George C Waldo State Park

Date: 12/28/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Fine: leafy, some small branches

Observations/Information: Quick AM ride: WW -> Daffy -> Hunters -> WW -> Daffy (other end) -> Hunters -> Fire Road and done.

Before

Someone's been doing some skidding, as evidenced by kicked-up leaves here and there.

TM consisted of tossing branches off trail, except for a tree that came down with the canopy directly atop one of the stone wall crossings on the west side of Daffy. I cut it back sufficiently it's no longer impeding the trail.

(The log across the eastern end of Daffy is still there, and it looks like someone has added to the ramping.)

Saw one other rider on the way out (and lent my pump).

After

Next trip in I should probably do some lopping - I kept getting hit in the glasses by some pesky little branches. Also, post-thaw we'll probably need to address some of the stone wall crossings, as some have loose/wobbly stones.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Where's Waldo, Daffy Duck, Hunter's, Fire Road
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 1 (including TM)
Approximate Distance (Miles): 3

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 12/5/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford/Beacon Falls
Trail Conditions: Naugalicious

Observations/Information: I wanted to get a gander at Tom's handiwork rerouting the end of Red back onto state land, so this morning's ride was @ Naugy West Block.

Since I hadn't been on it in some time, I decided to take the (unblazed) trail that runs down the west side of Res 3. Where it hangs the right, there's a tree down (too big for my hand tools). The first (northernmost) stream crossing used to have rocks such that it was theoretically rideable (albeit not by me). Not anymore - crossed on foot. The second (the washed-out culvert where the old truck used to be) has always been nasty and muddy to cross. The rest of that trail (down to the Res 3 dam) is still plenty prickery and full of pine litter from the logging that happened there, but nothing an afternoon work session couldn't fix.

I crossed the dam and headed south, making my way around #2 to Purple. A little ways past the right turn another tree is down, and has been there long enough a braid has formed (which the motorized guys have successfully made into a rutted mess).

The southeast terminus of Red is now successfully back in the state forest. Be forewarned there are a couple of sharp corners on that trail.

TM = not much (maybe a branch or two). Stopped to take some pictures.

Other users: one walker, and a hunter who had parked next to me @ the Res 4 lot (no luck today). Tis the season so be sure to wear blaze. (TA jersey and blaze camo BDU trousers for me.)



Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Various colors
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): :50 (including TM such that it was and photos)
Approximate Distance (Miles): 3.73

George C Waldo State Park

Date: 12/4/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Leafy/twiggy but otherwise fine

Observations/Information: This morning was the first "for real" singletrack ride since The Crash. (And yes, I made it a point to err on the side of caution and walk anything I wasn't absolutely sure I could handle without dumping it.) Rode Where's Waldo (red) beginning to end, and the fire road back. Bike = Kona Wo.

TM consisted of kicking the odd branch off trail, and then at the bottom of Waldo just in from the fire road, there was an old, dead cedar with its pointy branches perilously close to the trail, such that someone coming down the hill and losing it could have been impaled. I cut the top off, pulled the rest further off trail, and knocked off some of the nastier pointys.

Word of caution: there's a big pile of horse poop right in the middle of the trail shortly after the eastern (i.e. the first, if riding from the parking lot) intersection with Daffy.

There's still a broken board on the little bridge at the bottom of Hunter's. Really, all of them should probably be replaced. I might ask Paula's permission to do so.

Nobody but me and the squirrels in evidence, though there was another truck in the parking lot.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Where's Waldo, Fire Road
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): :45 including TM
Approximate Distance (Miles): 2.9

Larkin State Bridle Trail

Date: 11/21/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Larkin State Bridle Trail
Town: Southbury/Oxford
Trail Conditions: Leafy

Observations/Information: Okay, it was a ride so trivial as not to be worth making a TA report... except it was my first time on two wheels since the crash in August, so it's cause for celebration.

I took the Wo on the Larkin from Southford to Christian Street and back (a whopping four miles round trip). Line was wobbly, legs and lungs working more than I expected. No speed records were broken, and the most "technical" thing I had to do was dodge "road apples" (it IS a bridle trail, after all). No matter - I'm officially back! (That said, I thoroughly expect to get a lecture @ physical therapy on Monday.)

