Glentress Trail Conditions Update, Fri 29th Jan

Here's the latest trail conditions for Glentress:

Car parks: 7stanes and Osprey car parks (at trailhead) are open. Red Squirrel and Buzzards Nest car parks remain closed to vehicles (ice patches on road).

Green Route: All clear of snow except odd 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 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.

The very top loop of the Blue Route still has a considerable covering of snow 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 on Spookywood Climb and Descent (~8" at top of Red Route, more where it has drifted) and also several trees down (we can't get up to cut these yet because of the snow). 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. Pie Run/Mushroom Pie/Magic Mushroom/Tourist Trap are clear of snow/ice, except very occasional patches. Falla Brae is all 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 Delivernance/Redemption Climb.

With cold, clear conditions forcast for the weekend, the trails (even the snow free ones) maybe frosty and icy for a time and the snowy sections are likely to harden up. Take care - although much better than a few weeks ago, the trails are still slippy in places, there's significant snow still on the highest trails and conditions are likely to change quickly.

Final turn and jump on Spookywood Descent

Final turn on Super G. Trail mostly clear but snow still sitting on forest road (this one wasn't ploughed) that Blue Route uses.

Unnamed Freeride - top section to hip jump.

Skills Area - central part at Shelter

cheers,

andy

Ae - Capel Water Bridge

Here's some photo's of the bridge at Capel water. Just goes to show what the force of water can do!!

The diversion is in place so please do not ride the bridge!!

It was actually straight before the flood, just in case you think its not that bad!!

Cheers!!

Ae Diversion

Hey all,

Bad news for the Ae red route I'm afraid!!

During the recent floods we have witnessed a bit of damage, but unfortunately for the bridge over the Capel water (just down from post 17, before The Face) its all just been a little too much!!

4 large trees have been washed down the river and have collided with the bridge, bending the large steel supporting beams and breaking them off their anchor points. The water has also washed away the supports and damaged the small section of boardwalk at the other end, so basically DO NOT RIDE IT, its not safe!!

There is now a rather large diversion in place from post 17, down Mare Cleugh over the Ae water at Craigshiels and up the forest road to post 23. This cuts off The Face, Bran Burn Bash and the Edge and reduces the overall distance quite considerably. Engineers are inspecting the bridge in the early part of next week and we will hopefully look at getting things sorted ASAP!!

I'll post some photo's later!!

Cheers

Glentress Trail Conditions Update, Fri 22/01/2010

The conditions at Glentress have improved from earlier in the week. Here's how they are looking as of lunchtime Friday:

Trailhead to Buzzards Nest climb - still some icy patches in places but reduced in size and starting to soften up.

Buzzards Nest to trailhead descent - some icy patches in places on Electric Blue/Good Game/Admiral. Falla Brae is totally clear of snow/ice (except at entry, post 31).

Skills Area/Freeride Park - depth of snow now reduced to around 3-4" where still lying in open parts. Trails under trees are often clear of snow now.

Trails at/above Buzzards Nest height - depth of snow reduced and softer, will still be hard work with pushing involved on the higher trails (e.g. Spookywood loop on Red Route). Trails on Red Route such as Super G, Hit Squad Hill, Magic Mushroom still have snow/ice on them but much of the normal trail surface is now exposed again on the ride line.

Buzzards Nest and Red Squirrel car parks and access road up to them remain closed to vehicles (ice patches on the road).

Overall, still some ice patches on the lower trails (very slippy) and snow lying in places higher up but reduced in depth overall and softer. On forest roads that have been ploughed, icy patches remain but less extensive than earlier in week.

Please note: the conditions remain difficult (even for experienced riders) and are also likely to change quickly. If venturing out make sure you are prepared and take care. Check out our winter trail riding tips here.

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.

First singletrack climb from trailhead - still odd icy patches in open sections but reducing in size

Final jump on Good Game. Nearly all the icy patches are gone now from this trail.

Freeride Park at Funbox. Still snow on trails in the open but now 3-4" of softer snow (compared to around 1.5 ft a few weeks ago!).

