Stephens State Park Conditions

[Teutonic]

Bill and I rode Stephens this morning. We took care of Round the Firetower in Post #1,744 and Land of the Lost (Beavers) in Post #1,751.

That clears all known (reported) blowdowns at Stephens.

 

[Teutonic]

Found this one down today:

 

[AS4321]

Big one down. See map and pic attached. Blue dot on map.

 

[avc8130]

Big one down. See map and pic attached. Blue dot on map.

How were conditions after all that snow melt/rain?

 

[Cassinonorth]

How were conditions after all that snow melt/rain?

Some of the lower stuff will be soft after thawing out (blue rock, trestle, mazes) but pretty much the whole park should be good to go in the freeze.

 

[AS4321]

I only ride the upper sections yesterday which were very good frozen conditions.

 

[Teutonic]

Went in to get some reported blowdowns in the mazes. Was expecting 3-4, but ended up clearing about 10-12 trees just on lower and middle maze. Tuned some things up once we realized that was all we were getting to today. Thanks to Mark P for the assist. It was about 22F when we started.

I went back this afternoon with a pole saw and got rid of a vine hanging widow maker on lower.

Lower/Middle were still firm.

 

[Teutonic]

Besides the ones on under the mulch and swamp and chop above, I'm also tracking that there is a larger one down right by the rock garden on Vistar and another on Blue by chimney.

 

[Teutonic]

Bill and I cleared a few trees out this morning with the hand saw or just moving (Hally, Blue, Golden):

This one we couldn't do with the hand chain:

 

[Teutonic]

Trails were a bit icy in spots today. Got a picture of two. One may be a repeat. The other in Trestle:

 

[Teutonic]

Went out for a snow TM session today. Got all the dots in this image plus a whole bunch of tune-ups that I passed (branches sticking out, leaners, etc). Probably about a 12 trees total. Took about 3.5hrs to go 6.5mi and get all the trees. I think everything is clear in Stephen's now except the one on Blue in post #1,769.

 

[Teutonic]

FYI, the snow was great near lake, vistar, swamp/chop, and estus hood. There is still ice under the snow on Funyuns, Trestle, and Blue Rock which was less than ideal.

 

[HiFiGuy]

Thanks for your efforts Teutonic! I saw your work first hand while following your tracks for a bit this afternoon. I went in from Continental drive and came across three trees down on continental drive trail/canal lower. Thanks again for clearing the trails!
And yes the snow conditions were very good today.

 

[Myles]

Anyone ride after the thaw and refreeze?

 

[Teutonic]

Anyone ride after the thaw and refreeze?

Around the lake was icy. Can't comment beyond that.

 

[mattybfat]

Anyone ride after the thaw and refreeze?

Judging around my area it's gonna be a while. Any snow turned to ice which there will be plenty. Post where there is no or wasn't any snow prior to Monday's nights freeze. Temps don't look good for another week or more 😞

 

[Myles]

Allaire, Hartshorne or Clayton probably best bet