Yes, backwards (I was in front of the bike)

TM = none. One item of note: at least the ones I came to, the road crossings now feature little stop signs (which weren't there my last trip through a few months ago).

Many joggers in evidence but no other bikes while I was there.

http://www.mapmytracks.com/explore/activity/1982776

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 0:30
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4

Hop River State Rail Trail

Date: Sept. 27, 2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Hop River State Rail Trail
Town: Manchester-Coventry
Trail Conditions: Good

Observations/Information: I led a group of 10 people along nearly the entire trail from Colonial Road in Manchester to Kings Road in Coventry. I have not ridden the eastern section of the trail in a few years and I was pleased to see the improvements. Previously the stone dust surface ended at Burnap Brook Road, leaving a bumpy ride the rest of the way on the trail. Now the stone dust extends almost to Hop River Road in Coventry (ending at the wooden bridge over the Hop River). The last three miles were rough with many loose stone and a bouncy ride, even on a mountain bike. Some of us avoided the rough section by riding back on Rts. 66 and 6 to Hop River Road. These roads mostly have a wide shoulder, but lots of cars whizzing by. The stone dust in Vernon and Andover looked fairly fresh. Watch out for a sandpit near the gate by Wales Road and another crossing.

Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak123 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Hop River Rail Trail
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 40
Image Description(s)/Instructions:

West Rock Ridge SP

Date: Aug. 15, 2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: West Rock Ridge SP
Town: Hamden
Trail Conditions: Dry and rideable

Observations/Information: I rode the Red and White Trails around Lake Wintergreen and then the Red Trail north to the gravel road, then took the left on the Red-White Trail and followed that down to the Hill Street parking lot, and looped back on the road. This summer I reblazed both Red-White Trails at West Rock, plus the Red Trail by Lake Wintergreen, and that included a pruning back of these trails, so they are in good shape. The Red Trail north of Lake Wintergreen definitely needs a haircut and a shave because it has not gotten one in a year. I did stop and clear a few small blowdowns that were blocking the trail. The trail is open to riding, but you may find yourself brushing against leaves and branches here and there. There was a brush fire on Aug. 14 in the open field near Farm Brook Reservoir that made WTNH news. See photo. As Smokey the Bear always warned us, "Only you can prevent forest fires." Fortunately, only grass and weeds were burned and they are already growing back. Needless to say, the trails are dry and firm everywhere. I added a suggested series of loops on the website I created at the park: http://westrocktrails.blogspot.com/p/bicycling-cross-country-skiing-and.html

Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak123 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Red, White, Red-White
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 2
Approximate Distance (Miles): 8
Image 1: West Rock brush fire, 8-15.jpg
Image Description(s)/Instructions: An area of grasslands in the open field by Farm Brook Reservoir at West Rock Ridge State Park burned on Aug. 14, 2015.

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 7/16/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford/Beacon Falls
Trail Conditions: Naugy-good + some brambles

Observations/Information: I got an early start this morning and decided to do the Naugy (West Block) ride. Triple loop this time: my normal double loop (see video below the fold) followed by a trip down the piney mess (and now brambly, as well) trail west of Res 3, around Res 2 (counterclockwise), then back up and out.

From prior ride

The little warmup loop and the trip up the east side of #4 was uneventful. Coming down toward #2, the stream by the power lines was really the only wet spot during the entire ride. On making the (clockwise first) ride around #2 towards #1, I encountered the tree across trail (seen in earlier rides) east side of #2, right near the trail that heads out east through the mucky rock garden then up the hill towards the eastern edge of the state forest property. The tree is too big for my hand saw, so there it sits.

