Fountainhead: Trail conditions

[metalmok]

I was very excited to hear the words,"The Fountainhead regional park mountain bike train is currently...open"
I landed there about 9am and the trail was frozen/mushy...fast. I am really out of shape and the place really tore me a new one. Overall the trail is great although as it warmed up it got really messy specially at the end you know that second to last hill with the 4X4 rails on the left side...freaking pudding. There were quite a few trees down across the trail so some work will need to be done there. Come out and work on the trail on April 17th. Overall...it's open so...go ride it!

[tsteele999]

I was very excited to hear the words,"The Fountainhead regional park mountain bike train is currently...open"
I landed there about 9am and the trail was frozen/mushy...fast. I am really out of shape and the place really tore me a new one. Overall the trail is great although as it warmed up it got really messy specially at the end you know that second to last hill with the 4X4 rails on the left side...freaking pudding. There were quite a few trees down across the trail so some work will need to be done there. Come out and work on the trail on April 17th. Overall...it's open so...go ride it!


There's always room for Pudding!!

F'Head usually dries out quickly, maybe tomorrow it will be in better shape.

[tsteele999]

Rode there today, a little sloppy but not bad. Like an idiot I rode my singlespeed, so I had a horrendous E.T. and got to enjoy walking up some hills. This was my first mtb ride of the year, first time at Fountainhead since last fall. There is one big tree in the trail on the hill just after the little stone berm/bridge that got put in last spring. Does anyone know the mileage for a complete lap of the trails? I want to log it but don't have a computer on that bike.

[scrapel]

I just called the fountainhead trail hotline and was surprised to hear the MTB trail is open, has anyone checked it out?

[27Feet]

The trail is in great shape overall.

[cjled]

It was great as of this afternoon...

[scrapel]

I rode fountainhead yesterday and the trail was great. My bike had no mud on it....just dust from the trail. Please let patapsco dry out and ride some of these other great trails that are perfectly dry.

[kev0153]

Well trying to find a place to ride tomorrow (3/26/05). Weather is supposed to decent in the afternoon. How about Fountainhead?

[camp]

How about Fountainhead? I'd say no good.
You can call the line at 703-250-2473. We received ~1.75" rain this week. And it hasn't been good "drying out" weather since.

[Dirt]

How about Fountainhead?

Gambrill, Frederick Watershed and Greenbrier will be much better choices. GW National Forest should be okay too. There's plenty of rock there.

To back what Camp said, I hiked at Fountainhead on Wed. (Blue and White trails -- not open to bikes) I looked at the mtb trail. It was soggy. We've had lots of rain since then. It isn't ridable.

Pete

[kev0153]

Yep the hotline says its closed today. Maybe we'll give Greenbrier a try. Never been out there.

Thanks

[Widebody Driver]

The trail conditions recording for Fountainhead is currently reporting that Fountainhead MTB Trail will be CLOSED on Saturday, April 9 from Noon to 4PM for an REI sponsored event.

I suspect that the closure is for the below listed event on the www.rei.com website for the Bailey's Crossroads REI Store.

I'll check with the Fountainhead Ranger by Wednesday to determine if the trail really will be completely closed. I suspect that the trail will be open to anyone willing to listen to a REI pitch or test ride a Cannondale bike.



REI Bicycle Demo Sat., April 9

Saturday, April 9, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
REI/Cannondale Bicycle Demo
Fountainhead Regional Park, Lorton, Virginia
Join REI and Cannondale for an opportunity to ride a variety of bicycles from Cannondale on road and trail, and discuss fit and maintenance with REI’s Cycling Department experts and shop techs. Emergency Road and Trailside Repair Clinics scheduled for 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM; Suspension Setup Clinic scheduled for 3:00 PM. Call REI Cycling at 703-379-9400, or e-mail mnelson@rei.com for further information.

[Widebody Driver]

As previously suggested, the REI folks will be using the MTB Trail at Fountainhead for their event on Saturday afternoon, April 9.

I've been told that part of their event may include taking novice riders out onto the trail for an instructional experience. To make that more enjoyable for the novice riders, they have requested that the trail be closed during their event. The Park management has agreed to honor that request.

You may be able to negotiate with the REI folks some sort of agreement that would allow use of some portion of the trail on a not to interfere basis.

Further, if you happened to be already on the trail when the closure goes nto effect, you might be able to complete your ride without interfering with the REI event.

Finally, you might be able to participate in the REI event and take a lap around Fountainhead on a Jekyll or Prophet.



REI Bicycle Demo Sat., April 9

Saturday, April 9, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
REI/Cannondale Bicycle Demo
Fountainhead Regional Park, Lorton, Virginia
Join REI and Cannondale for an opportunity to ride a variety of bicycles from Cannondale on road and trail, and discuss fit and maintenance with REI’s Cycling Department experts and shop techs. Emergency Road and Trailside Repair Clinics scheduled for 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM; Suspension Setup Clinic scheduled for 3:00 PM. Call REI Cycling at 703-379-9400, or e-mail mnelson@rei.com for further information.

