When is the trail dry?

[Whatsmymantra?]

What is the criteria for open or closed trails? I've heard that the test is if the tire leaves an imprint, but what about this?
Trail X is 5 miles long. There are 5 spots 10 ft long where there are drainage problems. The rest of the trail is hard enough that tires do not leave an imprint. Should trail X be open or closed?
If open should a rider go around or through the middle of the puddles.
If closed should trail be rerouted to miss the puddle or should better drainage be created for the 5 spots or keep the trail closed?

[manual63]

It is complex sometimes. My suggestion would be to trust the judgement of those who are in charge of the trails. Keep in mine, we are just as anxious as everyone else to ride the trails. We have experience and know when to close or open a trail. We don't close trails and keep them closed to annoy riders who want to ride, we do it to save the trail from getting damage and save us who work on them a lot of work. The less work we do repairing trails, the more work we can do adding more exciting improvement......:)...which is the best part.

So please hang in there a few more weeks. Some trails are starting to open. For more info about trails and how to maintain and build them and reasons on why we do what we do, please refer to the IMBA (http://www.imba.com/) website. There is a lot of info there. Thank you.

[manual63]

What is the criteria for open or closed trails? I've heard that the test is if the tire leaves an imprint, but what about this?
Trail X is 5 miles long. There are 5 spots 10 ft long where there are drainage problems. The rest of the trail is hard enough that tires do not leave an imprint.
Should trail X be open or closed?
The trail steward for the given trial decides this based on what they know or want to deal with.

If open should a rider go around or through the middle of the puddles.
The best thing to do would be to get off the bike and walk it. But walking can cause just as much damage. Going around a muddy spot widens the trail and we don't want that either. So use your best judgement.

If closed should trail be rerouted to miss the puddle or should better drainage be created for the 5 spots or keep the trail closed?
Armoring a soft/wet spot is the best option. This can be done with rocks, which is best, wood, and in severe cases a boardwalk like Salem has. This depends on the trail and how well it's maintained. But reguardless, it is the riders responsibility to tread lightly.

[Trevize1138]

Trail X is 5 miles long. There are 5 spots 10 ft long where there are drainage problems. The rest of the trail is hard enough that tires do not leave an imprint. Should trail X be open or closed?

I would say if you're talking today the trail should definitely not be open because the soft spots are likely caused by underground thaw. Even if you're talking July 22, though, 5 spots 10 ft long that are basically water/mud spots would still mean closed trail, I'd say. Not only that, but a trail in desperate need of maintenance, reworking, reouting, armoring or whatever needs done to make those 5 spots dry up as quick as the rest of the trail.

[Whatsmymantra?]

I think you guys took my post the wrong way. I was not making any judgements, was not complaining about trails being closed, just trying to learn something. In the old days we were taught to go through the middle of a puddle. I asked for advice and criteria.

Instead here is what I got from Shad who usually has good info.

"trust the judgement of those who are in charge"

Glad to see you thought better and posted again.

"Armoring a soft/wet spot is the best option"

Are you sure?

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/rock_armoring.html

"always preferable to create a sustainable re-route around a problem trail section"

and

"It would be foolish to spend the time to armor a trail if water drainage issues haven't been effectively addressed"

So perhaps it was a good question.

[jitterjepp]

I think you guys took my post the wrong way. I was not making any judgements, was not complaining about trails being closed, just trying to learn something. In the old days we were taught to go through the middle of a puddle. I asked for advice and criteria.

Instead here is what I got from Shad who usually has good info.

"trust the judgement of those who are in charge"

Glad to see you thought better and posted again.

"Armoring a soft/wet spot is the best option"

Are you sure?

http://www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/rock_armoring.html

"always preferable to create a sustainable re-route around a problem trail section"

and

"It would be foolish to spend the time to armor a trail if water drainage issues haven't been effectively addressed"

So perhaps it was a good question.
I think the IMBA site also says something about getting involved (helping with trail work) Your help and input will be greatly appreciated when it starts. If you already do this it will be appreciated just as much too. Some of those rocks weigh 500 lbs. We need help. Many of us who have been riding places like Wirth for over ten years still go out every spring and help get things ready as often as we can. We have jobs, kids, family gatherings, other interests.... just like everyone else but we still get there when we can and those who show up and show up the most and speak up are the ones who have the most effect on trail issues.

[Buck]

Lars,
Best way to go through wet spots and prevent trail creep is by going straight through the middle of it!
L8Rz
Buck

[ppgc]

Lars,
Best way to go through wet spots and prevent trail creep is by going straight through the middle of it!
L8Rz
Buck

If they are shorter bunny hop 'em. At 10' or less you don't need a heck of a lot of speed to clear one of those. ;)

-pete

[FSSS]

Trail X is 5 miles long. There are 5 spots 10 ft long where there are drainage problems. The rest of the trail is hard enough that tires do not leave an imprint. Should trail X be open or closed?

IMO it depends on what is meant by "drainage problems" - are we talking about standing water, or just soft tread?

If it is a trail design problem (an area that is consistently wet) and rarely gets dry, I wouldn't feel bad riding the trail.

If it was something that given a day or two will dry up nicely, personally I would wait.


Lars - I think this is a very good question. Often times it is up to riders to make the call because the trail conditions haven't been updated... not as much of a problem when it comes to places like Leb or Theo, but definitely an issue for some of the less used/monitored trails.



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