Trail Conditions

Trails closed due to warmer temps and rain, caused from global warming, greenhouse effect, depleting ozone layer or maybe because it's the end of March.  Whatever you choose to go by, it all means the same thing, we're done riding until next winter (at least around here).

Mother nature is teasing us with the cool weather and occasional snow flake here and there.  The trails are just about totally gone from what I can see driving around the roads where trails cross the roads.  If you just bought a sled late in the season and haven't ridden it yet, you can either take it out now and burn off a set of carbides and chance overheating it, or do like I did in 97 and put on 50 miles over the summer one lap around the house at a time.  Trails are not officially closed yet, but we're not far from it.

Just when we thought the snow was all gone and we were done for the season, we get another dusting of snow that covers everything again.  With the last couple of warm days and sun, the snows been melting like the hair on a pig at a pig roast.  I've not seen the trails over the last few days, but I can see that there's still snow covering my yard (except where I plow it) and the current snow fall has covered that up as well.  I'm going to take a wild guess that the trails are going to be rough going with some bare spots and wet areas and I know that the roads are bare as well so good luck.

Caution! Important trail information:

Hi Mark. I don’t know if it makes a difference now with the weather the way it is, but just before you get to Jones road, coming from Peck/Bliley road, the trail was groomed, and somebody logged the woods and really made a mess, so it could be dangerous if you come up on it too fast.

Snow is still around. Reports are that there was grooming going on Sunday night on the North trail (44) from Mark Rd. to Raymond Rd.  I went out last night on my own sled and found out that the main trail 4 was in need of a good grooming as well.  If you ride a newer type sled (2000 or newer) you'd probably say the trails were good, even though they hadn't been groomed yet, but on my older 97 (xtra-10 Polaris with bad shocks), I can say that the trail needed groomed.  I can't get out myself tonight and haven't heard if anyone else was going to yet, but we'll try to get someone out before it's too late.  If you find it rough or just partially rough at least it snow for now anyway.

Snow is falling with a vengeance.  It appears as though old Jack Frost is not ready to give up yet.  After yesterdays 60+ temps and sunshine, I thought it was all over, but we've already received a good 6 - 8 inches of snow today and more is expected over night tonight and all day tomorrow.  This looks like we'll have another weekend to enjoy the sleds and winter beauty.  Please use caution in the trails as the ice storm earlier this week may have dropped a few branches in the trails.  If you find a blocked trail, please let us know so that we can clear it and make it safe to ride.

Wow, I woke up to a good foot or more of fresh power this morning.  Kind of sucked having to go to work and know that I wasn't even going to get to ride in it today.   The heavy snow from Tuesday makes an excellent base for this powder and I'll venture to say, that this will be probably be the best riding for this year, so get out while you can.  Not sure if anyone has taken the groomers out today or not, but I'm hoping to ride one tomorrow.

I know it's been a few days since the last update, but I've been busy and there hasn't been much of a change, unless I changed it daily.  Anyway, we've got some additional snow over night last night and again today, which totals up to about an extra 7 or so inches of heavy snow (the real nice packing stuff).  Of course that could have been where the dog was going too, but it's still snow, yellow or not.  The side roads are covered and I hear my neighbors going up and down the road without the sounds of scratching metal, so that's a good sign too.  If this keeps up over night tonight we should be able to get out and groom again.  I know that the snow was pretty thin in the trails which keeps the moguls to a smaller size, but this type of snow will change that in a hurry.  Get out and enjoy as this snow may not be around for long.

Well we did get some snow over the last couple of days but not enough for me to ride on.  It hasn't stopped many of other though.  The trails in woods are mostly packed powder with occasional spots of frozen bare ground.  Since we didn't get enough snow to get the groomers out, there will be some choppy areas too, but should be too bad since there's not much snow to make big moguls.  Looks like we may get another inch or two over the weekend, but no real amounts of accumulation expected.

Now snow!  Temps made it up to almost 40 with a wet snow / rain today which melted off what little snow we had.  Lake effect snow are predicted for Sunday with temps in the teens, but once again we'll believe it when we see it.  For now, sit back and enjoy a quite Sunday at home with the family or take in a movie.

Expected 1 - 3 inches over night and actually received about 1/2 an inch.  More cold and snow is forecasted for the next couple of days, but we'll see what really happens and I'll let you know.  As of right now the trails are not rideable yet, but with more cold and snow we may be able to get out again.

Snow's all gone for now.  Two days of rain and 50 degree temps took care of it all.  Let's hope that the new storm coming this way on the weekend brings some good snow.

It's half time during the Super Bowl and there's not enough snow to ride so I'm updating the web.  As I stated not enough snow to ride and the next few days don't look like they're going to be any better.  Don't know if there'll even be any snow in the trails by next weekend from the looks of things, but we'll try to keep you updated as changes occur.  Gotta go, just about to kick off the 2nd half.  