Housatonic Rail Trail

Date: June 14, 2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Housatonic Rail Trail
Town: Trumbull-Monroe-Bridgeport
Trail Conditions: Hard packed and dry (and paved in places)

Observations/Information: I led a ride on the Housatonic Rail Trail in Trumbull, Monroe, and the new section in Bridgeport for Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club. The trail conditions are generally good with hard packed stone dust in Monroe, and in the Pequonnock Valley in Trumbull. The trail is paved in Bridgeport, and parts of Trumbull. There is the usual loose gravel by Victorinox (Swiss Army) in Monroe and by Northbrook Condominiums, but even the people on road bikes did okay with that. At Wolfe Park, the "security" guard insisted we use the bike racks, instead of leaning our bikes against the wall. GPX track and map: http://ridewithgps.com/trips/5123785

Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak123 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Housatonic Rail Trail
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 3.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 28
Image 1: Housatonic Rail Trail group, 6-15.JPG
Image Description(s)/Instructions: The photo is taken on the Housatonic Rail Trail at the Newtown border.

Larkin State Bridle Trail

At the Route 63 terminus

Date: 6/7/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Larkin State Bridle Trail
Town: Oxford/Middlebury/Naugatuck/Southbury
Trail Conditions: OK - a couple wet areas

Observations/Information: I had too much wine last night 8^) thus I figured what the doctor ordered would be a longish (for me) ride... so Tour de Larkin it was.

Rode up to the Riggs Street crossing, right on the trail and out to Route 63, turn around and head all the way in the other direction to Kettletown Road, then back to Riggs Street and home.

The first wet patch encountered was just east of Towantic Pond (where it tends to pond on the trail every spring). That wasn't bad compared to the mucky mess on the Towantic Hill Road to Longmeadow segment. The western part was mud; just after, a healthy stream was running down the middle of the trail (eventually exiting to the right).

At about the midpoint between South St and Wooster Rd is a hungup blowdown, with the leafy tree canopy in the trail. It's ride-underable (albeit with a helmet thwap) but I can't imagine it'll make the equestrians happy.

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 6/4/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford/Beacon Falls
Trail Conditions: Mostly par for Naugy; couple atypical wet spots

Observations/Information: I decided my Thursday AM ride would be seeing if the big rains had done any (additional) damage @ Naugy (West Block).

Standard "Reservoir Tour" - warmup loop followed by east side of #4, down to the bypass trail, under the power lines to #2, around 2 and 1, up to 3, across the dam then back to 4 and out.

The usual wet spots (past the big rock east of #4, and under the power lines) were, of course, wet. The east side of Res 1 tends not to drain well, so given the big rains it was wet in places where it normally isn't.

Tree down (again) across the fire road on the west side of #2. On the trail up to #3, the rip-rap crossing where the double culvert used to be is definitely trying to silt in.

TM = kicking branches off trail and some lopping.

(Pano up top shows where the big rains came down the trail, drained off to the side and pushed the leaves out of the way.)

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): :50 (including TM and photos)
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4.1
Image Description(s)/Instructions:

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: May 3, 2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Hamden
Trail Conditions: Unknown, but probably dry

Observations/Information: The Naugatuck State Forest in Hamden backs into Brooksvale Park, a Hamden town park. The status of mountain biking has been problematic in Brooksvale Park at times. The accompanying photo in the parking lot of Brooksvale Park on Brooksvale Avenue pretty much answers the question: stay out on mountain bikes. On a positive note, I hope to find the time this summer to reblaze the White and Yellow trails in the state forest. I reblazed White and did the first blazing of Yellow in July 2010 and they are due for an update.

Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador E-mail: bikehikekayak123 [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
How did you use the trail? Other
Trails Ridden: None
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 0
Image 1: Brooksvale Park sign, 5-15.jpg
Image Description(s)/Instructions: This sign is in the parking lot at Brooksvale Park in Hamden.

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 5/10/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford (and a tiny bit of Beacon Falls)
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry (ample branch litter)

Observations/Information: Quick, foggy ride first thing this morning in Naugy West Block.

Usual warm-up loop plus reservoir tour.

Mostly dry, except the usual muddy spot just north of the big rock, and the wet patch by the power line crossing. A lot of the wet spots I observed the last time through were dry.

Before

TM of note (other than kicking branches off trail): old rotted log had fallen across the fire road just east of the Res 3 dam. It was small enough after trimming a branch that was digging in, I could lift one end and swing it out of the way.

