Hillside status?

[Panman]

Anyone know or been to Hillside yet this spring? Is it open? My afternoon is free and I'd like to get my first mtb ride in. I can't go to the south metro...to far. :( Or, if you know of any other open trails up here in the northwest metro let me know. Thanks!

[noise_is_life]

I think Hillside usually opens on May 1st, just before the Hillside Blast, but I don't see anything on their website about it.


http://www.bikeblast.com/

[sensorysonic]

I think Hillside usually opens on May 1st, just before the Hillside Blast, but I don't see anything on their website about it.


http://www.bikeblast.com/

Hillside opens sometime in May, depending on conditions. Call Elk River Recreation for Hillside Park information at 763-635-1150. Also, remember, Hillside Park requires an individual daily pass for $4, or an individual season pass is $25, and can be purchased at Elk River Recreation at 1104 Lions Park Drive. Remember, these passes are per person, not per vehicle.

[PWAXON]

Hillside opens sometime in May, depending on conditions. Call Elk River Recreation for Hillside Park information at 763-635-1150. Also, remember, Hillside Park requires an individual daily pass for $4, or an individual season pass is $25, and can be purchased at Elk River Recreation at 1104 Lions Park Drive. Remember, these passes are per person, not per vehicle.
On the Blast web site it says $4 per car. Did it change over the winter?

[sensorysonic]

On the Blast web site it says $4 per car. Did it change over the winter?

Elk River Recreation is in charge of the fees. The fee schedule I have, acquired from them in January is as follows: $4 per person per day. Tear off envelope tab (provided at Hillside Park) and place on dashboard of vehicle. If you did not drive to the park, keep the tab on your person. Basically, if 4 people come in one vehicle, each person needs to buy a daily $4 pass.

[Panman]

http://www.bikeblast.com/
Yep, I checked there first but they don't have much of a site at the moment so I thought I'd see if anyone here has been there yet.
Call Elk River Recreation for Hillside Park information at 763-635-1150. Also, remember, Hillside Park requires an individual daily pass for $4, or an individual season pass is $25
I called and they said I would have to drive by to see if it's ridable. They don't keep track of it I guess. I'm also going to try and stop by to pickup a pass, they close at 4:30 if anyone wants to know.

So, I'll be at Hillside around 4:30-5ish if anyone else wants to go! I think it'll be dry enought but we'll see. I'll report back with an update tonight. You can call me @ 612-801-2360. Hope to see you there!! :banana:

[noise_is_life]

That's cool, I'll be eager to hear how the trails are up there.

[sensorysonic]

I called and they said I would have to drive by to see if it's ridable. They don't keep track of it I guess. I'm also going to try and stop by to pickup a pass, they close at 4:30 if anyone wants to know.

So, I'll be at Hillside around 4:30-5ish if anyone else wants to go! I think it'll be dry enought but we'll see. I'll report back with an update tonight. You can call me @ 612-801-2360. Hope to see you there!! :banana:

Hey guys, your not supposed to ride Hillside until at least May 1st! You should get confirmation from Blast to see if the trail can be ridden earlier. Blast does the volunteer work on this trail, and they should determine when it should open. Hillside is much much much more vulnerable to erosion then a park like Lebanon which is specifically made to be erosion resistant. Please don't ride Hillside today unless you get confirmation from Blast. The staff person at the Elk River Recreation office probably does not know the trail conditions. Come on people, we have to think a little bit here! If you can't reach Blast because the site is down, then DON'T RIDE THE TRAIL, until you can confirm with Blast about Hillsides opening date!!!!

[noise_is_life]

I guess I misunderstood who the authority is in this case, certainly don't ride there unless it is approved by BLAST.

I've heard there is somewhat of a strained relationship between BLAST and the rest of the (IMBA based) trailbuilding community. Does anybody around here attend their trail sessions?

[sensorysonic]

The Blast Website is down. They have an email address on the site, and you can email them with questions. DO NOT RIDE HILLSIDE TODAY, unless you get emailed confirmation from Blast that the trail is ready to ride. They normally open the trail sometime in May. We have to be responsible riders. Hillside has a lot of erosion issues already. They don't need people riding the trail too early.

[noise_is_life]

Actually it's not down...BLAST (http://www.bikeblast.com/)

The contact email address is mail@bikeblast.com

[Panman]

I'm a member of the list server there and I've sent an e-mail to them. I'm also trying to get a phone number to Blast. I'll let you know what I find.

[Panman]

Hey guys, your not supposed to ride Hillside until at least May 1st!
Notice how they have trail work scheduled for April 18th. Maybe they plan on opening it before May 1st.

[Panman]

I guess I misunderstood who the authority is in this case...
I thought the city had the final say on this so I called them. They told me to check at Hillside for a closed sign or not. So that's what I plan on doing.

[Panman]

I've heard there is somewhat of a strained relationship between BLAST and the rest of the (IMBA based) trailbuilding community. Does anybody around here attend their trail sessions?
This is another topic but if they go under do you think MORC or someone else will take over for them?

[sensorysonic]

Actually it's not down...BLAST (http://www.bikeblast.com/)

The contact email address is mail@bikeblast.com

The Blast site wasn't coming up for me this afternoon, but now its working for me. I assumed it might be down. Probably just my connection! Thanks for putting up the Blast email contact information! :crazy2:

[Panman]

OK, here is the status at this point.

