Northeast - New York City and Northern Suburbs: trail conditions?

Hi guys!

I was hoping some local folks could tell me about the trail conditions just north of the city - particularly on the South County Trailway. I'm planning to pass through early next week and I was hoping that I could take the trail out of the city.

Are the trails passable for a guy on 32mm tires or are they frozen?

Any thoughts on what the weather up there might do between now and Monday, Feb 1st? It looks like the forecast is calling for some freezing rain, but the daily highs are forecasted well above freezing for all of the next week. I think the judgement of the locals is what I need here..

If the trails are frozen, what's the best escape route North through Ossining? I'm thinking US-9N doesn't look so bad. I'm used to a bit of traffic... Does anyone want to suggest a route or call me crazy?

Has their been snow or melting and refreezing lately? Things are slightly dicey on offroad trails down here in Maryland after a bunch of freezing rain followed by below-freezing temperatures.


Thanks!

It's supposed to be very mild and raining so that will push out alot of the snow.

>It is paved for at least the first 20 miles, (that is as much as I rode), and we presently have mild weather, so the trail should be ok. However, learn from my experience if you are coming from the south.

>I did a portion of this trail, starting south, years ago. One thing I experienced is that when you enter Elmsford, the trail stops. Unless they made signs since I've been there last, you'll never find where it continues. On the right, across the avenue, go north on Vreeland Ave. Stay north on that when it becomes Hayes St. Take that to the end. You are forced to go east, make a left onto 'N.Saw Mill River Rd./ 9A". Then, make the first left, onto Warehouse Ln. The trail continues there as 'N.Country Trailway'.

>Look on Google maps and you'll see what I mean.



Hi guys!

I was hoping some local folks could tell me about the trail conditions just north of the city - particularly on the South County Trailway. I'm planning to pass through early next week and I was hoping that I could take the trail out of the city.

Are the trails passable for a guy on 32mm tires or are they frozen?

Any thoughts on what the weather up there might do between now and Monday, Feb 1st? It looks like the forecast is calling for some freezing rain, but the daily highs are forecasted well above freezing for all of the next week. I think the judgement of the locals is what I need here..

If the trails are frozen, what's the best escape route North through Ossining? I'm thinking US-9N doesn't look so bad. I'm used to a bit of traffic... Does anyone want to suggest a route or call me crazy?

Has their been snow or melting and refreezing lately? Things are slightly dicey on offroad trails down here in Maryland after a bunch of freezing rain followed by below-freezing temperatures.


Thanks!

If you intend to take the path north from Manhattan you pick it up in the middle of Van Courtland Park in the Bronx. Take Broadway to the top of Manhattan and then in to the Bronx. You can cut through the park anywhere after 240th street. The path runs parallel more of less to the Saw Mill Parkway and through the Tibbetts Brook County Park. This is an old rail line and until you are well north of Van Courtland, is a dirt path. In the summer time it takes a long time for the path to dry out. Not sure what the conditions are presently.

If you intend to take the path north from Manhattan you pick it up in the middle of Van Courtland Park in the Bronx. Take Broadway to the top of Manhattan and then in to the Bronx. You can cut through the park anywhere after 240th street. The path runs parallel more of less to the Saw Mill Parkway and through the Tibbetts Brook County Park. This is an old rail line and until you are well north of Van Courtland, is a dirt path. In the summer time it takes a long time for the path to dry out. Not sure what the conditions are presently.

Can't say as to current trail conditions, but the South County Trail is paved from right at the NYC / Westchester County border at the north end of Van Cortland Park. I'm told they recently finished the section from the City of Yonkers HF Redmond Memorial Park north to the former southern terminus at Touissant Ave., just north of Tuckahoe Rd..

In any event, if the section was not finished, you can ride north as far as Redmond Park, then east thru the park to Cook Ave. Head north to Mile Sq. Road and continue north and down a long hill to Tuckahoe. Left (west)and up hill for 2/10 mile and a right on Touissant and you are on the SCT. 7.5 miles to Rt 119 in Elmsford.

From that point a right on Rt 119 for 100ft, then left on Rt 9A for 3/4 mile to Warehouse Ln., then pick up the NCT at that point. Then 36 miles on the NCT and the Putnam extension to Rt 6 in Brewster, then another mile east on Rt 6 to Brewster.

In general there's a lot of water run-off on the trail due to assorted reasons that can make riding the trail treacherous in winter, even with no snow coverage. This is mostly due to lot's off wooded shade that prevents ice from melting. Thus if them temp's have touched freezing north of the city, watch for ice. If's been sunny and warm for a few days, without freezing temperatures NORTH of the city, then you should be OK.