WrightwoodCalif.com Forum
Public Forums => Outdoors => Topic started by: FIGHT ON on Dec 29, 11, 08:27:00 AM
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Does anyone have any pictures or info of the north side of Baldy? Maybe from anywhere on the blue ridge?
Is there still a lot of snow up there that you can see?
Thanks!
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There's some recent Baldy pics in this thread on the Mammoth forum
http://forums.mammothmountain.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9181&start=330 (http://forums.mammothmountain.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9181&start=330)
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There's some recent Baldy pics in this thread on the Mammoth forum
http://forums.mammothmountain.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9181&start=330 (http://forums.mammothmountain.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=9181&start=330)
Perfect! Thank you very much! :) ;) ;D :2thumbsup:
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Does anyone know the trail conditions going west on the PCT from Swarthout Canyon Road?
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Just a guess, but it's probably mostly clear up to Gobbler's Knob at least... then you may start hitting snow in the shaded areas beyond that.
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It was great up there today, with the exception of the trail needing some brushing along the sides. :)
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I've been hiking the trails around Wrightwood for some 40 years and, have to say, this morning I found reason to close the entire National Forest System.
While hiking a back trail just west of and above Mt. High we found the remnants of what appeared to be one big party. Trash everywhere with busted up snow toys up and down the hill. It was obvious a large group had come in, had a great time and then just dumped their trash. On top of that, we found empty boxes of sparklers. I don't need to go any further.
If people can't come up, have a good time then take their trash home then they need to stay away. And, the public restrooms at the area where we park were discusting. Trash everywhere.
Just sayin'
Dave
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dave57, many on this forum appreciate your disgust with the situation. Unfortunately, this is the norm when it comes to "most"snow players. I have also noticed several areas where similar situtaions occured recently. The forest is their playground and trash dump all at the same time.
Fortunatley we do have the Fenner Camp crews and the Volunteers of the ANF who will more than likely be the ones cleaning up this mess. Both of these groups as well as many individuals contribute countless hours cleaning up after these idiots.
Thanks to anyone and everyone who takes the time to clean up after these people, and I use the term "people" loosely.
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I've been hiking the trails around Wrightwood for some 40 years and, have to say, this morning I found reason to close the entire National Forest System.
While hiking a back trail just west of and above Mt. High we found the remnants of what appeared to be one big party. Trash everywhere with busted up snow toys up and down the hill. It was obvious a large group had come in, had a great time and then just dumped their trash. On top of that, we found empty boxes of sparklers. I don't need to go any further.
If people can't come up, have a good time then take their trash home then they need to stay away. And, the public restrooms at the area where we park were discusting. Trash everywhere.
Just sayin'
Dave
Dave, as Elk stated, be glad for the Fenner Crew, the volunteers and REC-34 working out of the Big Pines station. Here is a before and after look a couple of years ago after a particularly heavy snowplay weekend:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php?topic=15125.msg228024#msg228024
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I've been hiking the trails around Wrightwood for some 40 years and, have to say, this morning I found reason to close the entire National Forest System.
While hiking a back trail just west of and above Mt. High we found the remnants of what appeared to be one big party. Trash everywhere with busted up snow toys up and down the hill. It was obvious a large group had come in, had a great time and then just dumped their trash. On top of that, we found empty boxes of sparklers. I don't need to go any further.
If people can't come up, have a good time then take their trash home then they need to stay away. And, the public restrooms at the area where we park were discusting. Trash everywhere.
Just sayin'
Dave
no pics?
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Dave, as Elk stated, be glad for the Fenner Crew, the volunteers and REC-34 working out of the Big Pines station. Here is a before and after look a couple of years ago after a particularly heavy snowplay weekend:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/index.php?topic=15125.msg228024#msg228024
Yes, a BIG thanks to the above groups who help keep our trails and forest clean.
Heading to Devil's Punchbowl last week for the first time, I was expecting to see the same kind of cr*p in those pictures above. It's one of the reason's we never had gone. Especially after seeing what Big Rock creek turned in to. We used to love to picnic there 20 years ago. Then about 15 years ago we went and the place was filthy with grafitti, trash and "people" flashing gang signs as I drove by.... I use the term people loosely too Elk when describing these types. We were happy to see that Devil's Punchbowl had a visitor's center and was maintained by LA County Parks. No trash and/or graffiti! :2thumbsup:
http://parks.lacounty.gov/Parkinfo.asp?URL=cms1_033377.asp&Title=Devil%27s%20Punchbowl%20Natural%20Area
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I've been hiking the trails around Wrightwood for some 40 years and, have to say, this morning I found reason to close the entire National Forest System.
