June 20th - 23rd Trails in southern 2/3rds of Indiana closed

indytrekracer · Jun 20, 2019

Weekend Trail Outlook (June 21 - 23):

There is no chance that any trails in the Southern 2/3rds of Indiana will be open this weekend. We have received 6" to 8" or rain, with more rain forecast every day through the weekend. The rain and storms have created issues far more important that mountain bike trails being opened. Many homes are flooded, roads are closed, and a number of tornadoes touched down throughout the area.

It will take 2 or 3 dry days in a row for them to recover. At this point, more rain is forecast every day into next week.

Please note the following:

Brown County State Park is currently closed. It's water system was damaged.It will be closed through this weekend.

Hoosier National Forest has closed all trails in the Hickory/Bedford areas. This closure could last quite a while. This includes Nebo Ridge and Combs Road.

There are still some roads that are closed or restricted. Flooding roads are a major concern with more rain on the way. Please take note if planning gravel road rides this weekend.

Trail reports from O'Bannon and Versailles State Parks are that trails will be closed through the weekend. Every trail system in Central and Southern Indiana is posting the same conditions.

If you are planning to move your ride to out side of Indiana, please check local conditions as this weather system has impacted trails in many other states.

indytrekracer · Jun 23, 2019

Update, We continued to get more rain last week through today. There is a chance for more rain tomorrow, but then the forecast turns for the better. We have inspected most of the trails. The trail hardest hit was Hesitation Point. The lower section was hit had and needs to be repaired prior to reopening. For those in the area, we are holding a trail work session on Thursday (6/27/19) night. Meet at Hesitation Point between 5:00PM and 6:00PM. Volunteers will be sent down as they arrive. HMBA will provide tools. We will post on the expected reopening date for the trails, depending on how successful we are on Thursday.

Note the Park is only going to be open on a limited basis this week, and there is no water in the park. The only restrooms will be the primitive restrooms.

State Parks official Notification below.
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Update: Brown County State Park will remain CLOSED to overnight guests (camping, lodge and cabins) through at least Monday, June 24, 2019. This is due to an ongoing issue with sediment in Ogle Lake that is impacting the park’s ability to produce potable water. All inn and campground arrivals for Monday have been contacted.

On Monday, June 24, 2019, the park will begin to allow LIMITED DAY USE ONLY with the following restrictions:
•Park hours on Monday, June 24 will be 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. The entrance gates will be open, but the park will have no admission fee.
•All modern restrooms are closed. Vault toilets will be open.
•All drinking fountains are off; guests must bring their own drinking water.
•Abe Martin Lodge is closed.
•The outdoor pool and the aquatic center at Abe Martin Lodge are both closed.
•Mountain bike trails remain closed to biking and hiking, and horse trails remain closed as well. They are still being assessed for storm damage following torrential rain and wind.
•Trails 1 and 3 are usable, although they are wet and muddy. Trails 4, 6 and 7 are closed due to storm damage. Trails 2, 8, 9 and 10 have washed out areas and damage to some bridges and boardwalks; use with caution. Please observe and honor any trail closed signs.
•The nature center and park office will be open on their regular schedules.

Closure of overnight facilities beyond Monday night will be evaluated as we watch lake conditions and rainfall. See additional information about steps to resolve the potable water issue at ****************2Rufexz.

indytrekracer · Jun 27, 2019

Brown County State Park is open for camping. We are hoping to finish repairs to the mountain bike trails and have them reopened for Friday (6/28/19). Expect busy trails as most of us in Indiana haven't been able to ride off road for a while.

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sns1294 · Jun 27, 2019

Thank you for the updates and work to repair the trails! We feel your pain from central Illinois as we've been dealing with similar weather and trail issues. We have a group planning on a trip your way this weekend so hoping for positive news!

brewclymbr · Jun 27, 2019

indytrekracer said:
Brown County State Park is open for camping. We are hoping to finish repairs to the mountain bike trails and have them reopened for Friday (7/28/19). Expect busy trails as most of us in Indiana haven't been able to ride off road for a while.

Did you mean Friday July 28 or this Friday June 28? I was just curious thanks

indytrekracer · Jun 28, 2019

The mountain bike trails (except Bobcat) at Brown County State Park are open. Our volunteers have been busy the last 2 weeks, chainsawing and repairing damage from the flash flood.