After

Other users: birder by Res 4.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 0:55 (incl TM)
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4.1

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 5/3/15
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, some irresponsible riding

Observations/Information: Took a short spin at Wadsworth Falls last Saturday. It was a sunny weekend afternoon and one had to deal with the motley assortment of walkers and their (mostly unleashed) dogs. They were out in strength, especially on the main trails and you have to watch out for them.

The trails were dry and impressively clear- just some thorn grow-in on the side trail to the school in Rockfall. These are well-maintained trails. Unfortunately I noticed some evidence of irresponsible riding- trail braiding, skidding, and fall line chutes along the RR tracks. I'll monitor that.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernes@gmail.com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Pink, yellow, red, white,yellow/black, unmarked
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6.0
Image 1: Blow Hole 050915 002.JPG

Rockland Preserve

Date: 4/28/15
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Rockland Preserve
Town: Madison
Trail Conditions: Awesome

Observations/Information: I hosted a SLAW (SLow After Work)ride at Rockland Tuesday night and got 4 participants to come with me. We started at the Rt.79 lot and went up the south side of East Loop- the standard route most riders take. We then rode up to the summit station, did Mary's Ghost, the first part of Thunderdome, then Dirt Church, and Darkside. We rode back down to the parking lot the same way we rode up- the southern portion of East Loop. I rarely ride down that trail but it's a fun descent.

The trails were all in great shape, dry, and free of blowdowns or stick litter. I continue to be amazed at how well these trails are holding up considering the use they get, and I attribute that to two things- good design and responsible riding. People stay out when it's wet or muddy and the trails benefit. Thanks to everyone who does that.

All in all a great ride on awesome trails.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: East Loop, Mary's Ghost, Thunderdome, Dirt Church, Darkside
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6

River Highlands State Park

Date: 4/25/15
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: River Highlands State Park
Town: Cromwell
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, some stick litter

Observations/Information: Quick after work ride at River Highlands on Saturday. Trails are in good shape and dry, no evidence of recent rain, although I didn't ride green through the swamp. Even the top of yellow is bone dry. Two trees down on the double track section of red, both passable. Recent wind has brought down a lot of sticks, twigs, and limbs. I cleared what I could. Deep leaf layer on the windless trails while trails on the ridges are blown bare. Floods have receded from the blow hole, leaving a new batch of debris behind. As usual, watch out for "pollutantus caninus" (dog doo) in and around the parking lot.


Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Green, red, white, blue, yellow
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6.6
Image 1: Blow Hole 042515 019.JPG

Naugatuck State Forest

Duck on Res 2

Date: 4/26/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford/Beacon Falls
Trail Conditions: Varied

Observations/Information: Since it's likely to be my last for awhile due to impending sinus surgery, I figured this morning's early AM ride should be a loop up top in Naugy (West Block), especially since I haven't been up there since the weather stopped my work on my logging brush cleanup project last December.

Started at Res 4, and made my usual little warmup loop before heading up the east side of 4 to the (up top) power lines, out to the beaver pond, down the fire road to the first branch, south to the left turn that runs past the junk car and out to the power lines overlooking Beacon Falls, then continuing down to the east side of Res 2, loop around, up to #3, up the east side and back to #4.

The places that are usually wet were (e.g. just north of the big rock east of #4), and some places that usually aren't were as well. The big mud patch under the power lines up top was big enough to make finding a dry footpath past it tricky. There was a little stream running down the trail next to the beaver pond, and a surprising number of wet spots on the fire road branch. The muddy rock garden east of #2 was, of course, a muddy rock garden. (Carried the bike through or around all this wetness, of course, stepping gingerly. I wish I could say the ATVs and dirt bikes showed the same degree of care.)

Hike-a-bike was up the (still) steep-n-ruff, and down the steep & rocky east of #2. Stopped several and many times to clear branches - some of which were fairly sizeable (but none requiring tools) - and moved one small fallen tree off-trail. Had to stop for a bit to fix my seatpost.

Other users: father of a friend from grammar school walking his dog, and a fisherman on #4.

Good Morning Beacon Falls!

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 2 (incl. TM, fixing seatpost, photos)
Approximate Distance (Miles): 5.8

George C Waldo State Park

Date: 4/24/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry

Observations/Information: First light ride this morning @ Waldo.

