TA Report West Rocks State Park

Date of Activity: 1/18/10 Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten Trail Ambassador Email: edperten@sbcglobal.net Town: New Haven Location: West Rock/Lake Wintergreen Trail(s) Ridden: A few How did you use the trail?: Mountain bike riding What was the time of day?: Late morning Duration (Hours): 1 Distance (Miles): A few Condition of Trail(s): Quite challenging Observations: The parking lot at Lake Wintergreen was a melting sheet of compressed ice. My feet started to slide out from under me. I walked down the small hill from the parking lot, not wanting to fall. A jogger informed me that once you get away from the parking lot, the trails are more leaf covered than snow/ice covered. I liked this information. The trails were wet snow, wet slushy ice covered, with the addition of another challenge, frozen, crunchy ground and frozen ruts. I cut the ride short due to the increased riding time due to the trail conditions. Once back at the parking lot, another vehicle pulled in. I remarked to the driver that the snow was not enough for skiing, and not great for riding. His response was why not ice fish, the ice was 9" thick. Only one fall on some loose gravel leading up to one of the many newly created bridges