Just How Muddy is Wakefield?

[senator]

After last night's torrential rains... what kind of recovery time we lookin' at?

[Trailcreep]

Wakefield is in good shape. I went out this morning to check for damage on the two water crossings we fixed the other night. Salamander is pretty wet, otherwise everything else should be good to ride this afternoon.

[senator]

Wakefield is in good shape. I went out this morning to check for damage on the two water crossings we fixed the other night. Salamander is pretty wet, otherwise everything else should be good to ride this afternoon.
That's good to know! Where is Salamander?

[Trailcreep]

Salamander is the short section of trail in the woods between the boardwalks under the powerline and the wooden bridge that goes from salamander to the sewer line.

[jvanbrecht]

Rain coming down like its the end of the world by New Carolton...

[senator]

I'm an idiot.

I had the afternoon off, and decided to head to Wakefield on bike (after all, it was sunny). I left my house in Oakton at 2:45, and got to Salamander (thanks for pointing out where it is) at 3:15. I ride it south, towards the rec center. The trails wren't even that muddy. It was great... for 5 minutes.

Then the skies let loose.

I sought shelter at the rec center because of nearby lightning strikes. I huddled and waited for 20 minutes, where I saw a missed text message on my phone from DC EMA advising of strong thunderstorms in Annandale. It was sent right after I left my house, but I never saw it. Great.

Finally, I decided to leave. I rode back north on the fireroad, passing the electric substation and through the yellow arrow area of Wakefield. It was running rivers of mud. That trail is gonna be soaked for days.

I got home 45 minutes later, after stopping numerous times to wipe rainwater from my eyes. I was a waterlogged fool.

[MyOtherBrotherL]

WOW - On the other side of Accotink, we got next to NOTHING!

[senator]

I knew it! I could see the sunny skies in the distance! AGHHH!!!

[senator]

Here's a picture I took from my sheltered position. Why is it that rain never photographs well? It was POURING... but it looks like it stopped in this pic. Also, that's not sunshine, it's glare. You can see the puddles and flooding, though. Too bad I couldn't take my camera out in the downpour to show you the condition of the trails themselves... I just wanted to get out of there.

[MyOtherBrotherL]

Wakefield was definitely rideable last night. The Bowl and Phase I were in good shape with three very small puddles encountered. The 495 parallel trail and the truck road that parallels Salamander were both pretty dry.

The non race course section of the stream Valley had the same puddles it always has and we avoided Salamander and both Phase II and Phase III. I suspect that Phase III is fine today because the water just drains right down that hillside, and Phase II will be fine by the weekend.

The wettest part of the whole Park was the cinder trail on the CCT.

The Accotink single track was just plain dry. Boy Scout was a tiny bit tacky but it wasn’t what I would call wet.

L

[tsunayoshi]

Good to know, I am about to go for a Fri after work ride. If I remember I'll post what I find.

[tsunayoshi]

Non-race stream still had some larges puddle, all avoidable. Phase I no issues, Phase II one or two puddles left. Phase III looked dry as a bone but I didn't ride it. 495 was ok (use the skyway though), and I skipped salamander.

I imagine with tomorrow and Sunday's high temps it will all be dusty dry again soon, barring more rain.

[liznotter]

Where is the skyway? I looked all over last time and never found it.

[senator]

Was there from 2 to 5 today. Salamander was muddy in spots, but ridable. Creek trail was fine. Phase I was fine (and fun). Switchbacks are A-OK. The Bowl was dark, but perfect for riding - LOTS of spiderwebs.

I'll be back first thing tomorrow morning! :)

[MyOtherBrotherL]

.... Phase III looked dry as a bone but I didn't ride it.........

I took a quick ride through the Park at around 5:00 PM. The berms on Phase III are dry at the tops and where the worn line is. At the base of the berms, where theoretically you are NOT supposed to ride, they were still a little wet. I was amazed at seeing the tire tracks through the bases. This winter is gonna be interesting to say the least.


... 495 was ok (use the skyway though), .....

I believe you are referencing "Skybridge". And yes, the Skybridge reroute was a little muddy.

L

[tsunayoshi]

Where is the skyway? I looked all over last time and never found it.

As you come out of the end of phase I on the race course and take the left, then right to cross the stream, go left to ride along 495, it is the 3rd board section, about 30' long and maybe 2' wide. Only about 18" off the ground at the highest point.

And on a personal best note, for the first time I made it up that last hill on 495 where you come out by the power station. I normally get caught on the roots at the bottom where you cross the creek. :)

[senator]

And on a personal best note, for the first time I made it up that last hill on 495 where you come out by the power station. I normally get caught on the roots at the bottom where you cross the creek. :)
I feel your pain, and your gain. It's tough to find a good line there... I've just about racked myself many times... and felt great pride when I finally made it with (relative) ease! :)

[tsunayoshi]

I feel your pain, and your gain. It's tough to find a good line there... I've just about racked myself many times... and felt great pride when I finally made it with (relative) ease! :)

I would normally get the front wheel over, stall out on the rear, forget to unclip, and fall to the right down the little drop. I hadn't ridden that section for months because of that.