Took WW out to Hunter's, down to Daffy, to its western terminus at WW, back to Hunter's, down to Daffy (again), then the other way on Daffy to its eastern terminus @ WW, then back up and out to the parking lot. Thus all WW ridden except the segment down to the beach, all Daffy ridden, and only the southern half of Hunter's.

(The gate's open BTW, so no more having to park at the road.)

Mostly good riding. A couple mucky patches on Daffy where that tends to happen.

Some trail work going on WW up the hill from the parking lot.

TM = kicking branches off trail, plus lopped a couple of eye-pokers.

No other users in evidence the entire time I was there.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Where's Waldo, Daffy Duck, Hunter's
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 1
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4.25

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 4/19/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Oxford (and a tiny bit of Beacon Falls)
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry

Observations/Information: First ride of the season on regular tires in Naugy West Block.

Did my usual little warmup loop, then decided to head down the west side of Res 3, counter-clockwise loop around #2, then back up the east side of #3.

Trails are mostly dry, except the stream crossings and surrounds - especially the crossing by the washed-out culvert where the old truck used to be, where the banks are a bit mucky. (Then again, I made it a point to avoid the places that tend to be wet, e.g. the Camaro trail, or the power line crossing north of #2.)

There's a tree down just south of Res 4 on the west side trail, a bit too big for my hand tools. The piney mess west of Res 3 seems to have more branches in it than I remember, and I spent ten minutes clearing a downed tree - 6-7 incher - with hand tools (leaving me sufficiently knackered I dragged through the rest of the ride).

It looks like the rip-rap crossing where the double culvert used to be is trying to silt in.

Maybe it's my imagination, but it felt like there were more loose stones than I remember.

Other users = a couple joggers and a family walking a couple of goldens.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 1:05 (including TM)
Approximate Distance (Miles): 3 1/3

Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 4/18/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown, CT
Trail Conditions: Good for the most part

Observations/Information: The mud hole near the parking lot at Echo Valley is back and I found out the hard way that the water is cold and dirty.

Further up the Brody, it's wet and will probably stay way until summer.

The Gussy, however, was golden. 

Even looks like someone re-armored one of the stream crossing.

Quillinan Reservoir

Date: 4/13/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Quillinan Reservoir
Town: Seymour/Ansonia
Trail Conditions: Use Caution (mostly firm, but some wet spots)

Observations/Information: Saturday afternoon I happened to be in the neighborhood, so stopped in to Quillinan for a quick walk around to get some idea of the status of the trails. They seemed to be, for the most part, firm but tacky (but with evidence of some earlier too-soon riding on two wheels but especially four hooves - see below).

Sunday I took a quick prelim ride: Rimmon lot, down past the double-logover, up the hill to orange, up past the (second) teepee to purple, then winding down back to the lot.

This morning I made a bigger loop: down the fire road all the way to the reservoir, the up the outermost (?? I'd guess you'd call it) Purple, all the way back around to the lot. Most of Purple has been leaf-blown fairly recently. On both rides, I took the Wo so whatever impact I'd have would be minimal.

The streams are running, of course (albeit not particularly hard), and as the first crossing south of the parking lot isn't armored, I carry over it, using the stepping stones. The first (and biggest) mucky patch encountered is on the fire road shortly to the south of that, just after the fork. It appears the culvert there is plugged and water has come over the trail. It's wet for 20-30 feet or better.

The rock armoring of the stream crossing just below the logged area (i.e. the beginning of the gnarly section) is holding nicely, but the approaches are wet as are some patches in that section.  (Advice would be to avoid going down that way for now.)

The wet seems to be mostly isolated to the fire roads (and gnarly section), as opposed to the new singletrack. Copious horse prints, even on the singletrack (and in that cliffside rock feature up top that I'm too chicken to ride, one left a horse-sized "calling card" so be advised). Horse impact definitely has bike impact easily beat.

TM = cleared some branches (not as many as I expected, though). One car in the lot as I left, but didn't see anyone, but it was first thing in the morning.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Fire Road, Purple
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 1:15
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4