January ’16 – Trail Condition: That time they predicted mind-boggling amounts of snow

[Arlingtonrider]

@Terpfan 133389 wrote:

That would be phenomenal if they did. I suspect plowing or at least some variation of it may occur when, and if, they ever reach this obvious conclusion. Perhaps NPS will take notice as other jurisdictions continue to plow the paths and bike lanes by noting their transportation uses.

I just sent an email via info I found at @NPSGWMP to let them know how much we need for them to clear the MVT or at least parts of it. They need to hear from a lot of us, so *please* do the same if you care about this!

[KWL]

The sign says “Yield”. I did and turned around. One shot facing north, one south toward the 4MR bridge.

[BTC_DC]

@Terpfan 133375 wrote:

That or if the Memorial Bridge way on Wash Blvd is plowed/passable?

The trail from Boundary Channel Dr. was cleared up until the first bridge (crossing the river). Then the snow was quite deep, probably at least 6 or more inches, and wet on the rest of the trail to memorial bridge. That will take a few days yet to become rideable, at least since I am on slicks.

Jumping onto Washington Blvd was manageable in the morning given traffic speeds that time of the day, as was crossing Memorial Bridge by taking the lane (sidewalks on the bridge look like they have a way to go as well before being rideable). Not sure how well that would work if doing that route in the evening when traffic speeds are probably higher and it is dark out.

Otherwise everything else was clear for me, which includes Potomac Ave., Crystal Dr., Long Bridge Dr.

I am guessing going the opposite direction (DC to Alexandria) will pose a separate set of challenges this evening.

[Steve O]

@Arlingtonrider 133395 wrote:

I just sent an email via info I found at @NPSGWMP to let them know how much we need for them to plow the MVT or at least parts of it. They need to hear from a lot of us, so please do the same if you care about this!

Here’s the page.

[KWL]

Left to right: The 4 Mile Run Park Trail in Alexandria. Just across the run is 4 Mile Run Trail in Arlington; The view from 4MRT towards Eads. Not only is it not cleared, there is the added insult of piling snow there from the ROAD that was cleared; I’m disappointed Arlington didn’t clear the ramp from 4MRT up to Rt1. Just another short unclear section that makes it impossible to get to work this week.

[huskerdont]

@chris_s 133262 wrote:

Keep telling the County Board you appreciate it. I have it on good authority they are being bombarded by cranky folks who don’t think “bike trails should be getting plowed before all of the residential streets are clear”

countyboard@arlingtonva.us

I just wrote them; wrote them last year as well. Plowing the trails is good transportation policy, good for safety, and good for the county’s image. Plus I’m selfish and like getting to work without having to ride on Lee Highway if I can.

[lordofthemark]

@Arlingtonrider 133395 wrote:

I just sent an email via info I found at @NPSGWMP to let them know how much we need for them to plow the MVT or at least parts of it. They need to hear from a lot of us, so please do the same if you care about this!

At the last BPAC meeting I attended, there was agreement (I think) that the most important part of the MVT for Alexandria commuters is actually located in Arlington, the approaches to the 14th Street bridge from the Pentagon (and maybe Crystal City – I forget exactly what was said) because the other parts coming through and from Alexandria have parallels. And that Alexandria should support Arlington’s request for clearing.

[KWL]

Left to Right: The CaBi station at South Glebe and Potomac Ave is clear of snow; The trail behind the Potomac Yard stores has been cleared; Until it’s not, with the added obstacle of a truck parked on the trail.

[JoeB]

My view from the top of the Rosslyn hill on Custis this afternoon:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10678[/ATTACH]

[Edit: Whaaaaa? How’s come my picher’s all sideways? Sorry for the tech fail, but I think you get the gist…. And if anyone can fix please feel free!]

Frontloaders were clearing the snow from the ramp lanes that lead to 66 by driving it across the bike lanes to dump it in the open space to the left of the picture. I didn’t stick around to see whether they also cleaned up the trail after themselves but I sure hope so – that section was bone dry before they went to work over it.

[KWL]

@BTC_DC 133408 wrote:

The trail from Boundary Channel Dr. was cleared up until the first bridge (crossing the river). Then the snow was quite deep, probably at least 6 or more inches, and wet on the rest of the trail to memorial bridge. That will take a few days yet to become rideable, at least since I am on slicks.

Jumping onto Washington Blvd was manageable in the morning given traffic speeds that time of the day, as was crossing Memorial Bridge by taking the lane (sidewalks on the bridge look like they have a way to go as well before being rideable). Not sure how well that would work if doing that route in the evening when traffic speeds are probably higher and it is dark out.

Otherwise everything else was clear for me, which includes Potomac Ave., Crystal Dr., Long Bridge Dr.

I am guessing going the opposite direction (DC to Alexandria) will pose a separate set of challenges this evening.

That was my experience on the same route on Monday. Going into DC was OK by taking Washington Blvd and a Memorial Bridge lane. Coming home I ended up slogging through calf deep snow as far as the first bridge over the GW Parkway ramp and then said “screw it”, jumped down onto the road and salmoned as far as the Pentagon off ramp. I would not do that with the traffic level that will be out there today.

