[Bluebug32]

We have a VT trip scheduled for 4 days (B&B reserved) near the 4th of July. It's forecasted to rain every day (40% chance of scattered thunderstorms). I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice....are the trails bad after rain? Is it easy to get off the trails if a storm comes? What else is there to do should we get rained out? We like bike shops, breweries, music etc. We can't reschedule at this point and live about 5+ hours away.

Thanks!

Beth

 

[worldpiste]

The majority of the KT system is on & around Darling Hill, which is very well drained for the most part - probably some of the best trails in VT in this regard. The trails which are up on Burke Mtn. (also part of their system) are a different story...more techy and much more likely to stay muddy longer.

Another bet if you want to travel an hour or so southwest for some different scenery and riding - check out Millstone Hill in Barre VT. The trails are layed out around a bunch of the old quarries, it's great riding, really scenic and may hold up well to rain because of the soils. I haven't ridden there this year or during any rainy spells but if you call and talk to Pete Richardson, he can give you the skinny.

http://www.millstonehill.com/touringcenter.html

Have fun!

 

[Bluebug32]

Thanks! Are all the trails pretty easy to negotiate on our own?

 

[Kingdomseeder]

Its a good idea to plan on different things to do while in the area. I can tell you from experience that there can be 0% chance of rain and we will get a whopper of a storm that comes through the mountains and then there are times when they predict 100% and we don't get hit. It can also rain less than a quarter of a mile away in buckets and where you are you won't get wet. Go Figure. The way I have figured that the foggier it is in the morning the better your chances of no rain and a gorgeous day around here, but again around the mountains it is always a surprise. Just be ready to do something else spur of the moment.

 

[robdamanii]

Ahh, appears we are SOL on this one. Trails are currently closed, no time frame on re-openeing, and no decent weather until saturday, which is going to be partly cloudy, with rain on either side.

Now the question is to cancel or go and spend yet more money driving all over the damned state to find things to do.

 

[metaldork]

how long does kingdom trails usually stay closed? looks like they didn't get any rain yesterday and today's rain is moving quickly. i'm driving up tomorrow and staying til tuesday.

 

[<narlus>]

go to bromont.

 

[(Tom)]

They can't get the weather right one day in advance much less a few days. Also, keep in mind that the darling hill side of KTs is very sandy and dries out really quick - think positively !

 

[robdamanii]

Right on,

Just talked to the guy who runs the B&B we're staying at, and he says that only a few trails were closed, yesterday was bright, sunny and warm, and it's only a slight chance of rain the next few days, so it will likely be open and rideable.

Kingdom's website claims all trails closed. Oy.

 

[yogreg]

I will bet anything that the trails will be open this weekend. There is a ton of people heading up and they know this.

Greg

 

[DaveVt]

It's really wet up here. Kayaking has been great.

 

[Severum]

I myself am expecting the trails to be open. Now only if my fire pit at the camp is dry, then I will be set. Gonna have to bring some fire makin help to battle the soaked ground.

 

[Locotiki]

Gonna have to bring some fire makin help to battle the soaked ground.

I have a boat load of explosives in my garage you can use:madmax: :madmax: :madmax:

 

[Severum]

I have a boat load of explosives in my garage you can use:madmax: :madmax: :madmax:

Fire Fire Fire!!!!!!!!!!

 

[godzilla78]

Don't Worry About The Weather Reports For The Kingdom Trails. There Is Pretty Much A Chance Of Rain Every Day Of The Week There. It Is Almost As If They Are In A Bubble Sometimes. It Will Be Pouring Rain A Few Miles Away And The Sun Will Be Out In Full At The Kingdom Trails. The Trails Are Closed Now So They Can Dry Out For The Weekend. They Will Be Open. I Try To Ride There Every Other Weekend And Every Time I Have Gone The Weather Has Called For A Chance Of Rain And It Maybe Rained For 2o Minutes And Then The Sun Came Out And It Was Great.. A Little Cooler After The Rain. Dont Let The Weather Get You Down, You Can Ride A Lot Of The Terrain If It Is Wet. The Tree Cover Protects Most Of The Darling Hill Side Of The Trails. If You Decide Not To Go, You Know It Will End Up Being Sunny Everday.

 

[Locotiki]

Don't Worry About The Weather Reports For The Kingdom Trails. There Is Pretty Much A Chance Of Rain Every Day Of The Week There. It Is Almost As If They Are In A Bubble Sometimes. It Will Be Pouring Rain A Few Miles Away And The Sun Will Be Out In Full At The Kingdom Trails. The Trails Are Closed Now So They Can Dry Out For The Weekend. They Will Be Open. I Try To Ride There Every Other Weekend And Every Time I Have Gone The Weather Has Called For A Chance Of Rain And It Maybe Rained For 2o Minutes And Then The Sun Came Out And It Was Great.. A Little Cooler After The Rain. Dont Let The Weather Get You Down, You Can Ride A Lot Of The Terrain If It Is Wet. The Tree Cover Protects Most Of The Darling Hill Side Of The Trails. If You Decide Not To Go, You Know It Will End Up Being Sunny Everday.

I agree. We went up Fathers Day weekend and were worried about the predicted rain. Turned out to be a great weekend. The trails were totally dry. There were maybe two spots with a little dried up mud. That place is built to last. They are smart about closing it down during the week if it's wet to keep it prime for the weekends.

 

[yogreg]

.

We went up Fathers Day weekend

When was Father's Day???

 

[rg32]

In Northern Vermont we say wait 15 minutes and the weather will change. As I speak its 78 degrees the sun is out with a comfortable breeze, to dry things out.

If you ride fast don't bother but if you don't bring plenty of bug dope!