Schaeffer Farms

[BMXMTBmematt]

Schaeffer is closed for winter (at least that is what the sign said as of 12-31-2005)

[tt_tyler]

Has anybody verified this? Was it this way last year, because I remember riding up there over the winter...

[MyOtherBrotherL]

Has anybody verified this? Was it this way last year, because I remember riding up there over the winter...

"Trail Closure Information: Trail Closure Information: During the winter months DNR will close the gate except when trails are unusually dry. Do not ride when the gate is closed. You can be ticketed if riding when the gate is closed. No night riding is allowed except with special permission from the park. Call the Seneca Creek Trails hotline for current trail status 301-924-1998. DNR uses an honor system for all other months when the trails are closed for 24 hours after a heavy rain..."

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-1205.html



Schaeffer Farm Trails
10 miles - moderate
This trail system was designed with mountain biking in mind, but is a multi-use system open to cyclists, hikers and equestrians. Equestrian trailer parking is available. The layout provides access to attractive scenery of wooded stream valleys and open farm fields while making efforts to protect the natural environment. The trails provide a variety of challenges for different skill levels. Be sure to stay on the marked trails, blazed in color. These trails may be closed during extended periods of wet, freezing and thawing conditions during the winter. For general trail information, call the 24-hour taped trail condition message line at 301-924-1998.


http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/senecaguide.html

[Fat Jeff]

Well, that's certainly lame. I haven't been riding much the past couple of years since my kids were born, but "back in the day," some of the best riding days ever were in the dead of winter. Dry, quiet, uncrowded. And some of the *worst* riding days I ever had at Schaeffer were during the spring, after significant rain.

Does the DNR monitor the trail conditions on a regular basis, and make clsure decisions based on these, or just impose a blanket "Closed during the winter" statement?

[DaveG]

Well, that's certainly lame. I haven't been riding much the past couple of years since my kids were born, but "back in the day," some of the best riding days ever were in the dead of winter. Dry, quiet, uncrowded. And some of the *worst* riding days I ever had at Schaeffer were during the spring, after significant rain.

Does the DNR monitor the trail conditions on a regular basis, and make clsure decisions based on these, or just impose a blanket "Closed during the winter" statement?

I know it's a pain, but I really think the trails @ Schaeffer are holding up much better with the closure policy. Since we can't trust users to be sensible about when it's safe to ride they basically close it all down.

If you doubt the wisdom of this, head over to Avalon and see what unrestricted trail access looks like.

Dave

[yqx]

Still closed as of Saturday 2/25/2006.

[Fat Jeff]

I know it's a pain, but I really think the trails @ Schaeffer are holding up much better with the closure policy. Since we can't trust users to be sensible about when it's safe to ride they basically close it all down.

If you doubt the wisdom of this, head over to Avalon and see what unrestricted trail access looks like.

Dave

I guess I'm not following the logic of this. Isn't it usually the dryest in the winter and the wettest in the spring? I'd think they'd be more concerned over the condition of the trails relative to the amount of precipitation received during a given time period. I mean, if it's dry, open it up, if it's wet, close it down - don't just impose this seasonal limitation. I agree that you can't trust the riders to self-police but I think this is overly restrictive. JMHO. I mean heck, if they shut it down all year long, the trails will be perfect. :rolleyes:

[DaveG]

I guess I'm not following the logic of this. Isn't it usually the dryest in the winter and the wettest in the spring?


Spring is wet, but we can get a few days of sunny weather to dry things out. In the winter it rains, gets saturated and then goes through a freeze/thaw cycle w/o any real drying, so the trails are basically a swamp any time it gets warmer.


The number of users wanting to use the trails in winter is a small fraction of the hordes that descend during the summer, but they can cause massive amounts of damage.

You're right; if the trails are closed year round then there won't be any damage. Riding on muddy trails is just about the best way to insure that outcome.

I guess I just don't understand why people don't steer themselves in winter to trails that handle the wet better; I.e. Gambrill, Blackhills, Greenbriar etc.


Dave

[riderx]

I guess I just don't understand why people don't steer themselves in winter to trails that handle the wet better; I.e. Gambrill, Blackhills, Greenbriar etc.Ignorance and selfishness.

Most of us were probably in the former category when we started riding. But at least the ignorant ones can be educated.

[Fat Jeff]

Ignorance and selfishness.

Most of us were probably in the former category when we started riding. But at least the ignorant ones can be educated.

Well, for me it's ignorance to a certain degree, but mostly time (Schaeffer is 5 miles from my house and I can ride there instead of having to burn petroleum). And with two very young children at home, time is at a real premium. I just can't afford to spend 4 hours getting prepped, going to, doing, coming back from and winding down from a ride like I used to. I see a window of opportunity (like a nap) and I have to take it. That's why more and more these days I just go road biking.

[Vecsus]

I guess I just don't understand why people don't steer themselves in winter to trails that handle the wet better; I.e. Gambrill, Blackhills, Greenbriar etc.


Dave

Because people have jobs, school, family, etc..that keep them from making long drives to those trails. Many of us live too far away to make those viable trails...especially with the short days.

No, I don't poach trails out of season (and never will). Winter pretty much means no riding for me at all.

[DaveG]

Because people have jobs, school, family, etc..that keep them from making long drives to those trails. Many of us live too far away to make those viable trails...especially with the short days.

No, I don't poach trails out of season (and never will). Winter pretty much means no riding for me at all.

Since we're talking Schaeffer, and Black Hills and Clopper Lake are < 10 minutes away I wouldn't consider that a long drive.

But, I have a job, a family (including a 3 year old), so I certainly understand what you're saying.

I think if you want a ride badly enough you can find the time; I.e. wake up @ 4:45 on the weekend to bust out an early ride when the trails are frozen, etc etc.

The winter long trail cosure of Schaeffer is a pain, and personally I don't really see anything wrong w/ riding it when it's frozen solid, even if it's "officially" closed (I'm sure that is at odds w/ the official MORE position). If you're not leaving any marks I don't see a problem.

Dave