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4/01/2014

Get the Latest Mountain Bike Trail Conditions and Check for Closures Before You Ride

With the changing of the seasons comes mountain bike trail closures, especially during the freeze/thaw cycle.  These closures are put into effect to prevent trail damage and erosion.  Mountain bikers are anxious to get out and ride during the Spring but need to respect these closures and stay off wet trails.  This will save MORC and other IMBA Chapter volunteers hours of trail repair time.  Bookmark this post and check back often to see current MORC trail conditions, get trail information and maps.  For the latest Cyclecast, visit 2WheelWeather's MORC Weather Blog.

Battle Creek Regional Park
Maplewood
Image Credit:  MORC

Carver Lake Park  
Woodbury 
Map     Trail Info     Facebook  
Image Credit:  Mountain Bike Geezer

Eagan Bike Park
 Eagan
Image Credit:  Eagan Bike Park Facebook page

Elm Creek Park Reserve
Maple Grove
Map     Trail Info     Facebook
Image Credit:  Griff Wigley

Hillside City Park* 
 Elk River
Image Credit:  Griff Wigley


Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
Rockford
Map      Trail Info
Image Credit:  MORC

Lebanon Hills Regional Park-West
Eagan
Map     Trail Info     Facebook     Twitter


Mendota Trail (MN River Bottoms)
Eagan
Map     Trail Info


Minnesota River Bottoms
Bloomington
MORC Trail Conditions



Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Savage
Image Credit:  MORC

Salem Hills/Harmon Park Reserve
Inver Grove Heights  


Terrace Oaks Park West
Burnsville


Theodore Wirth Park
Minneapolis
Map     Trail Info     Facebook     Twitter
Image Credit:  Mountain Bike Geezer

*fee required

MORC Trail Condtions from around the state:


From MORC:

Why Are Trails Closed?

Sustainable trails are built so that water will run across the trail, not down it. When water runs down the trail it focuses the water and increases erosion. Riding wet trails creates ruts that will focus the water and increase erosion.

Riding wet trails also increases cupping of the trail surface and causes puddles to get deeper and wider, both of which slow the recovery of the trail.

Trails are closed (and often fenced off) during the freeze/thaw cycle in the fall and spring. During these times, trails are especially susceptible to significant damage.

Trails may also be closed after significant weather events, or if there are unsafe trail conditions.

The trails around the Twin Cities metro area are particularly sensitive due to the very large numbers of users these trails get every year.

When trails turn into maintenance headaches, land managers start to consider closing trails for good... PLEASE do your part to ensure that we have access to great trails by riding responsibly. Together we can keep these mountain biking opportunities available for generations to come!
Wet Trail Conditions
Beyond major closures, knowing when not to ride after a rainfall can be less obvious. Trails will not be posted as closed or fenced off after normal rainfalls/storms, so it is up to you to make an educated decision. Here are some general rules regarding wet conditions:

- Trails should not be used during wet weather, or when the trail is soft or muddy.
- Trails are open if the trail is firm and the surface will not be disturbed by foot or bike travel.
- PLEASE be patient if the trail isn't ready... allow the trail to dry before riding.
- Trails are typically too wet to ride for 18-24 hours after a significant rainfall.
- Riding wet trails damages the trail by creating ruts that increase erosion.

Please check the Trail Conditions Pages above for the most up-to-date information. And if you ride a trail, please take a minute and update the conditions if they haven't been updated in a while... this is a great way to both help out your fellow riders and help preserve the trails we love! 

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