[ First-time users please see prior post ]
You may have noticed that the trails have developed some lingering muddy spots over the past month and that they have been closed for a number of days after the last heavy rain. Here’s what’s going on.
New Trails and Their First Winter
As new trails moves through their first winter, it’s normal to have drainage issues that need to be addressed. Even though the trails were well designed and constructed and compacted with a machine, the trail will harden even more with a year or two of use. Also, we will rock armor some of the worst problem areas.
December Rainfall
The weather has not helped us this past month. Columbus averages 4″ of rain in December. As of this post, the weather station closest to Standing Boy has recorded 8″, or double what we normally get in December.
Long-Term Goal
Long term, the goal is to have a trail system that is ready to use 24 hours after rain absent extenuating circumstances such as multiple days of rain, multiple inches of rain, freeze/thaw or very cold conditions, etc. Hopefully, knowing the goal we are working towards will help you be patient with longer closures this first winter.