Another disappointing weather forecast.  Winter storm warning turned into nothing more than a small amount of freezing rain.  There is a very light snow fall now, but nothing that will help the trails.  I haven't seen the trails since last weekend, but I can see the grass poking in in my yard which is normally not a good sign.  If you're thinking of trying to ride, be prepared to wash your sled when you get back.  As for the next couple of days, there's nothing big planned so take this time to do any last minute repairs or catch up on the latest movies with you're mate.

Well, we can tell it's Erie by the changing weather.  Yesterday was near fifty and occasional rain which melted much of the snow.  Today cold and winter storm warnings for the overnight.  It was calling for 1 - 3 inches of snow today but we didn't get it, although we didn't loose anymore either.  If we get this snow tonight and tomorrow, it looks like it might be around for the weekend, but you can never tell around here.  As for the trails today, you'd find little snow covering the trails and with the warm weather yesterday, we were not able to groom so they'd be a little choppy still.  Check back tomorrow or Friday and I'll see if we can get someone to groom (providing we get a little more snow).

What a beautiful weekend it was.  Friday and Saturday were excellent.  Poker run was on Saturday and trails were great (to start with anyway).  Yesterday was a little choppy in spots, but since we didn't have tons of snow piled up the moguls didn't get that big.  There are a few spots were the snows gone and you ride on the frozen ground (mainly just tight turns) but as soon as we get someone to run over it with the groomers, that should clear that up.  With the temps up a little yesterday and again today and expected to be up again tomorrow with a chance of rain too, we can expect that the trails are going to be thin and wet.  Grooms are scheduled to be out tomorrow late morning so if you're out ride. please be cautious. 

Snow of plenty.  We received about 6 more inches of snow over night last night and early today.  Trail grooming efforts have begun and one group was out yesterday and hit the section of the main trail 4 between Tate and Mark Rd.  Being that this was their maiden voyage they didn't go as far as usual, but they are ready to go.  I finally was able to get out myself for a short run tonight and picked up trail 44 from Tate to just past Kuhl rd and it is now in need of some flattening too.  So guess what we'll be doing tomorrow.  With the Poker Run on coming up on Saturday we'll be out most of tomorrow, day and night so please be cautious.  

Almost forgot, trails are hard packed but the sides of the roads are still a little bare in spots, so make sure you've got some metal (or carbide) under the ski's. 

More snow today, we're on a roll now.  We only got a couple of inches but it's better than nothing, or loosing it.  Trail as reported from from a member that was out on Sunday, is that the trails are covering and are ready to start grooming.  We are in the process of getting the grooming groups together and will hit the trails either tomorrow or Thursday so be cautious if blinking lights in the trails as you may find yourself running into a grooming friend.

Wow!! Saturday night we had an additional 6 inches and then at least another 10 on Sunday and a couple more last night and today, which adds up to over 2 feet of snow since Friday night.  However, not all areas received the same amount of accumulation, some even got more!!  With all this snow I must admit that I have not been able to get out to give you details of the trail conditions, nor has anyone sent me any info yet, but I'll bet that regardless of the total accum, I'll bet it's still nice to finally get out.  With continued snow in the forecast we're going to be getting the groomers out and trying to keep up with the trails so that we can enjoy the Poker Run on Saturday.  If you have any trail info please send it on to me.

A good 8+ inches have fallen so far today and another 6 is expected for tonight.  It's all been a light powder so it'll blow off the trails unless you go slow to pack it down.  Please remember to go slow and easy your first trip out as some trails have changed a little and there may also be lingering debris.  If you do find something that you can't move on you own, please let us know so that we can get to it before someone gets hurt.  

Game lands will officially open tomorrow (1/19). This snow and cold keeps up over then next few days as forecasted, we'll be out on grommers by next weekend.  

Good news today, the temps didn't get as warm as they said, nor did we get the rain they were predicting.  We didn't get any additional accumulation today but we didn't loose any either.  Looks like the next few days are going to get cold and drop some snow too.  The Poker Run was officially rescheduled for next week which will give us time to get some quality snow and improve the chances for a successful Poker Run.  Please remember to be cautious on your first ride as there may still be some debris in the trails from the wind storms from last week.

Still sitting with the same coverage we had on Tuesday (most of the grass is covered).  Temps are expected to rise tomorrow with a chance of wet snow or rain then drop again on Friday, but doesn't look like there'll be enough snow to ride on by Friday.  Trails are officially open but are not usable for enjoyable snowmobiling yet.

Well, we got an inch or two in some areas, but still not enough to ride yet.  