While hiking a back trail just west of and above Mt. High we found the remnants of what appeared to be one big party. Trash everywhere with busted up snow toys up and down the hill. It was obvious a large group had come in, had a great time and then just dumped their trash. On top of that, we found empty boxes of sparklers. I don't need to go any further.
If people can't come up, have a good time then take their trash home then they need to stay away. And, the public restrooms at the area where we park were discusting. Trash everywhere.
Just sayin'
Dave
so sad, wonder if signs would help remind them that there is a law against littering as well as a fine.
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so sad, wonder if signs would help remind them that there is a law against littering as well as a fine.
they have to be able to READ the signs.... many can't read.
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Does anyone know if the Blue Ridge Truck Trail/Forest Service Road 3N06 is open from the 2 near Inspiration Point to the north end of the North Backbone Trail?
map (http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.35180,-117.64589&z=13&t=T&marker0=34.37227%2C-117.70997%2C7.2%20km%20W%20of%20Wrightwood%20CA&marker1=34.32926%2C-117.63645%2C3.5%20km%20S%20of%20Wrightwood%20CA)
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No, it's always closed when Mountain High is open as it crosses the ski runs at Mt High West.
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Does anyone know if the Blue Ridge Truck Trail/Forest Service Road 3N06 is open from the 2 near Inspiration Point to the north end of the North Backbone Trail?
map (http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.35180,-117.64589&z=13&t=T&marker0=34.37227%2C-117.70997%2C7.2%20km%20W%20of%20Wrightwood%20CA&marker1=34.32926%2C-117.63645%2C3.5%20km%20S%20of%20Wrightwood%20CA)
If you are on foot, you can go up the road. When you reach the ski area, just hike (or snowshoe, depending on the conditions) on the other side, where the PCT parallels the road.
A number of people, including my wife and I, will hike or ski the road during the winter. We keep out of the way of the ski area, though, unless we take the lift up. But usually we hike up from our house.
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Just a heads up--the 3 1/2 mile trail up to Baden Powell is passable but best with crampons. The wife and I walked it up to the bench with hiking boots and no crampons and it was slow going because of the considerable ice that is still on the trail. For what it's worth I did run into a teenager who said he made it all the way to the top with just high-top tennis shoes, but your average hiker would need crampons. There are many places in the trail where folks have dug an alternative trail just below and parallel to the main one to avoid the worst ice patches. If you decide to go for it, I wish you the best.
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No, it's always closed when Mountain High is open as it crosses the ski runs at Mt High West.
Thanks, had no idea. it looks like the road on the map is to the south of those ski areas. and I don't remember crossing runs when I drove on there in the summer... :-\
I was going to park a car at the backbone north end and hike up the pine ridge from vg. Guess I could just go down the Acorn Trail and get a taxi!
Is there snow on the Acorn Trail?
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If you are on foot, you can go up the road. When you reach the ski area, just hike (or snowshoe, depending on the conditions) on the other side, where the PCT parallels the road.
A number of people, including my wife and I, will hike or ski the road during the winter. We keep out of the way of the ski area, though, unless we take the lift up. But usually we hike up from our house.
Thanks, is there snow all over that road now?
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Did it snow last night on the pine mt ridge? Anyone, anyone? ;D
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just a dusting from what I could tell... same goes for Baldy... although I only got a few seconds glimpse of both as there's still alot of clouds in that area.
Seems the dusting level was about 8k ft
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Blue Ridge, at Frost Peak also got just a dusting
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Thanks, I want to do pine mt ridge bad but there is rain in the evening tomorrow. not a good time to be hiking in remote places. anything can happen and I would not like being out there hurt with rain pouring on me. ;D
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it will be snow tomorrow night
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it will be snow tomorrow night
snow? great! I can just see myself now!
(http://www.smugmug.com/photos/454219469_aLwno-M.jpg)
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I was up on Baldy this morning and the Pine Mt. Ridge looks pretty clear of snow. But I can't see the other side of Pine Mt. Is there snow on that side? Or on the north section of the North Backbone Trail? Can someone look out your window and tell me please? ;D
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As is typical this time of year, most areas that are shaded are still going to have some snow. Right now, there is snow down to about 6,500 ft on the steeper north facing (sun protected) slopes around the area.
So yes, I'd expect some snow on a good part of the N. Backbone trail, especially from Pine Mtn over to Blue Ridge as I think the sun angle hits pretty low on a good part of that section of the trail.
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Thanks. There are some steep sections on the ridge north of Pine Mountain. And on each side of those sections it's even steeper. I'd hate to hike all the way up the PMR and not be able to reach the Blue Ridge. ::)
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Thanks. There are some steep sections on the ridge north of Pine Mountain. And on each side of those sections it's even steeper. I'd hate to hike all the way up the PMR and not be able to reach the Blue Ridge. ::)
In the winter, the toughest sections on the backbone trail along the ridge from Pine Mountain to Blue Ridge will be the long exposed parts on the southern half. If there is ice there, you'll want crampons and, depending on the ice and your skill, also pickets/rope/harness/ice axe. I did part of in MSR Denali snowshoes and studded footwear last year in worse conditions than now. I turned around with my wife when we got to the most exposed part, and returned to Blue Ridge and then down to our house. Our friends had more technical gear with them, and they continued until about 2:30 and turned around to avoid a deadly return in the dark. After that, we both resolved to get crampons for some of the sketchier places around here.
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In the winter, the toughest sections on the backbone trail along the ridge from Pine Mountain to Blue Ridge will be the long exposed parts on the southern half. If there is ice there, you'll want crampons and, depending on the ice and your skill, also pickets/rope/harness/ice axe. I did part of in MSR Denali snowshoes and studded footwear last year in worse conditions than now. I turned around with my wife when we got to the most exposed part, and returned to Blue Ridge and then down to our house. Our friends had more technical gear with them, and they continued until about 2:30 and turned around to avoid a deadly return in the dark. After that, we both resolved to get crampons for some of the sketchier places around here.
I bought some microspikes for icy spots on other "trails" but don't want to rely them for that section. ;D I don't have ropes or crampons etc. Did you take any pictures?
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I don't have them handy. The problem with micro-spikes and studs, or even crampons, on exposed sections is that you still need something to arrest an icy fall down a chute or ridge. One time, I slid down a chute, unable to stop myself, and put my snowshoes against a tree.
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Oh yeah? How fast were you going when you hitt the tree?
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Gosh, I don't know. I was worried, so fast enough. A bit harrowing.
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For the backbone trail in the winter, you're going to want crampons. Get anti-balling plates to help keep snow from building up on the bottoms (spraying with oil or even cooking spray can help too). Also, an ice ax is a must. You'll want to maintain two points of contact when you take a step. With the exposed side/shade/sun/wind/etc, I imagine you'll have a variety of kinds of snow and ice to deal with in the section from Blue Ridge to Pine Mt. I'd hate to take the big ride down one of those chutes.
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sounds fun!
Imma gonna dust off my crampons and Ice axe!!!
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Possibly a silly question but hoping someone has an answer. Id like to know if the trail to the mines is clear. with "all" this snow I wanted to make sure. (obviously that is a joke) anyone??
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as of last week, there were reportedly only a few patches remaining along the trail. However, if those patches are along any of the slide areas, it could be a long way down if you slip.
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Sometimes I carry my folding shovel for that trail to level it out across the slide areas.
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Does anyone know if the Blue Ridge Truck Trail/Forest Service Road 3N06 is open from the 2 near Inspiration Point to the north end of the North Backbone Trail?
map (http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=34.35180,-117.64589&z=13&t=T&marker0=34.37227%2C-117.70997%2C7.2%20km%20W%20of%20Wrightwood%20CA&marker1=34.32926%2C-117.63645%2C3.5%20km%20S%20of%20Wrightwood%20CA)
Still closed?
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The last I heard: it would be closed until Memorial weekend due to contractor work in the area.
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ty
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I just noticed that the one mile marker on the Baden Powell trail from Vincent Gap is missing. It used to be located near the last switchback before the bench. How long has it been missing? What would it take to get a replacement? Can an average citizen drive his own mile marker into the ground of an official trail or does it have to come from an official Forest Service employee?
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How well could you match the original in shape, size and colors and post. Sometimes trail angels will make things like that appear if it is really important to them and then don't tell anyone. Trail magic.
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Still closed?
What about now? :)
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Blue Ridge Road is closed at the ski slopes in the winter. The road crosses the slopes and is closed during ski season.
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what about now! ;D can you drive past guffy to the north backbone trailhead?
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I've hiked on the Blue Ridge and PCT to Guffy a couple times this summer, and cars were driving by, so I would say yes.
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The gate after Guffy was closed when I camped there a month ago, so you might have to walk the road a couple of miles to get to the backbone trail.
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From the Big Pines Ranger Station FB page:
The Powerhouse Fire delayed the engineers from working on the road down into Lupine by about a month. They are scheduled to start working on the road this coming Monday, July 15th. It should only take a couple of days to get the road open.
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Does anyone know if the engineers were able to start work on clearing the road to Lupine and how it's going? Any ETA on when it might be finished?
