Why do we have to "CLOSE" trails sometimes

There are 3 factors that influence why one trail is closed and another is open.  They are:

1) soil type

2) trail tread drainage

3) exposure to sunlight

The last factor is the biggest variable in trails drying out in the winter when the days are short and the sun not as intense. The WT is a trail that is north facing which gets very little direct sun. (Think Colorado ski slopes that have 3 feet if snow on them in spring and south facing slopes that are bare dirt).

Bald Eagle, Reedy Fork, Blue Heron are all south facing. Owl's Roost is 50% South and 50% north, which is why you probably have noticed in the past that part of it is very dry, while other parts can be quite muddy.

This is also why the very last part of Blue Heron by Yanceyville Road which faces east is frequently muddy and most folks just turned around and avoid damaging the trail.

All of the trails that we have except Country & North East Parks are in the cities critical Watershed which have strict regulations to insure that there is minimal sedimentation that gets into the lake. That is why the stream crossings are also bridged.

I do miss having the challenging fun of water crossings but we can only have those where rock bottoms exist or have been created.

By respecting trail closures you minimize damage to the trails, and the effort that is required to repair that damage can instead be spent building new trail.

Thanks for your help in educating other riders you meet on the trail to be responsible riders.


Mark Gatehouse