Topic: WTA - Flatwoods main trail (34-36) closed!

[SandPine]

Has anyone been on that section of trail since Elisa's report?  Please post reply.  See below email that came from the WTA Patrollers group.

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Eddie Anderson

Thanks for the heads up. This section is now closed please spread the
word. Thanks Eddie

Eddie Anderson
Park Manager
Parks, Recreation & Conservation
Wilderness Park
Tele: (813) 987 - 6211

E-Mail:

>>> Elisa Carlson  4/12/2008 3:32 PM >>>

It hasn't rained in a couple of days, but there is still a shin-deep
pond on the main trail between these two points. I don't know how fast
it drains there, but we got a pond in the trail that goes for 12-15 feet
and it's surrounded by hogged-up slushy mud that is at least ankle-deep
for several feet on either side with thick undergrowth. Tough to
navigate - just a heads up.
Elisa

[treadlight]

I was there last night approx. 6:35p and the crossing is doable but you will have wet shoes.

Heart Break Ridge's bridges are dry but one of the bridge seems to be sliding down just be careful when crossing.

[Jersh]

I rode through there Thursday evening (4/10) and the crossing was high but as Treadlight said, you can get through it without any problems other than some wet shoes.  As SandPine said, it's hardpack through there, so it's very solid even though it's under water.  It's been under water for the last couple months, just a few inches deeper now. 

[Gregg]

I am confused, I read Elisa's report. She makes it sound like there is water on the trail. Is the water on the trail or is it just on the gravel road where clay gulley crosses?  I was there Friday afternoon and it was pretty deep 12 to 18 inches, but I rode right through it. Could we clarify this?

[treadlight]

I am confused, I read Elisa's report. She makes it sound like there is water on the trail. Is the water on the trail or is it just on the gravel road where clay gulley crosses?  I was there Friday afternoon and it was pretty deep 12 to 18 inches, but I rode right through it. Could we clarify this?

The water is just at the culvert section and I think this area is designed to be underwater since the top of culvert has lower elevation than the gravel part of the fire road. I would say no less than 12 inches deep.

Morisson

[Gregg]

Ok, I just got off of the phone with Eddie. He says that he had one of the rangers go out and look yesterday an there is a section of trail between 35 and 36 that has some standing water on it. It is a 60 to 80 foot section.

He is going to let me know later for sure, but it sounds like the way around it is to splash through Clay Culley and take the bailout to the pavement. This will only cut out a few tenths of the ride, but will keep the trail from getting rutted.

Also, for those of you that didn't know, Heartbreak Ridge is closed due to high water (it is heartbreak island right now).

[SandPine]

---- Forwarded Message ----
From: Eddie Anderson

All trails in flatwoods are open now. Thanks for all of your imput.
Please pass the word on to everuone. Eddie

[Gregg]

Thanks for the update!

[Jersh]

Sweet!  See you all out there tonight...

[Gregg]

There was nothing there but the normal Clay Guller water. It wasn't as deep as it was on Friday.

[Jersh]

Yeah, the 'pond' that was referred to in that email has been there for, I dunno, forever? 

[BrokeSpoke]

---- Forwarded Message ----
From: Eddie Anderson

All trails in flatwoods are open now. Thanks for all of your imput.
Please pass the word on to everuone. Eddie

I was out there 4/17/ and heartbreak ridge was closed.......

[Gregg]

Technically speaking Heartbreak Ridge is not in the Flatwoods park, it is in the Morris Bridge Section, Which along with the Trout Creek section all make up the "Wilderness Trails"

Indian and Gator Bait are currently closed as well.

[BrokeSpoke]

Indian and heartbreak were both open today when I rode, both are dry however Indian had one little pit of mud. 

[Anthem1]

That's great news, I have missed Indian What kind of shape is she in?

[Ken]

After what we did to her at Squiggy, that's good news!

[BrokeSpoke]

I have never rode Indian before squiggy so I can't compare a before and after, there was a few areas where ruts have been made but everything was ridable and surprisingly dry.
I did not check to see if gatorbait was open but If I manage to get out there before dark I'll go check it out.

[BrokeSpoke]

Gaitorbait was dry as well, looked good. 

[elisajcarlson]

hello! That was my second time in a year to that spot where I saw the "pond", so it could always be like that...I would be surprised, however. I must have hit that section at a special time. I tried to find a way around it but ended up just wading through, as the whole region was a wetland at the time. If I confused anyone, I apologize, but that is how I found it at the time, and I was concerned enough to notify because I've noticed other trails get blocked off for less flooding than that.