Trail Conditions In Detail - Jail Trail

[ryno lite]

I figure a trail conditions thread is a good way to start out this new forum heading. So if you have up to date info on the trail conditions on the Jail Trail, please post up!

If you get a chance, get up to the Granite City and check this little gem out! We could also use a little write up describing the trail in the trail guide section. Anyway, I'd like to thank the Mid MN Cycling Club for building and maintaining this great trail!

[TML]

Fun trail!

I took these a few weeks ago (10/04/06).


http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/541/JailTrail0009.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/541/JailTrail0002.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/541/JailTrail0001.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/541/JailTrail0003.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/541/JailTrail0005.JPG

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/541/JailTrail0006.JPG


There's a few more in the Jail Trail gallery. Thanks Mid MN Cycling!

[KleinCrazy]

I have a GPS plot of what is there now that I am working on.

Last weekend, Summit weekend the trail was in great shape, though the leaves were very think on the trail.

The crew was also out putting in a new technical rock section about 1 mile long. Looks like it is going to be a blast.

Great trail.

[abloc]

This may or may not be the right place to ask this. But it kind of fits into this thread....

Can anyone tell me if night riding is allowed at the Jail Trail?

[KleinCrazy]

This may or may not be the right place to ask this. But it kind of fits into this thread....

Can anyone tell me if night riding is allowed at the Jail Trail?

Ummm..... sure? The Jail has BIG searchlights that light up the whole woods for us!!!!!

Actually I am not sure and I do not remember if there were hours listed on the sign at the trailhead.

[Ablumke]

I have heard that it would be cool to ride at night. I knwo I looked at the trail head sign and it didn't state it closed.

anybody down for a night ride next tuesday or thursday night?

[TML]

This may or may not be the right place to ask this. But it kind of fits into this thread....

Can anyone tell me if night riding is allowed at the Jail Trail?

Welcome to the morc forums Marc.

Best I could tell, there was nothing posted that indicated a closing time.

[JeffroB]

I have been riding there nights and have not had any issues. It is a great night ride.

[JeffroB]

Great pics Troy.
Glad to see I am not the only one still wearing the old Blast colors once in a while.

[sortastock]

so this thread has been dead for a while... just thought I'd throw an update out on the trail...

st cloud has got a lot of rain lately. 1.5 inches last night, and before that rain there was standing water in some places, so it's probably a good idea to let the trail dry out a little before running it.

[NCR]

Do and of you guys know about a Quarry park trail in St. Cloud? I have been out to the Quarries before to swim but I'm not sure what the biking is like. Is it single track?

[whitt_travis]

Rode it twice in the past few days... Dry and hard packed. Very nice technical ride.

[silvrum]

Mostly gravel double track, there is some older single track winding through the woods thats fun if you can find it. Work is being done on the mountain bike trail though I havn't been there in a while. There is a lot of granite out cropping and boulders to ride on if you like that technical stuff don't have any pictures of that though, just these.
http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/medium/quarries.jpg
http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/quarries2.jpg

[silvrum]

Do and of you guys know about a Quarry park trail in St. Cloud? I have been out to the Quarries before to swim but I'm not sure what the biking is like. Is it single track?
I forgot to quote you in my last post :etard:

[natehakensak]

Don't ride here yet, someone (me) blocked the entrances. The branches are there for a reason; the reason being there is still snow on trail along with standing water. :cryin:
Walked part of it this morning and jail trail was mud central. Go to Salem if it opens this week. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it'll be awhile longer. :banghead:

[BridgeR]

Any updates on the trail conditions? I was hoping that this past weekend dried things out.

[kyiabikes]

We opened up everything up to the pines. There are some downed trees and low hanging limbs so use caution if you ride there. Come to trail work on Saturday at 1 p.m. and we hope to get this all cleaned up. If we don't get too much rain maybe some work can be done and we can open up beyond the bridges.

[BridgeR]

Thanks for the info... I'll try to make it on Saturday.

[TheBlackKnight]

I will put a reminder in my Blackberry for this, I might still be at work, but I will try to make it.

[silvrum]

I think I can make there if you need any extra help. Should I bring some tools or anything?

[kyiabikes]

We have a lot of tools, human power is what we need most. Hope to see you there.

[neb32]

Curious why the ski trail is closed to bikes? I don't have any interest in riding it but some buddy might.

[DANW]

Curious why the ski trail is closed to bikes? I don't have any interest in riding it but some buddy might.

I've wondered that too. I have NO desire to ride down a grassy ski trail instead of a nice single track trail... Maybe I'm just weird? :D

[Standard]

I think it's mainly to keep the cross country skiers happy. The singletrack is plenty easy if you stay out of the expert sections. Even those aren't too tough. I wouldn't have a problem taking a beginner out on it.

Trail is in great shape, BTW. At least, the parts of it that are open. Didn't check past any of the taped off areas yesterday, but I'd ass-u-me they're still a bit muddy.

[peacecycle]

Yeh the trail is in great shape still a little muddy:banghead: by the swamp so only half of the trail is open but thats great:jumpy:

[TheBlackKnight]

I rode it this Saturday and overall it was pretty dece, the one part of the expert section is still muddy though, even though some of that is open.

