Which trail dries fastest?

[bikeoutback]

Just curious and possibly a bit bored at work but in the past which trail has been ready to ride the earliest or is it usually all of them at once. I'm also wondering how Harmon park looks, I'm sure still wet but it shed water really quickly last year after rain, wondering if it does the same this time of year?

[manual63]

The answer is.....the road....:)

[Trevize1138]

Please ignore Shad.

Anyway, I'd say all the trails will be dry around the same time. I'm sure Harmon Park will have *more* of it dry than the rest of them and sooner, but it's not all out in the open and the sections in the trees will take just as long as the other trails.

And, because you can't really avoid the tree-covered sections Harmon won't be open until the others are, I would say.

In the past it used to be that Lebanon was always the first place to open. But, that was more true when it was a 2.2 mile loop of 12 foot wide gravel. Then it was still true for a while but only because it was really the only trail built to IMBA standards and the inherent drying qualities that entails.

I would guess, though, if weather cooperates we could see some trails open in a couple weeks. Easily by May 1 everything will be open. Don't worry, we'll let you know. We're psyched, too! :crazy2:

[bigwheel]

If your goal is singletrack, you are going to have to wait a few more weeks.

However, if you just want to get out into the woods and not destroy your knobby tires, you might consider riding some of the gravel road trails.

This time of year, I often take evening rides along the river trail/road that goes from the Sibley house (Mendota) to Hwy 77 (Eagan). It is double-wide gravel, but at least it's in the woods. Plus, I only have to ride a couple paved miles to get there. I have not been down there yet this year, but there's a reasonble chance it may be rideable by this weekend.

[bikeoutback]

Please ignore Shad.

Doesn't everyone? ;)

Thanks on the rest of the info, I was just curious, I'd be better off hitting the pavement for awhile anyways. Seems right now I have more time to float on forums reading and replying tha I do anything else but that's only cause I can search forums while at work, at home I don't even own a computer - pretty sad for someone that does computer support. :confused:

Bob, could you help me out on where Sibley house is or where it goes to in Eagan. Since I'm in Apple Valley the Eagan side might be the easiest to get to and head down, appreciate it.

[bigwheel]

On the Eagan side, park underneath of the Cedar Ave bridge. To get there, take 13 to Silver Bell Road (north west), and follow it toward the river. There is a boat ramp and parking underneath of the bridge. To get to the trail, act as if you were coming down the bike ramp from the bridge, and go straight (north).

On the Mendota side, take the old 13 (sibley memorial highway) north, across 55. Go about another half-mile, and look for a place to park. The trail starts on the other side of the railroad tracks.

Here's sort-of a map. The yellow stuff is the bike trail.

[bigwheel]

BTW, if you are riding eagan-mendota on the trail, you can also add another mile or two.

Take the bike ramp across (underneath) the cedar bridge to the bloomington (north) side. When you get off, head back toward the river a few feet, and take a right along the river. There is a dirt road along the river. You can go almost a mile before it turns into swamp.

Note: The swamp is also a nice ride in the summer (when dry) and frozen winter, and makes a nice way to bike from Eagan to hook up with the "official" river trail without riding where you are not allowed.

[Tetreves]

My experience has been that the river bottoms dry up the fastest (lots of sand). Of course, it also stays wet the longest (it IS the river bottoms).

But overall, it may be dry a day or two earlier than some other trails. I would guess it'll be a month before anything is dry enough, but I'm no expert.

[stoneage]

Wirth is the fastest I've seen after a rainstorm. After a two day soaker, it is ready to ride in less than a day. If it's a 1 hour thunderstorm, it can be ready in 4-6 hours.

[Tetreves]

True. But we havn't seen many springs with Wirth yet (in the new singletrack). We'll have to see...

[Trevize1138]

True. But we havn't seen many springs with Wirth yet (in the new singletrack). We'll have to see...

If memory serves, last year we were actually able to open Theo in late March :confused: I could be totally off with that, but it seems we were all quite surprised at how early the trail was ready.

Then again, last year's weather cooperated a lot better and we didn't get 20'' of snow dumped on us at the end of March ;).

[Kosk]

If memory serves, last year we were actually able to open Theo in late March :confused: I could be totally off with that, but it seems we were all quite surprised at how early the trail was ready.
FYI to all, my records show the official opening date for Theo last year was;
Thurdsay, April 14th, 2005

Then again, last year's weather cooperated a lot better and we didn't get 20'' of snow dumped on us at the end of March ;).
Exactly, and coupled with recent and forecasted rain, things will likely take even longer this year.

The last two years we have had freakishly dry springs. Trails opened up the 1st of April in 2004 according to my records, and the middle of April in 2005.

I'm betting 2006 will be more likely around the 1st of May, which is much more typical. There are spots on north facing, wooded hillsides that still have snow pack on them.

[timmy]

I'm betting 2006 will be more likely around the 1st of May, which is much more typical.

What about trail work?

[TrailPatrol]

The Luce Line Trail is crushed limestone, and should be ridable tomorrow. It drains really fast, and although there may be some soft spots, it will no doubt be ready before most of the other unpaved trails are.

I will check it both west from Vicksburg Rd. and west from Stumps Bay Park and post it back here.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[waitabit]

Harmon Park drys out as fast as any trail, after a huge rainstorm it can be ready as fast, if not faster than Wirth.

[soupboy]

Lay trenches. 29er wheels are not affected by ruts.

[seberly]

Ummm, the thing you all need to remember about the River Bottoms is it FLOODS and I believe it is going to flood this week.

[stoneage]

Ummm, the thing you all need to remember about the River Bottoms is it FLOODS and I believe it is going to flood this week.
THAT takes a little while to dry out!!;)

[Tetreves]

Ummm, the thing you all need to remember about the River Bottoms is it FLOODS and I believe it is going to flood this week.

Thanks Steve. That's what I was trying to say: it dries pretty fast when it's not flooded.

[berrywise]

Trails opened up the 1st of April in 2004 according to my records, and the middle of April in 2005.

I just like the fact that you have records of these things. :D

[manual63]

Will H and I know what the river bottoms is like this time of year. Dry trail and then a section that doesn't look too bad until you try to go through it.....:laugh:

Yeah, better to just avoid that whole experience.

[TrailPatrol]

The Luce Line Trail is long, straight and dry as a bone, No puddles, no muck, Nothing but some ruts from some Bozos who rode it too early, but it isn't anything bad, and DNR will blade it in May some time.

But...don't go of of the sides! Just off the trail it is wet and mucky. Horses are not allowed on the side trail until May 15th. You shouldn't ride there either.

Even if we get rain tomorrow, it should dry off quickly again by the weekend.

Oh, and the breeze off the still-frozen lakes is COLD!

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans