Hello,
The fresh snow we had on Tue 2nd Feb has nearly all melted away again with the milder weather we got on Thursday. Some of this melted and refroze leaving large patches of sheet ice though - look out for these on the forest roads mainly, especially in sheltered spots. The older snow/ice remains as before – see below.
Here are the latest trail conditions for Glentress:
Car parks: 7stanes and Osprey car parks (at trailhead) are open.
Red Squirrel and Buzzards Nest car parks and access road to them now reopen (but may be closed again if the road becomes icy again).
Green Route: All clear of snow except odd icy patch on forest road.
Skills Area: Most trails clear of snow but some icy/snow patches remain (e.g. around shelter).
Freeride Park: Majority of trails clear of snow, although large patches of icy snow remain in sheltered spots (e.g. start of the Essentials Freeride trail).
Blue Route: Lower loop from trailhead to Buzzards Nest and back down - most trails clear of snow with only occasional icy/snow patches. On Upper loop, climbing to post 25 then returning via Blue Velvet, the trails are mostly clear although bigger patches of snow/ice remain in places, especially on the forest roads.
The very top loop of the Blue Route still has a considerable covering of snow/ice with 3-6" sitting on Betty Blue and the following forest road descent back to post 25 - would recommend avoiding this loop.
Red Route: As per Blue Route to post 25. Still significant snow/ice on Spookywood Climb and Descent (~8" at top of Red Route, more where it has drifted). Trying to do this loop will be very hard work with lots of pushing - not recommended. Further down, Super G and Hit Squad Hill are mostly clear although snow/icy patches remain, especially on forest roads. Pie Run/Mushroom Pie/Magic Mushroom/Tourist Trap are clear of snow/ice, except very occasional patches. Falla Brae is clear.
Black Route: first half of the Black Route (from Buzzards Nest to mast) - expect lots of snow, especially on Kipps Climb/Britney Spears/Mustard Snake (too deep still to ride). On the second half, the Boundary Trail will still have lots of snow in places, less on Deliverance/Redemption Climb.
Take care – although better than a few weeks ago, the trails and forest roads are still very slippy in places, there's significant snow still on the highest trails and conditions are likely to change quickly.
Look out also for fallen/hanging branches, fallen trees and broken tops to trees. We've not been able to get out and inspect all the trails yet. If you do spot anything, please let us know on 07834 435380.