January 2019 – Road and Trail Conditions

[DrP]

@KWL 186367 wrote:

This was the big ice patch on the Mt Vernon Trail today

For obvious reasons, this was gone today. Puddles abound everywhere and I am hoping the wind this afternoon will dry things out, otherwise it will be an icy mess tomorrow with frozen puddles and newly frozen seepage.

(and what is up with those sections of ground along the MVT north and south of the bridge. They seep water long, long after a rain, as if there are underground springs there ).

[semperiden]

@DrP 186391 wrote:

(and what is up with those sections of ground along the MVT north and south of the bridge. They seep water long, long after a rain, as if there are underground springs there ).

It has been like that since like July last year. There are a couple of drains just above on the GWP. They might be malfunctioning or just overflowing.

[DrP]

@semperiden 186397 wrote:

It has been like that since like July last year. There are a couple of drains just above on the GWP. They might be malfunctioning or just overflowing.

I was thinking something was leaking, but had not investigated to look for drains. This makes something worth telling NPS about (perhaps once they are open?).

[cvcalhoun]

Between Georgetown and Fletcher’s Cove, you really want to use the Canal Towpath rather than the CCT today (and until the National Park Service reopens). The downed tree is too big to go over. And going around involves traversing an area so choked with weeds that you can only go a few inches before having to untangle yourself, your bike, or both. Not to mention the mud and the driving rain.

[ChristoB50]

Happy Happy Joy Joy!
Four Mile Run Trail — creekside as you head east down the slope to pass under West Glebe — the massive green generator/pumping equipment that took over the right lane is gone!
Continuing further along, where the trail puts you on the sidewalk of the road bridge (over Long Branch stream) — the generator/pumping equipment there is also gone.
Does this give hope that the temporary black ‘sewer piping’ will be removed before too long…?

[DrP]

The ice patches are back on the MVT north and south of the Memorial Bridge. Perhaps even larger than before, although not as thick and solid. Yet. Likely to melt during the day and be back tomorrow. The troublesome ones are south of the bridge when you are heading south since at some point you need to pedal while on them – the very right side does have leaves and twigs stuck in the ice and provide some traction.

There are ice bits here and there elsewhere on Custis and MVT, but mostly avoidable and more likely to disappear as the sun warms and dries them.

[cvcalhoun]

I am impressed with my fellow cyclists. Someone brought a chain saw and loppers to the downed tree on the CCT, which was impressive enough since there is no motor vehicle access. That person started cutting up the tree. About 10-12 cyclists stopped to help with cutting it up and moving the pieces to the side of the path. By the time I arrived, it wasn’t perfect, but the trail was definitely usable.

Were any of you guys in Freezing Saddles involved in this? If so, you have my nominations for KOT or QOT.

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[Emm]

This is the sewer pipe on 4mrt just west of the Mount Vernon Ave underpass. It looks like they’re beginning to get rid of the pipe, and just decided to stop work Friday and left the pipe completely blocking the trail. You can walk your bike up the grass but be careful–it’s really muddy and icy from all the recent rain.

I’ll report it in a few minutes but I doubt anything will happen until Monday or Tuesday.

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[ChristoB50]

The pipe has moved quite a bit from Fri evening. I don’t personally think they are or have started dismantling it yet—I wonder if it is contracting in the cold now that, um, nothing warm is flowing inside to keep it warm…

[Judd]

@Christob50 186532 wrote:

The pipe has moved quite a bit from Fri evening. I don’t personally think they are or have started dismantling it yet—I wonder if it is contracting in the cold now that, um, nothing warm is flowing inside to keep it warm…

Just went through here. It didn’t look like work on the black pipe dismantling part has started yet. That section was beginning to shift a bit before the project ended. I’m wondering if there’s some contraction of the pipe occurring too and that’s just one of the curviest parts. I didn’t give the pipe a poke to see if it was moveable.

Also, after you officially report it Erin, don’t forget to claim your QOT point.

[Emm]

@Emm 186530 wrote:

This is the sewer pipe on 4mrt just west of the Mount Vernon Ave underpass. It looks like they’re beginning to get rid of the pipe, and just decided to stop work Friday and left the pipe completely blocking the trail. You can walk your bike up the grass but be careful–it’s really muddy and icy from all the recent rain.

I’ll report it in a few minutes but I doubt anything will happen until Monday or Tuesday.

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Fastest reply ever…

“Hello Erin,
The project is complete and we are in the process of removing the pipe completely! I will check to make sure the pipe is moved off the trail asap.
Thanks”

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[Judd]

@Emm 186547 wrote:

Fastest reply ever…

“Hello Erin,
The project is complete and we are in the process of removing the pipe completely! I will check to make sure the pipe is moved off the trail asap.
Thanks”

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Record fix too:

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[Judd]

Some more timely response from DES: I contacted about the work on Walter Reed at W&OD that put some large gravel down and a huge uneven surface.

They responded to me same day. And had the gravel replaced with asphalt the next day.

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[ChristoB50]

Significant progress in dismantling the temporary black sewer piping along 4 Mile Run trail! This view, seen from South Glebe (just directly east of Mount Vernon Ave.) The wooden temporary bridge is still up (by the water treatment plant), but the smaller wooden temporary bridge, further west between Mount Vernon and West Glebe, is gone!
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[Steve O]

@Christob50 186711 wrote:

Significant progress in dismantling the temporary black sewer piping along 4 Mile Run trail! This view, seen from South Glebe (just directly south of Mount Vernon Ave.) The wooden temporary bridge is still up (by the water treatment plant), but the smaller wooden temporary bridge, between Mount Vernon and West Glebe, is gone!

Those bridges should be given to NPS to put along the MVT where the ice puddles form near the Memorial Bridge.

[Author]

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