I've sent out e-mails to both Blast's list server and direct e-mail, no responce back. I've also sent e-mails out to other people who I know know Blast stuff, no reply yet. Then I called the city back asking for a phone number to Blast. They gave me a number and I called. After calling several numbers I got a hold of a guy. He said that he wasn't directly in charge of Hillside but thought it was open, the gates and everything had been open and cars have been there. He said to drive by and check for closed signs, exactly what the city said. And he said to call the city but I told him they told me the exact same thing.

So, at this point I'm getting ready to go. I'll let you know what I find later tonight. Man this is crazy.. :crazy2: Later

[PWAXON]

OK, here is the status at this point.

I've sent out e-mails to both Blast's list server and direct e-mail, no responce back. I've also sent e-mails out to other people who I know know Blast stuff, no reply yet. Then I called the city back asking for a phone number to Blast. They gave me a number and I called. After calling several numbers I got a hold of a guy. He said that he wasn't directly in charge of Hillside but thought it was open, the gates and everything had been open and cars have been there. He said to drive by and check for closed signs, exactly what the city said. And he said to call the city but I told him they told me the exact same thing.

So, at this point I'm getting ready to go. I'll let you know what I find later tonight. Man this is crazy.. :crazy2: Later
Thanks Ryan. keep us posted. I'd love to not have to drive all the way down to the river bottoms tomorrow.

[sensorysonic]

Ryan, thanks for going the extra mile to find out Hillsides open status! I know it was probably a pain, and I hope I didn't sound too preachy. Not my intention. I just know Hillside is very vulnerable to erosion, especially the descents, so I just wanted to make sure the trail was open. Thanks for making all the calls! Cheers!

[Mateo]

Yeah, definitely let us know if it's dry in there yet...

[Don Youngdahl]

Got this today on the Blast e-mail list:

----------------------

Hillside is still closed. I walked the trails and probed for frost
levels. I have sent an email to Elk River Parks suggesting that the
trails could be opened for this weekend. It is their descision but
typically they have relied on BLAST input. I expect to have an official
response from them tomorrow. I'll try get a notice posted on
bikeblast.com & MORC's sites.

There are a few trees and a bunch of limbs down. These will be cleared
on April 18.

Kevin Lennon
BLAST Trail Crew

-------------------------
Don Youngdahl

[Panman]

Yep, I got there, pulled in, and seen a shin from the trail head. It turned out to be a big chain. The trail to my supprise is still closed and the sign there still says May 1st. So, I got on my bike and (no I did not go on the trail) went down the road in the middle of the park (to the compost piles). Every so often, where the trail met with the road, I'd stop and jump into the woods. The trail looked dry everywhere, only a few leaves and twigs. They also cut the grass under the powerlines so that whole stretch is open. It looks all ridable to me, even checked the normaly wettest spot, dry. I sure hope they open it this weekend, else I'll be there for trail work next. Hope other people can make it!
Got this today on the Blast e-mail list:
Yep, same here. I'm the one who started that. :D

[Panman]

I recieved this e-mail from the Blast list server:
The City of Elk River has approved opening Hillisde Park mtb trails on
Monday, April 12. A notice of this opening will be posted on
www.bikeblast.com and MORC's site. Please be aware that there are some
tree branches and other debris on the trails. These will be removed
during spring clean up on Sunday April 18.

During the season rain may cause temporary closure the trail. Please
check the "Hillside Weather" link at www.bikeblast.com or
http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USMN0228?from=search_city to verify
recent weather conditions before leaving home. Remember, it takes at
least 6 hours for Hillside to dry adequately.


Thanks,
Kevin Lennon
BLAST Trail Crew

[gopherhockey]

Thanks so much for the info on Hillside! Its great to have people doing these types of reports etc. It benefits us all - very much appreciated!!

Also I like their note about rain... its a constant educational thing for people to stay off trails after a rain. Hopefully we'll reach even more this year.

[BrightYellow]

Does anybody know how fast Hillside dries up? I'm taking Friday off and I'd like to ride out there in the morning. But, you know, I don't want to drive all the way up there just to find out it is closed or too wet to ride.

Thanks!

[PWAXON]

Does anybody know how fast Hillside dries up? I'm taking Friday off and I'd like to ride out there in the morning. But, you know, I don't want to drive all the way up there just to find out it is closed or too wet to ride.

Thanks!
I should be up there Thursday night. I'll post if it is still too wet to ride.

[Fiveohhh]

I might check it out tomorrow also in the day, depends if my helmet makes it back from giro. Will update if I do.

[Panman]

Paul and I will probably be there around 6ish if you want to ride. If you, or anyone, join look for a silver Ranger or black Focus, that's us.

[fatbaldpop1]

I just came from there. the trail is basically dry. A couple of spots that are muddy. Be smart and ride through the middle of them and don't wander to the side and don't crank if you are turning. It was a guilt-free ride, though. There were several others out there riding.

[Fiveohhh]

Thanks for the update was going to head that way, but called giro today and helmet just shipped today so I'm hoping I'll have it Monday.