Snow plowin’

[dbb]

As I was riding in this morning on the MVT (from FMR to the 14th Street Bridge) it appeared that some plowing had occurred between Gravelly Point and the bridges. I say this because the big snow/ice clods that are cast to the side by plows were along the trail.

I’ll inquire of the NPS.

I would agree that much of the MVT could take care of itself and we would be (largely) fine if the problem spots such as the bridges and habitually shady areas were addressed. While that wouldn’t open the trails to all immediately after a snowstorm, it would allow it to open much more quickly. By addressing those locations early (lets face it, we all know where they are), we might minimize the ice packs that form and take extended periods to melt.

[consularrider]

@dbb 77625 wrote:

As I was riding in this morning on the MVT (from FMR to the 14th Street Bridge) it appeared that some plowing had occurred between Gravelly Point and the bridges. I say this because the big snow/ice clods that are cast to the side by plows were along the trail.

I’ll inquire of the NPS.

I would agree that much of the MVT could take care of itself and we would be (largely) fine if the problem spots such as the bridges and habitually shady areas were addressed. While that wouldn’t open the trails to all immediately after a snowstorm, it would allow it to open much more quickly. By addressing those locations early (lets face it, we all know where they are), we might minimize the ice packs that form and take extended periods to melt.

I rode there yesteday and clearly the MVT had been plowed from the Gravelly parking lot to the first bridge. Some nasty stuff after that heading north.

[Terpfan]

To Gravelly seems countintutive, I would even be happy if they did up to 4MR and then the fine folks maintaining 4MR did it at least for a mile or two. Would make the MVT still useable at least. Hmm, curious to hear what they say and thanks for all filling in the gaps of knowledge.

[KWL]

@cyclingfool 77600 wrote:

AFAIK, this is their “real” reason:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]4804[/ATTACH]

‘Tis true. Many years ago I got an official reply from the GW Parkway folks stating a multi-use trail is for all users (including skiers) and expressing the concern of runoff into sensitive areas the MVT goes through. It’s just laziness. As I’ve written before, no one wants to ski the MVT after a single thaw and freeze cycle. Plowing doesn’t mean they need to use chemicals. And doesn’t the plowed & chemically treated GW Parkway go through the same “sensitive areas”?

It is nice to see Alexandria plowing trails within the city.

[baiskeli]

@KWL 77830 wrote:

‘Tis true. Many years ago I got an official reply from the GW Parkway folks stating a multi-use trail is for all users (including skiers) and expressing the concern of runoff into sensitive areas the MVT goes through. It’s just laziness. As I’ve written before, no one wants to ski the MVT after a single thaw and freeze cycle.

Not sure where you get that. I skied last Friday and conditions were pretty good. Better than the day before, in fact, when it was wet and rainy. Conditions for skiing vary by temperature, but a single freeze and thaw don’t necessarily make them bad. They were better Friday morning than all day Thursday, that’s for sure. That was just one cycle, but I’ve certainly skied after two or three cycles in good conditions.

[KWL]

@baiskeli 77835 wrote:

Not sure where you get that. I skied last Friday and conditions were pretty good. Better than the day before, in fact, when it was wet and rainy. Conditions for skiing vary by temperature, but a single freeze and thaw don’t necessarily make them bad. They were better Friday morning than all day Thursday, that’s for sure. That was just one cycle, but I’ve certainly skied after two or three cycles in good conditions.

I do get what you say – not everyone is looking for groomed ski trails or pristine snow. My take on this is formed by my observing ski tracks off to the side of the MVT but rarely on the crusty iced trail surface.

[Author]

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