest Service closes the trail during a burn it is closed for trail user safety. Accelerants are being dropped from a helicopter during the burn. Then after the burn the USFS burn team goes into the trails to check for hazard trees and remove them for the safety of all trail users.
We will provide more information as it becomes available!
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Post by Angela on Mar 4, 2023 8:46:34 GMT -5
(Mar 4/8:00am) FATS Update!
A system rolled through very quickly last night so rain was roughly a tenth of an inch. There were some high winds so be observant since there might be trees down on the trails.
If you do encounter any wet/mucky spots please stay in the middle of the trail. Help keep the singletrack single!! TY
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Post by Angela on Mar 10, 2023 16:50:20 GMT -5
(Mar 10/1pm) FATS Update!
A system rolled through but fortunately only brought about 1/4 inch of rain which wrapped up around 1pm today. The trails will need about 24 hours to dry out from that time.
Please remember if the trails have not completely dried out to stay in the middle of the trails through any wet/mucky spots! Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Mar 12, 2023 21:04:32 GMT -5
(Mar 12/8:15pm) FATS Update!
System rolled through dropping about an inch of rain. With these cooler temps ahead it will probably be 48 to 72 hours before the trails dry out. Please allow the trails to dry out before using. Thank you!
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Post by Angela on Mar 17, 2023 23:39:44 GMT -5
(Mar 18/12:30am) FATS Update!
Another front moved through dropping nearly an inch of rain across the area. Trails will need at least 48 hours to dry out. Please help spread the word. Thank you!
After last Sunday’s inch of train the trails were very fast with some wet/mucky spots by Thursday as a reference.
As we move into warmer weather and the vegetation is in full growth mode the drying times will be shorter.
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Post by Angela on Mar 22, 2023 6:53:31 GMT -5
FATS Update!
Things have not lined up for the USFS to burn at FATS so far in March but they have given us the heads up that if all conditions are go, they will burn this Friday, March 24th.
We will post updated information as soon as we receive it.
FATS will be closed on the day of the burn as well as for a day or two after while they check the trails for any hazard trees created by the burn.
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Post by Angela on Mar 23, 2023 21:04:45 GMT -5
FATS Burn Update>
As of right now the burn is a go for tomorrow, Friday, March 24th. Stay tuned for any updates.
Both trailheads will be closed on Friday but the FATS trails south of Deep Step Road will remain open. The south trailhead will be utilized as the fire crew command post. Later on Friday afternoon when they are finished the south trailhead will be back open.
Do not use Big Rock, Tower or Deep Step (north of Deep Step Road) Trails until further notice.
Please help spread the word!
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