Wallrides section on Cycopath trail - mostly clear although run out from hucks still snowy.

Start of Unnamed/CycoPath Freeride trails - clear under trees but still snowy in open sections.

Glentrool Trail conditions 21/1/2010

The Green and Blue routes are now completely clear of snow and ice.

It was a wild day yesterday around the Big Country route (this is the Axe Head stane and Loch Dee) and although the general snow level is above the highest point snow and ice remains on some of the forest roads.

Between posts 36 - 38 below Buckdas of Cairnbaber (great name) patches of soft snow require care and between post 40 Craigencallie - 43 White Laggan the road is icy and may need to be walked in places.

There is also an active harvesting site in the area of post 45 before Glen Head so watch out for harvesting machines and lorries. The road is also rather messy at this point.

As always on this route go we prepared as apart from when you skirt Newton Stewart early on you are very much on your own.

Chris

Kirroughtree Black Route

I can confirm that all the single track is snow & ice free and riding great. The only frost lift is on the top section of Heartbreak Hill making it that bit harder a climb than normal, just select a couple of gears easier than you would normally or grit your teeth.

A few areas of white ice remain on the fire roads but they are obvious and you can avoid them.

I don't know what happened to the forecast - sun today -  but the light misty rain made for a quite atmospheric trail check and didn't spoil the ride.

The only others I saw out on the trail were the same group of three as yesterday. Get down here, you're all missing out!

Glentress Trail Conditions Update, 19/01/2010

Not looking good unfortunately:

As per previous updates, trails above the Buzzards Nest car park height are still covered in deep snow/ice and pretty much unrideable.

From the trailhead up to the Buzzards Nest car park height, the conditions are very variable. The outward climb is very icy in many places as are the forest roads. The Blue descent back down is also icy in places, especially the start of 'Falla Brae' and on 'The Admiral'. Significant snow is also still sitting on some lower trails such as 'Tourist Trap' and 'Sair Fecht' and this snow is quite stiff and crunchy at the mo', icy on the ride line.

'Falla Brae' descent (from the 'Good Game' turn off to the exit) is now ice free - likely due its' south facing aspect and position on the ridge to get the sun over the past few days.

Overall though, the conditions remain very sketchy - the ice on the trails/roads is treacherous to ride (or walk) on and we'd recommend waiting until conditions improve before visiting Glentress.

Other 7stanes trails across in Dumfries and Galloway are fairing better though with Kirroughtree especially looking a good bet (see Chris's latest report below this post).

Keeping checking back though as the conditions are likely to change quickly - we'll keep you posted on any changes to the trails.

A few pics from today:

First singletrack climb from trailhead - snow in open sections, hard and icy.

Exit of Dougie Bank Climb and start of Cardie Hill Climb. Note thick ice on forest road.

Falla Brae (turn at Red Squirrel car park). Ice free overall.

Timber trail at near end of Magic Mushroom still covered in hard snow. Note fallen branches - look out for these and branches/trees hanging over the trails if you do venture out.

Forest road returning to trailhead on Blue Route after The Admiral. Sheet ice on section of road that has been travelled on (snow compacted and slower to shift).

If you do venture out please take extreme care. Check out our winter riding tips. 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.

cheers,

andy

Kiiroughtree - The snow and Ice has all melted

I've been out checking the blue and red route today, all the snow has gone and the only remaining ice is a few avoidable patches on a couple of the fire road sections.

The hard frosts haven't damaged the trail and its riding really well.

The only other riders I saw today were a group from the West Midlands who had done the black route as well. They said the few remaining patches of ice were avoidable and it was all in great condition.

The car park is open again now and the flood on the final section has gone so the whole trail is open, so no excuses, get out and ride it, you know you want to!

Chris

Ice reports!!

Dalbeattie trailhead car park has re-opened!! Reports from the weekend are saying that the majority of the Dalbeatie trails are clearing nicely, although there are still areas where the ice is hanging on! Any ice that is left is pretty slippy so if you are riding, please take care!

