State of the Capital Crescent Trail

Christopher sends this photo of the CCT, It is not looking good. Lots of snow and downed trees.

Comments

[ethan warner]

after the ice and freeze/refreeze cycle works its magic on the already piece of crap surface, there will be more reasons to never ride on the damn CCT again...

[Early Man]

My fantasy of skiing to work on my backcountry skis just took a serious reality check. I'll just have to wait for another several feet of snow to cover over the fallen debris.

[Scott]

Sligo Creek Trail (near W. Hyattsville Metro) isn't as bad in terms of trees, but there's a solid 28-30" of snow on the trail: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FbetJnx1Usdu09OLCiP23A?feat=directlink

Hiked it yesterday afternoon and it was waste deep. Definitely ready for XC skiing, although I was cutting first tracks.

[Contrarian]

I skied yesterday from the reservoir to Fletchers and all of the downed trees were passable. Good skiing.

[Purple Eagle]

There's a nice ski trail cut around Lake Artemesia too, courtesy of some friends of mine. I was out there in the late afternoon, and saw a guy on a bike - he had been riding in the tromped-down "walker's lane" and stopped to take some photos.

[Keith]

Check out this link on how they clear bike path in Copenhagen

http://www.copenhagenize.com/search/label/snowplough

[David]

Saw a big tree down on the MtV trail by DCA; afraid this will be an issue for all the local trails.

[Nancy]

As of this afternoon, the CCT is passable all the way from Georgetown to Bethesda. Yesterday I went to check it out and there was still a long swath north of the tunnel that was completely covered with snow, but someone must have gone out yesterday or today and shoveled a bit.

So, get out there and commute! Just be careful -- there is only one very narrow lane through some sections, so you have to take turns with oncoming traffic. Most of the trail is clear and bone dry, though.

[Wayne Phyillaier]

I think 'Judy' can be thanked for shoveling a swath north of the tunnel, see CCT Conditions

[Judy]

I had help. I'd taken an extra shovel, and a wonderful fellow stopped and made quick work of mostly clearing a path that I then followed up on with the other shovel. Like the Lone Ranger, he left without my having gotten his name... He said he had cleared other parts of the trail after this snow and the earlier two, so I'm doubly sorry I didn't get his name (didn't realize I'd have a chance to post something about his contributions). I'm sorry we didn't achieve my goal of clearing half the trail. Despite the warmer temps and sun, wherever folks had walked or biked (i.e., everywhere but at the very edge) was icy and stubborn. Others who may want to clear more tomorrow may want to take regular, rather than snow, shovels.

[Nancy]

Thank you so much, Judy, and your unknown helper!