fountainhead open on thanksgiving?

[jwiffle]

I tried calling today to see if the trail was open, but the line just rang and rang instead of going to the voice mail. I'd like to ride there tomorrow if it's open. Anyone know the chances of it being open tomorrow? Or if it is open today? I don't think it is supposed to rain anymore, so if it's open today, it should be tomorrow.

[greenbean]

I tried calling today to see if the trail was open, but the line just rang and rang instead of going to the voice mail. I'd like to ride there tomorrow if it's open. Anyone know the chances of it being open tomorrow? Or if it is open today? I don't think it is supposed to rain anymore, so if it's open today, it should be tomorrow.

Whether to ride Fountainhead shouldn't exactly be dependent on whether there is currently rain falling out of the sky. It's not like the rain stops and the trails are instantly dry. With all the rain that we've had over the past several days, I'd say that unless the sun comes out, the temperatures rise, and the humidity drops to zero, it's gonna be a few days before Fountainhead is dry enough to ride.

Also, I've heard that the phone recording isn't always up to date, so just because the recording says it's open doesn't mean it's a good idea to ride there.

Can anyone suggest some trails that have better drainage and thus might be in better shape to ride tomorrow?

[mtbmore]

My experience has been that laurel Hill is rideable the next day after a rain.

[punga]

Can anyone suggest some trails that have better drainage and thus might be in better shape to ride tomorrow?

Go west young, um, greenbean. :confused2:
Rocky places do well with a short drying period.

[jwiffle]

Whether to ride Fountainhead shouldn't exactly be dependent on whether there is currently rain falling out of the sky. It's not like the rain stops and the trails are instantly dry. With all the rain that we've had over the past several days, I'd say that unless the sun comes out, the temperatures rise, and the humidity drops to zero, it's gonna be a few days before Fountainhead is dry enough to ride.

Also, I've heard that the phone recording isn't always up to date, so just because the recording says it's open doesn't mean it's a good idea to ride there.

Can anyone suggest some trails that have better drainage and thus might be in better shape to ride tomorrow?
Yeah, I know it's not just whether it's currently raining, but I live way out here in Winchester, and it hasn't rained since yesterday and it is actually pretty nice out right now. But it may not be the same in Fairfax, which is why I'm trying to find out what the trails will be like out there.

If you want a place that will likely be quite dry and safe from hunters, head for Cacapon State Park in WV. I'd go there with some other people who are headed there, but we are headed to Fairfax for thanksgiving with our families who live there. Elizabeth Furnace will be in fine shape, but may have to worry about hunters. And from reading the news, there are WAY too many hunters who can't tell the difference between deer and cows or even people!

Maybe I'll bring the bike and just swing by Fountainhead tomorrow and see if the trail is open. It's not far from my in-laws' place. If it's closed, I can always ride my road bike. I was just hoping to find out definitely to know whether I should even bother bringing the mountain bike.

[CRAIG2]

It's not like the rain stops and the trails are instantly dry.

Well, sure, unless you have a really, really big SHAM-WOW! :D

[mtbmore]

Maybe I'll bring the bike and just swing by Fountainhead tomorrow and see if the trail is open. It's not far from my in-laws' place. If it's closed, I can always ride my road bike. I was just hoping to find out definitely to know whether I should even bother bringing the mountain bike.
Even if the the trail is officially open, it will not be very dry.

Scud

[MyOtherBrotherL]

......Maybe I'll bring the bike and just swing by Fountainhead tomorrow and see if the trail is open......

The Park no longer closes (or very rarely closes) the gates any more. There is no budget for it.

If you bring your bike out there, more than likely (I don't know you so I can't say for sure - I'm just making a generality) you will ride.

As an FYI, it started raining at Fountainhead at about 11:30 AM on Monday and it hasn't really stopped much since. The trails at Fountainhead are probably going to be slick and messy.

[jwiffle]

The Park no longer closes (or very rarely closes) the gates any more. There is no budget for it.

If you bring your bike out there, more than likely (I don't know you so I can't say for sure - I'm just making a generality) you will ride.

As an FYI, it started raining at Fountainhead at about 11:30 AM on Monday and it hasn't really stopped much since. The trails at Fountainhead are probably going to be slick and messy.

Sounds like I will just take the road bike. Guess I was just hoping since it is nice out this way today that Fountainhead would magically dry out. But I know the trails in NoVa don't drain or dry as well or quickly as the trails out this way. I have taken my bike to Fountainhead before, found the trails open, yet had to not ride since it was too wet.

[mtbmore]

we are riding at 7am at Laurel Hill 10 minutes from Fountainhead

[greenbean]

Well, sure, unless you have a really, really big SHAM-WOW! :D

or one of those nifty XLERATOR hand dryers that sounds like it's about to take off when you use it!

Yep, the rain appears to have stopped for the time being. But as MOBL said, it's been raining here pretty much nonstop since Monday. It's actually been raining a good bit all month... so much so that the WF gang has missed more Thursday night group rides this month than we've ridden. Nothing has really had a chance to dry out before it's started raining again.

Maybe if you bring some of that dry air with you from Winchester, we'll all have some local trails to ride by, oh, say, Sunday!

[tombowti]

I tried calling today to see if the trail was open, but the line just rang and rang instead of going to the voice mail...

We’re at the time of the year when the park will soon lock the gates for the winter and will not be staffed. But even though the park is closed, the current policy is that, WEATHER PERMITTING, the trails will remain open.

I walked some of the trail today, Wednesday, and lots of soggy and puddles. My guess is that the trails will be ridable on Friday.