in Blue Mound (Moderator: Walt Hougas)

I got out early and cleared off Over Lode Trail. A good hard freeze would be OK.

Walt

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I stopped at the park office this afternoon and Ranger Brian was there. He was OK with the idea that the trails could be open during freeze conditions.

Gary and I had a good ride through Over Lode/Chert Dip. The trail is slow because the trail was saturated when it froze and the top layer of mud froze.  Frozen mud = dirt/ice emulsion. The ice begins to sublime away resulting in a dirt mousse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousse

It's kind of like riding in sand, but with more crunchiness. Good traction, but takes extra power to pedal through.

BEWARE THE DIRT MOUSSE! (There's no real problem, I just like the ominous sound.)

Walt

Here's a view looking back at the ravine crossing just before the first climb on Over Lode.