February 2016 Road and Trail Conditions – Is there still snow/ice out there?

[KWL]

@AFHokie 134330 wrote:

May be slick & blustery out there tomorrow morning: National Weather Service Winter Weather Advisory

Time to pull the Pugsley back out.

[TwoWheelsDC]

When I left my house at 5:30am, the grass was barely wet and there was no frost on the cars to indicate the roads might be icy. Sure enough, the roads in north Arlington and bordering Fairfax were just damp and you could tell there were snowflakes in the air, but it was not even a little icy and there certainly wasn’t any snow sticking. Also, road crews had laid down so much salt it wouldn’t have been icy even if it had gotten below freezing.

By the time I got into work at 5:50am, I couldn’t see any snowflakes at all and the roads had already started to dry because of the very stiff breeze, so I think most people would be fine with regular tires this morning.

[Vicegrip]

W&OD ice free from Shreve to Clark’s crossing. Did not see any signs of ice forming on trail or roads.

[dbb]

From the National Park Service (emphasis added)

“On Feb 8 – 12, expect a 24/7 single, right lane closure in the westbound direction for construction equipment. Also expect intermittent eastbound right lane closures from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm for construction equipment. The sidewalks in both eastbound and westbound will have partial closures for repairs from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. The sidewalks will be open at all times, however they will be narrowed in the work areas.

FYI: at the narrow points the sidewalks will be about 5 feet. There is no complete closure to either sidewalk with this work like there has been previously. “

[bobco85]

@Tim Kelley 134195 wrote:

You put it together and we’ll figure out some way to make it prominently appear on the main page or maybe included as part of registration?

I’m currently working on it

Internet has been slow at my apartment for some reason, but I’ll add a little bit here and there over the next week before revealing it to the forum. My goal is for the wiki to be supplementary to the forum with information that newer users and visitors will find useful along with the regulars.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dbb 134350 wrote:

From the National Park Service (emphasis added)

“On Feb 8 – 12, expect a 24/7 single, right lane closure in the westbound direction for construction equipment. Also expect intermittent eastbound right lane closures from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm for construction equipment. The sidewalks in both eastbound and westbound will have partial closures for repairs from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. The sidewalks will be open at all times, however they will be narrowed in the work areas.

FYI: at the narrow points the sidewalks will be about 5 feet. There is no complete closure to either sidewalk with this work like there has been previously. “

Is this for Memorial Bridge?

[dbb]

@ShawnoftheDread 134375 wrote:

Is this for Memorial Bridge?

Yes. in the title of the post but I should have included it in the body as well.

My bad.

[ginacico]

Picked this up from the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park’s Facebook page. The Potomac River has reached peak flood stage from all of the melting snow. The remaining ice is washing downriver, and some parts of the towpath are under about 3 feet of water. Recommending that cyclists avoid it for the weekend.

–quote–

Flood Update! The following park closures will remain in effect until re-evaluated on Monday February 8: Boat ramps @ Snyders Landing, Taylors Landing, Brunswick, Lander, Monocacy, and Edwards Ferry as well as Parking areas @ Edwards Ferry and Rileys Lockhouse.

Towpath remains closed between Burnside Farm (MM 89.1) and Dam #4 (MP 84). Click here for the detour map.

Billy Goat Trail A remains closed.

Towpath is still very muddy and is snow covered in many locations. Visitors should try to avoid these areas but if attempted, they should be prepared for very difficult hiking conditions. Bicycling should be avoided completely. Potomac River is still running very high, very fast, and very cold. Do not get near the edge of the river and avoid any areas where you could slip in. (bjh)

[DrP]

It seems that most of the trails are now clear, but there are piles of snow here and there (aside from the Bluemont Glacier, that will take a while). Sundays are usually my long ride with a buddy and a clear trail would be prefer for this week. Anyone know if the following areas have extensive snow still:

Mount Vernon Trail to Mount Vernon, i.e., south of Wilson bridge to the Visitor center/gift shop

W&OD from Arlington to Herndon and further west (does it ever become an issue)

Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park Trail

Thank you.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@dbb 134395 wrote:

Yes. in the title of the post but I should have included it in the body as well.

My bad.

Another problem with tapatalk–no titles for individual posts.

[gbrozak]

W&OD is completely clear from Arlington to Gallows. Not sure what its like west of Gallows, but I would guess it’s fine.

@DrP 134400 wrote:

It seems that most of the trails are now clear, but there are piles of snow here and there (aside from the Bluemont Glacier, that will take a while). Sundays are usually my long ride with a buddy and a clear trail would be prefer for this week. Anyone know if the following areas have extensive snow still:

Mount Vernon Trail to Mount Vernon, i.e., south of Wilson bridge to the Visitor center/gift shop

W&OD from Arlington to Herndon and further west (does it ever become an issue)

Capital Crescent Trail and Rock Creek Park Trail

Thank you.

[Tania]

@DrP 134400 wrote:

W&OD from Arlington to Herndon and further west (does it ever become an issue)

I’m heading out that way today – Claiborne to Purcellville and then a road loop so I’ll report back. I’m told there is some ice at the Sycolin underpass and hoping goose creek isn’t flooded.

[ursus]

@Tania 134453 wrote:

I’m heading out that way today – Claiborne to Purcellville and then a road loop so I’ll report back. I’m told there is some ice at the Sycolin underpass and hoping goose creek isn’t flooded.

If it flooded, it’s receding. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv/?site_no=01644000&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,62620,62614 It’s hard to believe that it would reach the W&OD level.

What would concern me more is Tuscarora right before Leesburg.

[Tania]

I was running late so I drove into Leesburg rather than parking by the skate rink on Claiborne.

It’s clear from Dry Mill (the first crossing there after King St) to the high school in Purcellville. We did a road loop out to Lovettesville and back but everything is clear and mostly dry.

Is Tuscarora the one where the trail dips down and then back up – no bridge over the water? If so, that’s the crossing I meant.

[ursus]

@Tania 134470 wrote:

I was running late so I drove into Leesburg rather than parking by the skate rink on Claiborne.

It’s clear from Dry Mill (the first crossing there after King St) to the high school in Purcellville. We did a road loop out to Lovettesville and back but everything is clear and mostly dry.

Is Tuscarora the one where the trail dips down and then back up – no bridge over the water? If so, that’s the crossing I meant.

Yes, that is Tuscarora. As you said, there is no bridge. There certainly is a threat of floods there. IIRC, you can see the piers of the old railroad bridge a bit south of the trail. For some reason they did not use that route and rebuild the bridge when making the bike trail.

[Author]

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