2014 February Trail Conditions

FWIW, the paved parts of the CCT in Montgomery County were in pretty good shape by yesterday afternoon. The same could not be said for the DC portion. The entire trail was covered in rutted packed snow and ice for a good portion of the way between Massachusetts Avenue and the tunnel.

@sethpo 77934 wrote:

Here’s the letter sent from MoCo Councilman Berliner and four other Councilmembers to Parks Dept about plowing CCT.

http://imgur.com/K6eoeMS

Key graph:

“Specifically, I would like to request that you prepare an estimate for snow removal and winter maintenance on the trail in time for the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee to review that figure during the Council’s budget deliberations this April.
In my opinion, not maintaining the Capital Crescent Trail does not only a great disservice to residents who rely on the trail for commuting purposes, but also to the County’s goal of being a more walkable and bikeable community.”

If you use the CCT, please send email thanks to Berliner and other signees:

councilmember.berliner@montgomerycountymd.gov
councilmember.andrews@montgomerycountymd.gov
councilmember.Riemer@montgomerycountymd.gov
Councilmember.Branson@montgomerycountymd.gov
councilmember.Leventhal@montgomerycountymd.gov

Hopefully, this is progress and not just fluff. We’ll see.

@Steve O 78248 wrote:

CUSTIS REPORT, WOD to Rosslyn – 9:45ish

Snow was falling heavily but mostly not sticking–just wet. Bridges over Glebe & Lee Hwy were sticking but not slick yet. Area behind Adams apartments was accumulating snow but not slick yet. Not sure what will happen through the next few hours. If temps stay well above 32, might be no problem, but if snow accumumulates a little & then gets squished down, it could be dicey, particularly on bridges and the apt/Spout Run area. Good luck.

And CUSTIS Rosslyn to MVT to 14th St …
All clear at 8:45ish but the Trollheim bridge by Roosevelt Island was starting to have a little snow sticking. I bit the bullet and rode studded tires. Overkill for the morning but with 1/2″ to 1″ of snow forecast, maybe necessary for getting home safely.

Can anyone tell me why people call it the Trollheim?

Nick

Noon Report on Custis and parts of the W&OD.

Remember all that “snow not sticking” that you read before? It’s sticking now! Basically all of the places that had snow and ice lingering on the Custis and W&OD have 1/2-2″ of fluffy, white snow. Slush was starting to accumulate. Bridges are snowy and slushy.

I rode home with slick touring tires and 4 full panniers and didn’t have much of a problem. The hill on the W&OD near Brandymore Castle (just east of East Falls Church) is quite an adventure!!! Mountain bike or cross tires with tread will have no problems before it freezes tonight. Late this evening and tomorrow morning may be icy.

I’ll have photos up soon.

Hugs and kisses,

Pete

From Rosslyn to DC via TR Bridge: the only sticking snow was on the trollheim, it was fluffy and crunchy – no problem to ride on.

@Dirt 78279 wrote:

Perhaps

It was deep enough in some spots for my fender mudflap to work as a plow.

*Sigh*. I’m too broke this year to take advantage of the first almost somewhat decent ski conditions we’ve had since 2010, so I officially want this to just GO AWAY!

W&OD to Westover is just damp with 1/2 inch of snow/slush on bridges. No need for studs on the way to HDCC.