Riding Season Approaches in Fits & Starts

TL;DR -- East Branch, Blueberry Hill, Cobble Hill, Three Sisters Trail, and lower Hardy Road trails are confirmed rideable for now (with caution and with good judgement); might be fragile again all of next week due to freeze-thaw cycle.

We've been hammering on "please protect the trails during mud season by staying off of them" -- that still holds true now and will continue to hold true likely for the next 6 weeks (Dewey is notorious for holding onto a lot of moisture even into June).  We finally have good news: after a stint of drying out, some of BETA's trail networks are ready for hiker and biker traffic. 

EAST BRANCH COMMUNITY TRAILS -- Rideable, but proceed with caution.  There is a decent amount of blowdown that needs to be cleared with a chainsaw (pssst -- we're fundraising for a chainsaw (and other tools) right now!).  Volunteers have been visiting East Branch and will return soon to rake trails that have a deep layer of leaf litter from fall/winter.  Thank you volunteers!

Pictures taken by Kaley Basile on her latest scouting mission, featuring BETA's reminder to turn back in you're leaving tracks or ruts in the trail; two of the five large trees she saw down over the trail; and some new rock additions to encourage descending riders to slow down before getting to a tight corner where they could run into other riders.  Trail building is way more than simply moving dirt!  Behavior management (psychology?) plays a role, too.

BLUEBERRY HILL -- Likewise, rideable with caution.  Some blowdown and some wet spots.

COBBLE HILL -- Our first green light for the season, Cobble Hill is ready for sending.

HARDY ROAD -- The lower trails are rideable, but the upper trails need more time to dry out.  If venturing higher in elevation, please pay attention to the trail and your impact so you notice at what point it's best to turn back.

THREE SISTERS -- Flobus is CLOSED.  Three Sisters Trail (aka Quaker Mtn Trail) and the Town Connector are rideable.

EVERYWHERE ELSE -- Probably or definitely not ready.  Lake Placid and then Saranac Lake trails are typically the last to firm up each spring, so do not hold your breath for them.  Stay tuned -- we'll keep sharing trail condition reports to help everyone plan their trips and protect the trails.

Next week, beware: Starting on Sunday, nighttime temperatures are forecast to drop well below freezing until at least Wednesday.  Silver lining: it will only snow in some places, -- maybe your town will be spared a dusting.  With freezing nighttime temps and above freezing daytime temps, soils may go through a freeze-thaw cycle.  This makes them super fragile and vulnerable to damage.  Please pay attention to whether the trail is extra soft next week and give it the rest it needs to firm up.  

Thank you for recreating responsibly!  It makes a huge difference and it is deeply appreciated.  Cheers, y'all!