Trail Conditions

[wwrunner2]

hello ran ww today 2 trees down before the brdg 7 and a bigger one after that also one down around 8.5 .and one down before power line going counter clock wise about 1 min run, crazy ice fisherman out. the central indiana wilderness club is going to hike there next sat i introduced the park to a member the time is on their website. i didnt know if any of the ww people might want to meet them. saw 12 deer driving in by the speedway nice. none while running

[mrbiggerstaff]

Anyone tried riding here lately with the snow?  Do tell.

[WheezerMF]

I'm betting the trails will take weeks to melt & firm up enough to sustain traffic (tire OR foot!).  Ugh...!

[bghorn]

I doubt the trails are dry enough yet at Westwood since it has been so cold at night and we got an absolute soaker over the weekend.  However, I will try to stop by there this evening and make an offcial check.

[mrbiggerstaff]

Thanks!  Do tell what you find.  And also if you think Friday would be rideable.

[mrbiggerstaff]

What's the story friends?  Anderson is dry.  How bout WW?  Its gotta be huh? 

[bghorn]

Sorry but bike problems prevented me from trying to ride Westwood so I can't speak for the whole trail.  I did walk about 300 yards backwards from the beginning and based on that I think the whole trail will be good today.   However, sometimes in the spring certain sections take longer to dry out than others.  But based on the summer drying pattern WW should be really good today.  My only concern is places like the big dig that take a long time to dry out initially in the spring.  Also, be aware that I don't think the park has cleared downed trees from the offseason yet and so I am sure there are some somewhere.

Bottom line - I am going to give it a shot and I don't expect to be surprised by wet trails except one or two very short stretches if at all.  I will post after ride if I actually get to ride this time. 

Of course the rain that is predicted for later today and during the week will shut us out for awhile so get out now. 

[Dayres]

I rode today at WW, first outing this year, oh how quickly one loses their climbing legs (and lungs) after sitting behind a computer screen 13 hours a day all winter long.  The trail was rideable, but far from ideal.  Very slow in my opinion, the uphills felt like twice the work as normal.  Only a few spots are "muddy", and surprisingly, these were mainly the open areas of the trail where the sun beats down on them all day long.  There is a significant mud patch after bridge 14 that is pretty hazardous for about 20 feet or so.  There are a few trees down here and there; I, with th help of another gentleman, stopped and removed the lone down tree that could be moved without a saw.

My guess is that it will be late April / early May before the trail could be considered "fast" again. 

[bghorn]

Dayres described conditions accurately.  I was happy to see that there was less damage from people riding when too wet at this point in the year than the last couple years. 

If we get all the rain as predicted in the extended forecast it will probably be 2 weeks before Westwood will be rideable again.  Let's hope it changes for the better.

Ride on.

[moose]

Anyone know how the trail is looking for this weekend?

[wwrunner2]

ran ww  saturday a big tree down after bridge 7 and a another smaller one at about 8.5 miles. trail fairly dry wet in usual spots was frozen at 8 am and started getting slick at 9 am. saw 3 bikes and a deer swimming across lake he started at the little benches on the east side and went straight across. i  knocked alot of branches off trail in parts i dont think anybody had been around for a while. also was wondering if they moved the trail (heading back west}in the big dig up closer to the tree line if it would be alot  drier up higher ground?

[MikeHufhand]

ran ww  saturday a big tree down after bridge 7 and a another smaller one at about 8.5 miles. trail fairly dry wet in usual spots was frozen at 8 am and started getting slick at 9 am. saw 3 bikes and a deer swimming across lake he started at the little benches on the east side and went straight across. i  knocked alot of branches off trail in parts i dont think anybody had been around for a while. also was wondering if they moved the trail (heading back west}in the big dig up closer to the tree line if it would be alot  drier up higher ground?

Might be drier higher up.  The trail was laid out keeping in mind that the horses were using the trail close to the location you bring up.   Obviously, that would be a very bad situation if that was still the case.   I'm not sure if the horses are currently allowed in that area now.   

The problem with the big dig has always been the fact that all of the good top soil was taken away to help build the dam.  Thus the name, " Big Dig."   You would have to go up slope quite abit to get to the good soil.   Believe it or not, It might be more time effective just to rock armor the existing trail.

[DaFounder]

I wonder what the trail conditions will be like Saturday. I am wanting to get back on a bike. 

[bghorn]

based on walking a small section of westwood conditions should be good except a couple places that haven't transitioned to summer drying pattern.  Go ride.

[a_ratcliffe]

Rode it 4/1 and the conditions were very good.  97% dry with a few areas wet and a few really muddy.  Today whould be even better.  Most of the trail has been cleared of fallen trees.  Watch your head in a few areas, though.