Fort Harrison Trail Conditions - 2015

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

Park Hours change to 7:00PM closing time on 11/16/15.


It is ok to ride after dark, but is important to be out of the park by closing time.


If you want to squeeze as much riding time as possible, then park out side the park and ride out by 7:00/8:00PM.  Other wise you will need to allow enough time to load up and be out of the park by closing time.
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[matt_laker]

I'm gonna try a night ride Wednesday after work, but don't worry Jeff, I will not call and ask about closing time. I'll just be sure to be out by 8pm. If anyone ruins this I'm gonna get fully torqued as well! I'll post my results here.

Looks like the rain yesterday and more expected tomorrow might ruin your plans....   

[SpecialEd]

I don't think the heavy stuff is gonna come down for quite a while.

[David Kuehnen]

Cinderella story......

[tomc]

So, I started up a thread awhile back asking about this and all I heard was no, no ,no you can't and shouldn't do it. I kinda felt bad for even asking about it, much less committing the offense. Now it's OK? Where was this sentiment a month or two ago when I brought it up?   

[Paul_Arlinghaus]

The distinction is that  other State Parks are open till 11:00PM year round.  The Fort closes earlier (due to not having camping). 


The concern is that riders will assume it is the same as other State Parks and we will have riders out past the park closing time, which requires park staff to stay late to get them out before locking the gate. 


We really just had a very short window where the time changed, while the park was still open till 8:00M.  This left a small window of time that the park was open after dark. 


As the days get shorter, there may be a small amount of time where it is dark prior to the 7:00PM Winter Park Closing time. 


We don't want to state that night riding is allowed at Fort Harrison, because riders will assume they can ride there later into the night than the park is open.  So we are saying that you need to be out of the park by closing time, and if that allows a short period of riding after dark, that is fine.

[mdotlich]

Nicely stated, Paul. Thanks!


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[mtbikernate]

That flyer says the Museum, Visitor's Center and Office are open until 4PM.  I saw no mention of Park Hours on there.  Sign at the gate says 8PM, then the park is open until 8PM.  If it says 7PM, then the park is open until 7PM.  Go, enjoy, and don't rock the boat by calling the park and reminding them what time the sun sets.  They are well aware.

If this boat capsizes and sinks prematurely because people are too obtuse to take subtle hints, I'm going to be pretty torqued.

Lord. All I was saying was that you can call the park to ask what time the gate closes if you want to know before you arrive. As Paul said, they are changing the gate closing time soon.

[Doe]

Is the Fort definitely red today, anyone know?? 

[matt_laker]

If it is, I would say SWW is YELLOW at worst because it was GREEN when I rode it last night (not even the leaves were wet)...in case you don't mind a little further drive!

[MikeHufhand]

The Fort is "leafy green." Which means it would be perfectly tacky and green, but the preponderance of leaves keep some moisture around. Go ride, but use knobby tires this time of year.


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[Jeff Blum]

"Leafy Green", I like that.

[Raleighguy29]

Trails were great tonight. Only a few slick spots. Tree down on lc past the original log hop before the second fire road crossing. One on shoen not long after the 5 bridges climb. Both are ridable but will need saws to clear out


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[adp]

The tree down on LC is cleared.  The one on SC was a little bit too heavy to move myself.  I made a little log step climb-over on the left hand side until we can get a chainsaw out to it.


Otherwise the trails are pretty good.  Lots of debris and deep leaves in some spots on Schoen.  Some slick spots on LC still, but nothing so bad to justify staying home.

[Jeff Blum]

Reminder that Fort Harrison will be closed early this week for a deer reduction hunt.  The schedule says Monday the 16th and Tuesday the 17th, but the signs on the bathrooms today said the 17th and 18th, which would be Tuesday and Wednesday.  So who knows.