Special Note: Due to high winds last week there have been many trees and branches that have fallen since our last passes through the trails, so please be extra cautious on your first passes through the trail so that you don't find something down before we do.  If you do know of blocked trail sections please let us know, so that we can take care of it ASAP.

Snow's gone, trails are still closed for now.  

Snow's gone, trails all closed for now.  Expecting some cold and snow for the weekend, but probably won't be enough to ride on.  Since yesterday and Monday temps were both into the 60's it's going to take a couple of days of cold temps to freeze the ground, then a couple more days of snow to make it worth going out.  Please keep in mind that even if we do get snow that the State Game Lands are still closed until Jan 19th.

Well, if you weren't able to get out over the last couple of days, that was probably your last chance for till more snow falls.  The temps started to raise today and the snow turned to rain so any attempts to ride now are going to end in a miserable time.  

Snow is coming back and just in time to help us get ready for the Poker Run.  This morning I could see a full bed of grass when I looked outside, but by 4:00pm I was out there hooking up the plow to the truck to plow the driveway.  The townships been out plowing the streets as well although the roads remain covered.  The yard that was bare this morning has at least 6 inches of snow covering it.  The new 3 days look to be cold with more snow and then the weekend brings us more warm and rain so if you can find the time to get out on Wed or Thur, that might be the best time for this week. 

Snow was here and gone just like that.  The 4 - 8 inches that they were calling for today turned into about an inch of slush.  Current trail conditions are are are, let's just say, closed.  I've heard that the snow hit south and east of us, but we got nothing to speak of.

Snow and cold have finally allowed a little riding in some scattered areas, however though our trails are not officially open yet.  Let's hope that the conditions continue to hang around for another week and maybe, just maybe we'll be able to start early this year.  As for the conditions, from what I have in my yard, there's only about 10" of snow and the pool cover has a nice thick patch of ice on it, so I'm going to take a wild guess that, the trails should be in good shape, if there's snow covering them.

Although we have been seeing some colder temps and snow in some areas, the trail system still remains closed.  With any luck, we'll be able to open them up shortly (except in the state game lands of course).  State Game Lands don't open until Jan. 19, 2008.

Well we received our first snow fall of the season, but temps were warm prior to the snow fall not to mention that the temps weren't that cold when it did snow, so the results were wet, wet, wet snow.  Trails remain closed until after a good cold spell and additional snow fall.  One more thing to remember, is that the trails in the State Game Lands don't open until Jan. 19, 2008.

We're done!  It hit 70 degrees F today with sunshine, heck, we don't usually get that combination until the middle of summer.  Needless to say, any snow that we had in the trails is either gone now or is scattered in isolated patches through out the trail being connected by areas of bare earth.  I know that although we had a good January and most of February, our trails didn't look that great compared to a couple of years ago.  We hope that the equipment is now fully functional and that we can resolve our traction issues with the Yanmar so that we can flatten the trails to where we can all ride with great comfort.

Latest update is that the trails are frozen solid enough that the groomers don't have any affect on them.  Even worse news is that they've been like that since the one groomer was out of commission and many of the trails are a bit 'lumpy'.  If you like to ride the sleds built for the bumps then you're all set, if you like them flat like I do, then I hate to say it, but you probably want to wait to ride until the temps go back up a little and we can get the groomers back out to flatten the lumps out.  Report was that all of the trails in the area are frozen, some sections better than others, but they are all in need of a trim.

Temps have been up and down (mainly down for the last couple of days) hitting a high of only 12 degrees F today, and a dusting of snow to boot.  But with the sun shinning, temps around 25 then add salt, the roads are bare, even most of the edges are gone.  Luckily not all of our trails require riding more than a short distance of road in a single stretch but I would make sure that you start off with a good pair of carbide runners anyway.  I'd like to be able to tell you what the trails look like, but I still haven't been out on them yet this month.  I do know that our one groomer that was out of commission has been updated and is ready, if anyone's been on it yet I don't know, but I'm trying to find out and once I do, I'll let you know.

It's been a long time since the last update and the temps have been up and down more than a horse on a merry-go-round.  Through it all we've lost a little snow but there's still some there to ride on, the bad news is, we've lost one of our groomers and even though we have the Yanmar that's ready to go, we can't seem to get enough traction to get it up some of our hills, so we really need the two sleds.  Needless to say that because of the broken sled our trails are not in as good of condition as we would like them to be, in fact, I personally would rather be riding the groomer over them than my own sled.  Not sure what to call the base today because it's been just above the freezing mark with a light drizzle.  The next couple of days we're supposed to get more cold and some snow, but then warming up some again early next week.  I'll try to get you a better update for the actual base.