The car park at Mabie was inspected this morning (monday) and the decision has been made to leave it closed due to the ice. The trails are still also pretty bad and the general opinion is to possibly leave it a week before you head out.

Ae is also still suffering, especially on the forest roads. We can only imagine that it will still be pretty bad on the higher, open areas of the forest.

We're hoping that the thaw will continue and hopefully things can get back to some sort of normality! Unfortunately it looks like there's more snow forecast for later in the week so here's hoping it doesn't come to much!!

Keep your fingers crossed!!

Kirroughtree - The Good News & The Bad News

Things have got worse before they get better.

The good news is that the snow is completely gone from lower levels and will soon be gone higher up on the black route. You can now see where the ice is which helps.

The bad news is that the remaining ice, and that covers any where not under the trees, is totally unridable with normal tyres.

More rain is forecast but it is unlikely to shift all the ice in the next couple of days and the car park remains closed.

Most of the blue and red singletrack is clear but the fire roads and open areas are like glass.

The black route is more in the open and higher up and will take longer to clear.

The safest option is to wait until next week, what ever you do don't try and ride the ice without spiked tyres.

Chris

Kirroughtree - The thaw is coming

Temperatures at low level at Kirroughtree have remained above freezing in the past 24 hours and despite a light fall of fresh snow the ice is melting.

The blue & red route singletrack under the trees is snow free or has a dusting, the open areas, especially the fire roads have up to an inch with soft ice under it which is still slippy.

The car park and access road is still very icy and closed off.

A group of riders from Ireland confirmed that the singletrack sections of the red route were "good fun" today but that the roads were still difficult. None of them managed round without an off at some point.

If you look carefully at the photo's below you can see the imprint of a bike and rider in the snow. They had a good time though and were heading out for a second lap.

The black route still has a lot of snow and ice on it.

If the forecast is right we are due a big thaw starting tomorrow so hopefully the trails will be ice free soon.

Chris

Ice Report No 3! Glentress Trail Conditions Update

Yep, the icy conditions that are affecting the 7stanes trails in the west are also a real problem here at Glentress in the east.

The forest roads that have been driven on/scraped in particular are extremely icy and slippy, as are the lower trails where the snow compacted on the ride line has now turned to hard ice in many places especially in the more sheltered spots under the trees (e.g. lower sections of Falla Brae). The thaw did set in a little on Monday and Tuesday but there is still alot of snow around on nearly all the trails and it remains deep and unrideable on most sections above the Buzzards Nest car park.

Entry to Falla Brae. Still deep, fairly soft snow on the trail with no real defined ride line and icy ruts underneath. Forest road has been scraped, this compacted snow is now getting icy and super slippy. Riding on it not recommended!
The Osprey car park (next to cafe and bike shop) is the only one open at Glentress just now. This has been gritted but remains quite slippy. The bikeshop is open as normal (Wed - Sun) and the cafe will be reopening on Thursday (after being closed due to frozen pipes).

So at the moment we'd recommend waiting until the conditions improve before visiting. Please, do get in touch with the MTB Ranger's here at Glentress on 07834 435380 for the latest news.

Another Ice report!!!

Hey there,

The conditions at Ae, Dalbeattie and Mabie are pretty similar to Kirroughtree. The ice is starting to thaw and is clearing well in some areas, and not so good in others! The car parks at Dalbeattie and Mabie remain closed due to the ice.

The conditions are generally going to be quite difficult until the bulk of this ice shifts but if you are brave enough to venture out onto the trails then please take some precautions! Take appropriate clothing and kit, make sure you've got some essentials (water, food, mobile phone!), try to go in a group or with a friend and if not then ensure someone knows where you are!

Enjoy and stay safe!!

Kirroughtree - Ice Is Not Nice

The snow is thawing now and areas where there was no compaction are clearing but areas where the snow was compacted (the forest roads and some ride lines on the singletrack in open areas) are VERY icy and unridable with normal tyres.
The access road to the car park is also sheet ice and remains closed off.
The forecast for the next few days is for light rain showers by day and slight frost at night so things should slowly improve.
The weekend is forecast milder with heavy rain, that should help shift the ice.
Watch this space.