[tsteele999]

As previously suggested, the REI folks will be using the MTB Trail at Fountainhead for their event on Saturday afternoon, April 9.

I've been told that part of their event may include taking novice riders out onto the trail for an instructional experience. To make that more enjoyable for the novice riders, they have requested that the trail be closed during their event. The Park management has agreed to honor that request.

You may be able to negotiate with the REI folks some sort of agreement that would allow use of some portion of the trail on a not to interfere basis.

Further, if you happened to be already on the trail when the closure goes nto effect, you might be able to complete your ride without interfering with the REI event.

Finally, you might be able to participate in the REI event and take a lap around Fountainhead on a Jekyll or Prophet.

Rode Fountainhead today, it was in great shape. Can anyone actually ride over that huge log that is ramped on an uphill after you cross the stream area?

Did anyone ride with REI last weekend? It appeared to me that they only used the front loop, there is a balloon on the sign that says .3 miles to parking lot saying turn here. If they did, it was a shame that they closed the whole trail so they could use a one mile section.

A bridge was gone at the stream crossing towards the back, no big deal really the stream bed is rocky there.

Saw all the flags for new trails in the back, looks like the trail work will be doing quite a bit of rerouting. I have to work this weekend but I'll be rooting for you guys.

Stu, or whoever is in charge of such things, the sign-in sheets are full up, people are filling up the backs. I guess that's good though.

[kev0153]

The bridge is washed down by the lake. We were going to try and move it but it was too heavy. Must have been some serious water coming down through there.

[Widebody Driver]

I'm not sure...I'd bet that SOMEBODY can ride that huge log...I know that I can't.

The bridge moved for the second time in about 6 months.

The plan is to replace the bridge on Sunday during the official...

Fountainhead Workday!

Join MORE and a group of dedicated volunteers for Trail Maintenance on Sunday, April 17. Meet in the parking lot at 9:30AM.

Rode Fountainhead today, it was in great shape. Can anyone actually ride over that huge log that is ramped on an uphill after you cross the stream area?

Did anyone ride with REI last weekend? It appeared to me that they only used the front loop, there is a balloon on the sign that says .3 miles to parking lot saying turn here. If they did, it was a shame that they closed the whole trail so they could use a one mile section.

A bridge was gone at the stream crossing towards the back, no big deal really the stream bed is rocky there.

Saw all the flags for new trails in the back, looks like the trail work will be doing quite a bit of rerouting. I have to work this weekend but I'll be rooting for you guys.

Stu, or whoever is in charge of such things, the sign-in sheets are full up, people are filling up the backs. I guess that's good though.

[camp]

Can anyone actually ride over that huge log that is ramped on an uphill after you cross the stream area?Pat, pat. :D

When I saw your post earlier in the week I didn't think I could do it. The last time I rode there, the log was there, but I don't think the ramp was, but I figured no way. You pick up a bit of speed going down the back of the ramp that actually helps you finish the climb. I wonder if it will still be there Monday?

[Widebody Driver]

Pat, pat. :D

When I saw your post earlier in the week I didn't think I could do it. The last time I rode there, the log was there, but I don't think the ramp was, but I figured no way. You pick up a bit of speed going down the back of the ramp that actually helps you finish the climb. I wonder if it will still be there Monday?

Yeah, it'll still be there on Monday...there's also a "bypass" for those so inclined.

We had a great trunout for the workday today (17).

The bridge by the picnic tables is back in place; elevated/ramped to, we hope, prevent it from being washed away (again :mad: ). A great start was made on the reroute by the Dead End Loop.

[tsteele999]

Rode FH today before it rained...beautiful!!

I like the re-routes of new singletrack in the back, it looks like the dead end loop is going to be a lot more fun in the future too.

I'm sorry I missed the work day last weekend, I had to work. Is there another scheduled this year?

BTW, I appreciate the cut in the log for the mere mortals to use...I made it up the hill this time.

[tsteele999]

Fountainhead is in great condition, did a lap this morning. The new trail back on the deadend loop needs more riders, it is still very soft through almost the whole stretch, maybe if everybody made a run through it it would get packed down better. Larry was right, that section takes about a minute to get through, it seemed alot longer when we were digging it out.

[medcina]

Tsteele999, was it you I had asked how the trail conditions were this morning? I was there with kev0153 and ODG and we were arriving just as you had finished up.

I do agree with you on the trail condition. The new section was definitely softer than the rest of the trail (which was dry) but it wasn't bad by any means. Just a little soft and slightly muddy in some spots. The bikes were clean for the most part at the end of the ride.

[tsteele999]

Tsteele999, was it you I had asked how the trail conditions were this morning? I was there with kev0153 and ODG and we were arriving just as you had finished up.

I do agree with you on the trail condition. The new section was definitely softer than the rest of the trail (which was dry) but it wasn't bad by any means. Just a little soft and slightly muddy in some spots. The bikes were clean for the most part at the end of the ride.

Yep, that was me, brown/grey Cannondale and a xB. Did you see the cute blonde sunbathing on the other side of the parking lot? Yowza.