Schaffer Conditions

[roho]

I'm pretty certain I know the answer, but I'll ask nonetheless...

How muddy is it at SF? Anyone been out there the last few days?

[Chopotter]

I'm going to take a run out there Tuesday 7/15 to find out how Schaeffer is doing. I'll post here with what I find out.

[Chopotter]

Tuesday-7/15. The two worst sections of the yellow trail still have standing water and lots of thick mud (where the water drains from that field the trail crosses, and just after the wooden bridge). The rest of it was not in too bad a shape, with some sections looking quite good. There are still some soft spots.

The white trail has lots of soft spots, but no water.

All the trails have sections that are much wider than they used to be.

Any significant rain would I think make the trails unrideable again for several days (depending on how concerned you are about the trail).

[roho]

Thanks for the reply. I've pretty much given up on SF for now. As a former western Oregon resident (where the trails are NEVER ready to go until late July), I know that over-use at the wrong times can kill a trail for everyone.

[Chopotter]

That's pretty much the story in Texas too. Erosion is a serious issue there, so when the rains come the trails close for quite some time. But we knew there'd be plenty of riding during the dry summer months.

I hate mud myself. It's a pain in the ass to clean off the bike, the chain and cogs and chainrings take forever to get clean. And it makes for a slow ride, which is boring. I like my trails dry and fast!

[tone]

How are the trails today given the rain last night?

[dmofot]

Any new conditions updates for tomorrow (Friday 8/7/03) afternoon?

DT

[Chopotter]

I haven't bothered to go to Schaeffer and check it out lately. I suppose I should, but I've pretty much given up hope for this year. But, maybe I'd be surprised to find it dry........ nah.

I guess I'm considering finding out, now that you bring it up. Not that it helps you make your decision. Sorry.

Anyone else?

[Chopotter]

Aug 09, 2003

Conditions are about the same as the last time I reported (7/15).

White trail had several spots with standing water, with several other mushy areas and even some mud.

Yellow trail was good for the most part, but with those few troubling sections that had standing water or were quite muddy. Next time I hope to remember my GPS, then I'll be able to pinpoint the bad spots for anyone interested.

[roho]

All this is good to know. I was planning on doing a ride at SF in the next few days, though I think I might just bag it for a while longer. I had plans to head to SF this week sometime, but I had this "waking image/dream/whatever you want to call it" about sinking in the red mud on the yellow trail up to my shoulders, and riders, like mountaineers on big peaks, passing by wondering "what the hell happened to that guy"?

Been working too long, I guess.

[dmofot]

I was out there last Friday (8/15/03) and the trails were in good condition.

DT