Chris

Kirroughtree snow update 6/1/2010

We had a further 2" of snow here in the south west this morning so conditions out on the trails will be more difficult than yesterday. If you are out watch out for low hanging branches weighed down by the snow and go well prepared, if you have an accident and require assistance it may be a while coming.

Chris

Dalbeattie/Mabie and Ae Snow reports!!!

Tis a white out!!

No nice wintery photos I'm afraid but after another large dump of snow this morning, all the trails are pretty well covered. There is still the problem of under-lying ice as well, especially on the forest roads and in the car parks. The car park at Mabie is closed due to the conditions, that and the fact that you could drive your car in but you certainly wouldn't make it out!!

If you do feel that you can handle the conditions, then please check the regional weather forecasts and listen to police and local council weather warnings. In my opinion, you would have to be a VERY experienced winter rider to venture out on any of the trails!!

Get the turbo trainers fished out!!

Gibb

Kirroughtree snow report 5/1/2010

It snowed last night, and we now have a general cover of 2" but less under the trees. A couple of riders were on the red route today as you can see by the tracks in the pics.

The car park is still unusable and ice lies under the fresh snow in places, especially on the fire roads and sections of singletrack in open areas.

The red and blue routes will be harder than normal (the trail grades no longer apply) and conditions could change very quickly, especially if we get a slight thaw followed by more frost.

The black route would be very hard work at the moment and quite hazardous in places.

Only ride if you have the experience to assess the conditions and are willing to accept the added risk of riding on snow and ice.

Chris

Glentress Trail Conditions Update, 06/01/2010

Firstly - a Happy New Year to all! Here's the latest trail conditions for Glentress:

-

Wed 06/01/2010: Heavy snow across the Borders overnight. 4 - 6 inches added at the trailhead at Glentress! And more snow falling this morning. There will be no compacted ride lines in this so riding on the trails through the fresh snow will be a struggle, even on the lower Blue loop (see below). The main road (A72) from Peebles to Glentress is completely snow covered this morning - would recommend waiting until the conditions improve before visiting.

-

Tue 05/01/2010: a further inch or so of snow added on Monday night in Peebles area. Top layers of snow on trails still quite soft and powdery. Access road from main road (A72) and into Osprey carpark completely white and very slippy.

Sun 03/01/2010: more snow yesterday in the Peebles area has added a further 1 - 4 inches on the trails! This fresh snow is quite soft and powdery (and slippy!) under tyre at the mo'.

Fri 01/01/2010: current trail conditions at Glentress, which adds to our previous update on 27/12/2009:


More snow overnight has added a further inch or so of fresh snow to the trails. The climb from the trailhead up to the Buzzards Nest car park and the Blue Route back down remain the best trails to ride on, though these are only suitable for experienced riders used to riding in the snow.



Start of Cardie Hill Climb. Ride line developed but look out for frozen, icy ruts.

The fresh snow has provided some more grip on these lower trails but also hides the frozen, icy ruts underneath - it's very sketchy to ride on.

It's not really worth trying to ride higher up than the Buzzards Nest car park at the mo' - the snow's too deep and there's lots of walking involved both up and down.



Start of Blue Return Route and forest road climb towards Spookywood Climb. Deep snow! No compacted ride line - unrideable.



Final turn on Spookywood Descent. V.deep soft snow. No tyre marks!! Would be pushing all the way down this trail at the mo'.



Hit Squad Hill Entry. Ride line developed but sketchy with icy ruts in snow underneath a couple of inches of fresher snow.



Mushroom Pie Entry. Pie Run, Mushroom Pie and Magic Mushroom have less snow but are suffering from frozen, icy ruts in the older snow, making riding very difficult.




Remember - the conditions are likely to change quickly - be prepared. Check out our tips on riding the trails in winter.


Cheers,
Andy (MTB Ranger)