[dasgeh]

@lordofthemark 133416 wrote:

At the last BPAC meeting I attended, there was agreement (I think) that the most important part of the MVT for Alexandria commuters is actually located in Arlington, the approaches to the 14th Street bridge from the Pentagon (and maybe Crystal City – I forget exactly what was said) because the other parts coming through and from Alexandria have parallels. And that Alexandria should support Arlington’s request for clearing.

Arlington’s BAC had NPS GWMP at our January meeting to talk snow clearing. Upshot: they are open to it and interested in figuring out how to make it work, but given that it will be a change (and one that will need money), it will probably take a while.

Last year, NPS cleared Memorial Bridge and part of the 27 Trail. The Pentagon cleared a different part of the 27 Trail on Pentagon property. There was only about 1/4 mile not cleared. So our ask #1 was to clear the last 1/4 on the 27 Trail. (Allowing folks to bike to Boundary Channel Drive on streets, then use BCD to get to the 27 Trail.)

Ask #2 was to clear the wooden bridge and walkway in LBJ Grove, connecting to the (already cleared) Marina parking lot, then clear the path from the Marina parking lot to the MVT, and the MVT from there to the 14th Street Bridge. This is about 1 mile of clearing, but it’s not contiguous and it’s not contiguous to what they already do. So it’s ask #2

Ask #3 was to clear the entire MVT.

And ask #4, which came up at the meeting, was to allow bikes on the GWMP when the MVT is impassable. Don’t hold your breath on that one.

[sjclaeys]

@ShawnoftheDread 133387 wrote:

NPS completely clears parking lots that are either little used in winter (the marina) or are only used for trails that themselves don’t get cleared (TR Island). Perhaps if their budget is so very tight they could rethink those efforts.

That’s crazy talk. Any inability of NPS to clear the MVT has to be because of the lack of money due to that big bad Congress. Shifting resources to where they can do the most good is just nuts.

[Anonymous]

@brownnugen 133353 wrote:

Any update on MVT, from Belle Haven Marina to DC?

I rode from Belle View into old town last night. On the way in, I tried the Rt 1 pedestrian bridge. It was blocked on the south end by big piles of plow snow and looked to still have deep snow on the path anyway, so I didn’t bother trying it and took the lane on Rt 1 to get across the beltway instead. (I would not do this at busier times of day, and didn’t much like it last night.). Observation of the north end at Washington st on my way home last night, and further up the bridge from the south end as I drove past it this morning– it is completely clear once you get off the “sidewalk” part at the south end and onto the “bridge” part, and I saw someone riding a bike up it this am. If you are able and willing to portage over the snowplow piles and through the snow at the bottom for maybe 100ft, you could use it.

On the way home, I swung by the MVT instead. The “sidewalk” past the condos is clear, but immediately south of that (ie, as soon as you cross the parking lot entrance), it was untouched and still looked like fairly deep snow (as expected, which is why I tried the other way first). It looked unrideable and it was late and dark and I didn’t feel like trying it, wasting a bunch of time and having to turn around anyway, so I took a lane on GWP instead. (I also would not do that at busier times, but it was perfectly fine last night; all the drivers were very nice and moved completely into the left lane to pass me just as if I were another car. This made me feel good about both my fellow humans and my nighttime visibility). My guess, it’ll be a bit yet before it’s practical to ride on.

[lordofthemark]

@dasgeh 133422 wrote:

Arlington’s BAC had NPS GWMP at our January meeting to talk snow clearing. Upshot: they are open to it and interested in figuring out how to make it work, but given that it will be a change (and one that will need money), it will probably take a while.

Last year, NPS cleared Memorial Bridge and part of the 27 Trail. The Pentagon cleared a different part of the 27 Trail on Pentagon property. There was only about 1/4 mile not cleared. So our ask #1 was to clear the last 1/4 on the 27 Trail. (Allowing folks to bike to Boundary Channel Drive on streets, then use BCD to get to the 27 Trail.)

Ask #2 was to clear the wooden bridge and walkway in LBJ Grove, connecting to the (already cleared) Marina parking lot, then clear the path from the Marina parking lot to the MVT, and the MVT from there to the 14th Street Bridge. This is about 1 mile of clearing, but it’s not contiguous and it’s not contiguous to what they already do. So it’s ask #2

Ask #3 was to clear the entire MVT.

And ask #4, which came up at the meeting, was to allow bikes on the GWMP when the MVT is impassable. Don’t hold your breath on that one.

I am quite sure #2 was what was discussed at the BPAC meeting, I misremembered.

[NickBull]

@dasgeh 133357 wrote:

NPS GWMP confirmed that they have no plans to clear the MVT at all this year. I have no idea how effective Mother Nature has been so far. You might want to focus on the on road connections (get to Boundary Channel Dr, then use the 27 Trail, if that’s cleared, to the Memorial Bridge, which is supposed to be clear).

The good news is that they are engaged and at least talking to us.

I just find it amazing that the “National Park Service” places the highest value on being a local highway department. Teddy Roosevelt would be rolling in his grave if such a thing were possible.

[Author]

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