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I saw the engineers had a transport lowboy parked at the Mojave Work Center in Valyermo today with a road grader on the platform deck. Hopefully they will be able to start work soon as the are way behind schedule this year. In the past the Forest Service on the Angeles National Forest had three road crews and now we are down to one. The one crew has a schedule for road maintenance and sometimes that schedule can be interrupted by emergencies such as the Powerhouse in June. The road beyond Guffy Campground is only closed to vehicle travel due to rock falls land slides and a major washout until such time as the road can be safe for vehicles to travel on. Thanks to the crews from Camp Fenner for clearing the road early in the spring to Guffy Camp. Heavy equipment is required for the remainder of the work. You can still hike or mountain bike past the gate at Guffy to access the Backbone Trail or the Prairie Fork if you wanted to.
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I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but a large tree has fallen right on the Blue ridge trail, about 1 1/2 miles up. Is this something that the ANF will take care of or do we have to organize a tree cutting party?
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See if Fenner can take care of it.
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Do you know the approximate diameter of the tree in inches? This is usually measured at breast height of a standing tree. Since this tree has fallen across the trail the crews would take out a section of the tree blocking the trail. The tree diameter is important for proper chainsaw bar width and sawer certifications.
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The USFS Engine 38 crew just loves chainsaw practice. They'll have it taken care of in no time. ;D
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I'm not sure of the diameter of the fallen tree. My guess is about 3'. Maybe someone else who has hiked Blueridge lately can give a more exact estimate than mine. Now that the snow is all melting away from Mtn. High, it might be possible for the ANF to access it from the campground above.
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3' is a good guess Domingo. That tells me we need at least a 36" bar on the chainsaw to remove the wedge. It could be cut out with a 24" bar if it was double cut from each side. That is a big tree.
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Tall trees, on second thought, it's probably a little less than 3' diameter. Maybe it's safer to say between 2-3'. I only wish I had brought my tape measure last time I was up there.
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The engine 38 crew will be hiking up this week to take care of it.
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Thanks to Forest Service Engine 38 from Big Pines for tasking to clear the downed tree from the trail. The only concern I have is they should hike up and do the chainsaw work before Wednesday otherwise the tree may be covered in deep snow.
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Here's the downed tree on Blue Ridge Trail.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/Nolena/BlueRidgeTrail.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Nolena/media/BlueRidgeTrail.jpg.html)
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There's another tree down across the trail just below Blue Ridge Campground, but it's small enough to step over.
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We were able to take care of the tree today. happy hiking
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:thumbs:
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Yay!
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i walked up the Blue Ridge trail about a week and a half ago, and noticed a big dead standing tree just past the bridge, that looks like it's about to come down. went past it again today and there is a huge pile of bark (that wasn't there last week) that's been falling off from up high, so watch it when you pass.
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ezzpete, Standing dead trees are comonly referred to as snags. Sometimes these snags can stand for years before they fall. Usually after the wood starts to rot they come down during the winter storms or during wind events. There are thousands of dead snags in the forest due to the drought and the beetle infestation. Dead standing snags are very beneficial to wildfile such as birds for roosting, peraching and nesting sites. A snag becomes a hazard tree if it meets certain criteria such as being a danger to people if it were to fall. It is always important to identify these hazard trees and cut them down when they pose a risk to life or property. The Forest Service, Calfire and Edison are removing hazard trees at an ever increasing rate due to the shear numbers of snags in the forest. Not all snags in the forest are to be considered a hazard unless it would impose an immediate threat to life or property if it were to fall. The snag that you mentioned on the Blue Ridge trail sounds like it could be a hazard tree that needs to come down if it is a risk to hikers on the trail.
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I just hiked Baden-Powell this morning. (I will post pictures later.)
Most of the trail is in great shape. :)
There is some graffiti behind the bench, on the back of a sign near the bottom of the trail, and apparently someone is angry God, as the word "God" on the monument seems to have been battered with a solid object.
Also, there is a large widow-maker overhanging the trail on the north side at about 3 1/2 miles up. A large dead tree is leaning on the branches of a live tree. When it falls, it will land on the trail.
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I just hiked Baden-Powell this morning. (I will post pictures later.)
Most of the trail is in great shape. :)
There is some graffiti behind the bench, on the back of a sign near the bottom of the trail, and apparently someone is angry God, as the word "God" on the monument seems to have been battered with a solid object.
Also, there is a large widow-maker overhanging the trail on the north side at about 3 1/2 miles up. A large dead tree is leaning on the branches of a live tree. When it falls, it will land on the trail.
where's the pictures?
on another note.
i've been noticing many of the trails are getting torn up by mountain bikers. there are deep grooves caused by skidding. if we ever get any rain/snow, the run off is going to make the grooves really bad. also there are bikers going cross country where there are no trails, along with cutting switchbacks and going high on the banks of turns. if you're skidding, you're not in control! SKIDS ARE FOR KIDS!! these trails are probably not going to be repaired, and when they are so bad that nobody can use them, we'll all be screwed. up until a few years ago i was obsessed with mountain biking, and know you DO NOT need to tear up the trails to have fun.