VSP Trail Conditions

[Guyfry]

I've seen all levels of bikers out tearing up trails in the winter. Hikers also.......I've talked to them. Some know better, but do it anyway. Some truly don't realize that they're doing anything wrong.

I think you answered your own question about why someone would want to ride in the mud, with your statement; The cold sucks.
That's why many bikers wait until the temperature warms up to above freezing and think "Hey, great day for a mountain bike ride."
 When you see them later, covered in mud, and ask them "How were the trails?", they always answer, They weren't that bad!......Meaning, "I made it through without having to stop."

In VSP's case, most people have driven an hour or better to ride. They'd have to be awfully responsible to stop riding after encountering too soft trails.

I'm not defending anybody who ruts up a trail, but sometime just a certain section or loop will be much more prone to damage in the winter than the rest of the trail system. Maybe Shadow Run is just one of those fair weather only trails.

[mrfun]

I have to agree.  I have often seen real riders come in from a ride when I am staying off and hiking trails to break down some of the ruts.  They say it is not too bad; meaning I really want to ride and don't mind if I leave a few ruts.  I had one person who did not bother to read the signs posted at Brown Co. and said that when I pointed it out and explained the situation she understood and would try to avoid in future.  Yet like lots of us it was a little warmer and nicer to ride.  Guess it is good that we have roads to ride when we can't get on trails.

[MikeHufhand]

I've seen all levels of bikers out tearing up trails in the winter. Hikers also.......I've talked to them. Some know better, but do it anyway. Some truly don't realize that they're doing anything wrong.

I think you answered your own question about why someone would want to ride in the mud, with your statement; The cold sucks.
That's why many bikers wait until the temperature warms up to above freezing and think "Hey, great day for a mountain bike ride."
 When you see them later, covered in mud, and ask them "How were the trails?", they always answer, They weren't that bad!......Meaning, "I made it through without having to stop."

In VSP's case, most people have driven an hour or better to ride. They'd have to be awfully responsible to stop riding after encountering too soft trails.

I'm not defending anybody who ruts up a trail, but sometime just a certain section or loop will be much more prone to damage in the winter than the rest of the trail system. Maybe Shadow Run is just one of those fair weather only trails.

Guy, I think you might be on to something there.   Maybe we should start posting at all of our trailheads, an alternative ride, including directions.  In VSP's case, this could be a road ride or maybe just to stick to certain trails when the conditions are suspect.   It is tough to make the drive to a great destination, and then find out that conditions are really too wet for riding off-road.  In a way, we're a victim of our own success.  Our trails are really good and people really want to ride them!

In the end, it's really up to us to educate our own in regards to what "riding responsibly" really means.  I'm kinda thinking out loud here, not pointing fingers at anyone.

[ELduder]

Yea when I rode VSP last Sunday i finished up right when the first 20 or so feet was thawing out. I saw experiernced riders heading to Shadow on the sunny side that had already thawed out but I guess they did not care.

I agree with the signage on alternate rides like the north facing slopes. I think the trail could be riden onthe creekside section by taking the road down to the double track then up to the short section of Turtle to creekside and make it short ride or even ride the double track all the way up the hill

Guy is right as usual once the weather warms up and the sun is out it brings out all sorts some who know better some who dont and some who dont care and that makes a muddy mess.

I agree it suxs to drive an hour and turn back around but I have done that before and it is always for the best. I have been to MMF and riding to the cut off and dipped out and headed home. Granted that is only a 15 minute drive from my house but still.

[ELduder]

so how much snow did you all get? Think it will be good to ride Sun morning?

[Guyfry]

We got about 6 inches of snow....... If you can ride in that, you're more of a man than I am.
It is beautiful hiking conditions, what with all the limbs and trees encrusted with thick snow.

[ELduder]

That is sweet looking Guy and I stayed in and saw Avatar in 3d which was a mind bending event

[lenlog]

That is sweet looking Guy and I stayed in and saw Avatar in 3d which was a mind bending event

"stayed in and saw Avatar in 3D"??  You have IMAX at home!??

[ELduder]

Len you should see my basement it is all hooked up now have to have you over some time. Actually it is a mini imax screen but still works. It is only 20 feet tall not as big as the ones in the theaters.

[dirt farmer]

VSP trails are closed until further notice. Trails will not be rideable any time soon. There are signs at the front gate and at the trail head.

More and more riders are showing up who are simply unaware that it’s not OK to ride muddy trails. We do our best to educate and post information in the kiosk, but officially closing the trail is a new step. The park staff is on board to help enforce. Hopefully this will limit some of the damage in the coming weeks.

We’ll keep a close eye on conditions and re-open ASAP.

[SteveR]

Mark,I support the signage posted to help keep the trails from getting rutted and chewed up with this Spring thaw that will be extremely wet this year. With the new Law Enforcement Office being at the entrance to VSP...I hope the C.O.'s and VSP staff will keep a close eye on it. Sad to need signs to post the obvious but this needs to be done to control the trail use when it's just too wet by the careless and uneducated !   

[moondawg]

Mark,I support the signage posted to help keep the trails from getting rutted and chewed up with this Spring thaw that will be extremely wet this year. With the new Law Enforcement Office being at the entrance to VSP...I hope the C.O.'s and VSP staff will keep a close eye on it. Sad to need signs to post the obvious but this needs to be done to control the trail use when it's just too wet by the careless and uneducated !   

"Sad to need signs to post the obvious" ....

Honestly, if I didn't frequent this website, I would have little-to-no idea how much damage could be done by riding trails that are muddy.      I would just accept muddy trails as a fact of life.... not realizing the long-term harm that a simple mud-hole can do to a trail.

As more and more people are introduced to the sport, and as more people realize the wealth of trails here in the state, continuous education, signage, etc is going to be necessary to protect the trails.   

[ELduder]

Hey Mark is that sign also at the trailhead? It should be planted right in the middle of the trail before the first bridge or next too it.

[Guyfry]

Hey Mark is that sign also at the trailhead? It should be planted right in the middle of the trail before the first bridge or next too it.

There is a trail closed sign at the trailhead, next to the wooden Mountain Bike trail sign and also facing the road.

There were 3 to 6 inches of very crusty snow on the trails Thursday night.

(See you at the concert tonight, Elduder.)

[Rich_Ries]

Moondawg brings up an excellent point. I think it's unfair to assume that all who ride trails at inappropriate times are acting with willful disregard of accepted practice. I think there's a lot of ignorance out there. The task of education is ours, or at least one we share. I also think we need to do a better job of considering the broad spectrum of riders we serve not only in trail design, but also with signage, education, etc. Closure should prove to be an effective - if regrettable - method of minimizing the damage. But we need to do a better job of educating riders and of providing current trail conditions information. My personal policy is that if I think the trails are likely to be susceptible to damage, I don't ride. I make that assessment before I leave the house. I suppose I've lost some good riding opportunities. And I know I've missed the call a few times, arriving at the trailhead only to find the trails too soft to ride and having to turn around and go home. But mostly, it works.