[Standard]

Rode it today, and checked out the two flagged off areas. The first section is still pretty muddy, looks like it'll take a while to dry out. Rode up to the second flagged off area and somebody had ridden through the tape. Checked it out, but once I got a little ways in it looked too soft to keep going. I turned around and re-tied the tape, but it looks like quite a few people had already been through there. I'm assuming it was someone who didn't know any better and just rode through it, as any actual trail worker should have taken down all the tape and packed it out with them. It does look like the second section should be good to go by this weekend, but I'll leave the official judgement to the people that work the trail. If the tape is still up, please don't ride into those sections.

[kyiabikes]

The reason behind the "off limits" to bikers on the ski trail is because the ski club would like to keep a nice carpet of grass throughout the ski trail. The ski trail has some real wet spots throughout the season and that would make a big mess out of the nice grassy trail, also when someone rides a grassy section they tend to find the firmest spot and soon a single track trail will begin to form (note where we cross the ski trail there is a good rut already also note that the crossings run diagonal to the ski trail allowing for water to run off and not cause errosional issues down hill). If we were to have a single track on the ski trail in low snow seasons this path will require more snow and potentially cause problems with grooming equipment, tilling up dirt, dangerous ridges, etc. Also if you have noted there are a few good climbs on the ski trail and some serious tire ruts could cause some problems. So that is why the ski trail is OFF LIMITS to bicycles, so please let anyone or anybody know that is breaking the rules to please abide by the rules so we can have the opportunity to continue to ride the awesome single track that has required a lot of hard work for many dedicated individuals. In short do not ride on the ski trail, and do not ride or check out taped off areas.

[sworks2004]

I want to ride the jail trail on Tuesday 5/27. Will it be dry by then? Thanks.

[fitz]

I want to ride the jail trail on Tuesday 5/27. Will it be dry by then? Thanks.

It is open to ride now:banana:

[Standard]

So, both tonight and when I rode there on Thursday, I discovered the tape at the second section torn down. Looks like there's already been a lot of riding through there. I re-tied the tape on thursday, but there wasn't able to re-tie it today, been stretched a bit too far.

Again, I'm assuming that it isn't officialy open, as someone who actually works on the trail should pack out all the tape if that section is open, instead of just tearing it. If I'm wrong, and it is a trail worker or someone who is at least authorized to do it, please post it up here. I wouldn't mine riding a bit more of the trail as it's a short loop right now..

Also, since when was it ok to park in the grass by the trailhead?

[grendel]

I rode it friday night and there seemed to have open more of the trail. It was towards the end of the first loop. the first bunch of tape was still there and the new sections had no tape there at all. and a couple more expert off shots were open and labeled. But would be nice for some one to post when more is opened.

[Nik]

Any word on the condition of the trail after the rains this weekend

[beccahakensak]

The trail is in great shape! All appropriate tape is down. The newest expert section on the most northern side is still closed but everything else is open and fast. Watch out for stray branches at helmet level and a family of fox who appreciate their space.

[Nik]

Rode it tonite, a fallen tree on one part of the trail that we walked around but other than that was super fun great trail conditions.
A big thanks to all of those that keep this up.
Nik

[grendel]

There is a large tree that fell over part of the trail, you can get around it fairly easily.

[BanHammer]

How much more of the trail has been opened up? Probably gonna ride sunday around 5-6ish.

[Standard]

How much more of the trail has been opened up? Probably gonna ride sunday around 5-6ish.

don't worry, you'll be behind me the whole time anyways :banana:

[BridgeR]

I noticed a Specialized Rockhopper frame hanging in a tree and a couple water bottles prior to that... assuming it's not there for decoration. Anyone get one stolen recently?

I also saw the family of fox... surprised I got as close as I did (unintentionally of course).

[BanHammer]

don't worry, you'll be behind me the whole time anyways :banana:

Thats because I will be about to lap you. :jumpy:

[kyiabikes]

The large amount of rain last night has caused the trails to be super wet. Kris rode the N. Loop this morning and closed the last half of the trail system. It is super wet beyond the tape. Thanks! It will be fully re opened weather depending.

Clinic will still go on the first half of the trail on Monday night.

[DANW]

I noticed a Specialized Rockhopper frame hanging in a tree and a couple water bottles prior to that... assuming it's not there for decoration. Anyone get one stolen recently?

I also saw the family of fox... surprised I got as close as I did (unintentionally of course).

The frame was there last year too.

[neb32]

Lost my biking buddy due to injury. Looking for someone to go rip tonight or sometime this week in cloud. Not sure on trail conditions.

[grendel]

I was planning to go out to the jail trail tues and help with plumb creek on wed after 6pm both nights. just message me on the boards.
Tracey

[Nik]

Rode this today, and the back is closed off as I assume it is pretty wet.
The front half was pretty dry with an isolated wet spot.
There is a tree down across the trail on the firs quarter of the trail so heads up.

[neb32]

I was planning to go out to the jail trail tues and help with plumb creek on wed after 6pm both nights. just message me on the boards.
Tracey

Got time to ride this weekend??

[BanHammer]

Anyone know if/when the rest of the trail is going to be opened up?

[kyiabikes]

A few brave souls went out last night and got some mowing and whipping done. Basically all of the trail is open. A little bit of mowing yet to do but ride able. Some wet spots for short sections, please do not widen the trail if there is a puddle.

If you ride at this trail please pick up a membership form at the trail head or log onto www.midmncycling.org (http://www.midmncycling.org) and print out a form and send it in with your check. We need your help to keep the trail going. As an example last night we broke a weed whip and this will cost some money to fix. So if you use the trail help those that are braving the mosquitos by having equipment and appropriate refreshments for the job. THANKS!!

[BanHammer]

Sweet I can't wait to see what the rest of the trail is like.