More snow and cold!  Yesterday we had a little heat spell where the temps almost hit a high of 32, but as bad as it seems that was a good day to groom and that we did.  I had confirmed that the trail 44 was groomed on Saturday and trail 4 was hit yesterday.  I'm not sure exactly how far East they made it on either trail, but they started from the RT-8 area each day and went East from there.  Heavy snow is expected tonight so it may be another couple of days before we can groom again so get out and enjoy it while you can.

I know it's been a week since the last update on the trails, but I've been on the run this last week. It was either last Tuesday or Wednesday night that Tom, Joe Ed & I were out grooming trail 4 (South trail) from Rt 8 to the old Philipsville Inn which turned a trail that was very much in need of a good grooming into a high speed snow-way, but then came the weekend warriors and the return of the moguls.  I had heard rumors that some of our guys were out grooming the trail 44 (North trail) on Saturday afternoon but due to time constraints I opted for the roads (where possible).  I expect to be seeing the groomers back out in the trails soon.  The base is a hard packed surface with an inch or so of new snow daily (except for today, but there is some light snow falling now) and more expected over the next few days.  

Super Bowl Sunday and currently the Colts are winning 22 - 17, but more importantly it's snowing again and is now about 5 degrees.  Just got back about two hors ago from riding and grooming.  Current trail conditions is that all trails are hard packed and the trail between Beechwood Inn and the Greene Township Building are flat as well as the link over to Lake Pleasant Rd.  The rest of the trails need to be hit again from Wilderness Lodge to the Beechwood Inn anyway.  I'm not sure about the north trail (44) but the rest of 4 looks like it was hit pretty hard since Friday night.  Moguls range from about 6" to 3' in some areas, which the worst of it in the areas where the woods are tight and on of course right on the edges of the woods and fields.  More grooming will take place either tomorrow and/or Tuesday.

We've had at least 12+ inches of snow in the last 24 hours and temps are in the low 20's.  Due to the volume of snow that has fallen so quickly, we'll need to wait an extra day for the snow to pack down some to groom otherwise all we end up doing is plowing it off the trail.  Sound kind of silly that we need to let the moguls get bigger, but that's the way it works when we get that much snow and the temps are cold.  According to the local forecasters we'll be getting up near 30 both tomorrow and Friday which are very good temps to groom in and I'm sure that we'll be out with the groomers trying to flatten everything out and get it ready for the weekend.

We had a warm-up on Saturday with a light drizzle followed by some colder temps and snow on Sunday, which for those that aren't sure what that means to the trails, it's usually a good thing, because the warmer temps and light drizzle will help to compact the snow and the cold that follows it will put a good freeze to it which helps to make a solid base.  I know that I didn't get out to groom Saturday night after the Poker Run, nor have I had a chance to talk to the other guys to see what they've done, but either way things are going to be better the rest of this week.  We received a good 4 - 6 inches of snow today and they're calling for another 4 - 8 over night tonight with temps staying low though out the week and snow each day as well (no like we haven't heard that before though).  

As of the meeting last night it was decided that there is enough snow now to groom.  The trails are all snow covered and a little bumpy (at least until the groomers flatten them out) with an occasional wet spot here and there too, but the groomers should take care of that too.  Please use caution when riding this weekend as we will be hitting the trails hard with the groomer and then the Poker Run on Saturday followed by even more grooming.  There's snow get out there and ride.

It's been cold enough to freeze the ground, are the ruts are there to prove it.  We didn't get as much snow as the local forecasters called for, but we did get some snow and it's stayed cold.  As a result, the trails are frozen dirt with a light covering of snow.  In places where there are ruts be cautious as they will throw you around.  Looks like we may get snow each day of the week this week with temps staying below freezing so hopefully we'll get enough snow to get the groomers out to flatten everything out.  Don't forget, the Poker Run is on this coming Saturday 1/27.

It's been cold enough to freeze the ground, but we haven't received much snow yet.  The cold will definitely help to freeze the grounds so that when we do finally get some of the white stuff, it'll stay and help to form a good base rather than just create mud holes.  Predictions call for some accumulation over the next couple of days, but there's still not anywhere near enough to ride on yet.

We're finally getting some snow but there still isn't enough to open the trails yet.  It was predicted to snow about 5 inches today, but only received about 2.  Luckily it was cold and helped to freeze most of the ground before the snow hit.  Cold and snow is in the forecast for the rest of the week so we may have enough to open the trails by the weekend, but that's yet to be decided.  

The trails remain closed due to a lack of snow.  We were to get dumped on this weekend but received nothing but rain.

The trails were partially opened for a couple of days while we had snow but then it warmed p again.  Please remember that the full trail system does not open for the season until after Jan 14th, 2007 due to some of the trails running through state game lands, however though all other trails will be open once the snow returns.

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