OK to Ride at Fountainhead???

[Speedplay]

I live in New Jersey, and I'll be visiting my folks in Fairfax over the Xmas holidays, and would very much like to ride at Fountainhead. Last time I was down there, I drove 25 miles to get to the park, only to discover the Mountain-bike trail was closed! (Bummer! Ended up doing a totally BOOORING ride around Burke Lake.)

Question: Will the Mountain bike trail at Fountainhead be open for riding at all on Dec 23, 24, 25 or 26th?? I am itching to ride this place! I have found the phone number to call, but every time I call it, it just says "Mountain bike trail is closed". No mention of when it might be open for riding again.

If not - screw it - I'm heading out to Elizabeth Furnace!



Speedplay

[Squirrel Girl]

The 10 day forecast on weather.com says no new ppt until Sunday, Dec 25. So maybe by the time you get here it'll be fine. FYI - If you go to the menu item "Quick Links" (upper left), then go down to "Where to Ride" then you go to "Fountainhead" there's the phone number listed that's supposed to keep an accurate update on the trail status. If I recall, you call the number, then at the end, hit a key to get the mtb specific trail status.

Happy Trails!
SG

[Speedplay]

Thanks, SquirrelGirl. I've got the phone number for Fountainhead saved as a speed dial on my cellphone! So I won't make the mistake I made last time of driving all the way down there only to find out the trail is closed.

I can only bring one bike with me to VA, either the road bike or the mountain bike. I guess I'll bring the mountain bike. (I can also easily ride to Wakefield Park from my parent's house in Fairfax.)


Speedplay

[tsteele999]

Thanks, SquirrelGirl. I've got the phone number for Fountainhead saved as a speed dial on my cellphone! So I won't make the mistake I made last time of driving all the way down there only to find out the trail is closed.

I can only bring one bike with me to VA, either the road bike or the mountain bike. I guess I'll bring the mountain bike. (I can also easily ride to Wakefield Park from my parent's house in Fairfax.)


Speedplay

Just remember that evn if the trail is open, the parking lot is closed so you have to park outside the gate along the access road. Ride in about 1/4 mile and the trail is on your left. Bring your helmet.

[pete]

HOW BOUT THAT!

I called the Fhead line yesterday to check status and the recording said closed.

I was frustrated, thinking that they just have a canned message after a storm or wet periods and may or may not update it promptly.

I was also pretty sure that the trail was fine as it drains and we have had no precip in a week. So this morning I called back and the trail is in fact open!

My faith in humanity has been restored and my weekend looks better now.

Party on

[Squirrel Girl]

Hi Pete - Thanks for posting that up! I'm thinking of skipping out of work tomorrow afternoon, then coming back after a ride and finishing up my week Thursday night. Fountainhead would be lovely tomorrow afternoon.

[ride-n-fall]

Has anyone been to Fountainhead lately? The recorded line says it is open. Given the rain two days ago, however, I was wondering what sort of shape it may be in this afternoon.

[Dirt]

My guess is that there's going to be some soft stuff out there. A bunch of the stuff closer in might be okay, but the trail going up from the picnic tables as well as the new trails that were cut last summer are going to be pretty gooey.

If you go, try and make it early in the day. The lows for the next few nights are supposed to be in the 20s. Be ready to walk any muddy sections and definitely report back to us how it looks.

Sorry I don't have any more specific info. I haven't been out there in Months.

PEte

[ride-n-fall]

Rode Friday afternoon. It was in pretty good shape overall; a few slick spots on some of the hills. Parts of the new trails, however, were very muddy.