Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Greenbelt
Description
The Greenbelt is part of Ray Roberts Lake State Park. It is a crushed limestone trail--about 10-15' wide--running north and south from US 380 (see google map below) to FM 428 (Sherman Drive) at the midpoint to FM 455 at the furthest north point at the base of the Ray Roberts dam, just west of IDB. There is 6.5 miles from 380 to 428 and 4.5 miles from 428 to 455 for a total of 11 miles. Its an easy trail, but a good way to get in some miles before/after IDB if you're into that sort of thing.
Map
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_...
Location
There are quite a few muddy/soupy spots along the 11 miles today and a few standing water puddles some across the whole path.
Has there ever been an attempt to build some single track out here? Even if it was just something tame it would be awesome to ride single track all the way to IDB.
Given the amount of rain overnight and today in the area, GB will likely be the only trail option for a while. I rode the trail a couple of years ago while the Corps had the spillway open after heavy rains, which flooded parts of the trail. I found the river level sensor at the north end online and at the time the water level was around 20'. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/tx/nwis/uv/?site_no=08051135&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
We're a long ways from that now, but if the lake fills up, you might want to check the level before going out to ride.
The trail was great today. I only rode part of IDB so the total was 35.22 miles. The wind was a killer especially heading South on the return.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/o0BPq_r8WKk
Thanks to Patrick and Ryan for the company from the FM 428 entrance.
I'm planning to ride the greenbelt tomorrow and will continue to IDB and back. I will not be riding a fast pace especially at IDB as I plan to enjoy the day not complain about my legs after the ride. It's a 40 mile ride so that is good enough that I will likely take a PB&J sandwich for post IDB snack. If anyone is interested meeting up let me know. I think I will be there about 9am.
Went Wednesday afternoon. Was wetter than it was Monday morning. The puddles that were already there were bigger plus there were new ones. Still not a problem to navigate around these things.
I'm going to try to go again on Thursday before it turns colder.
Some hikers pointed out to me that there was a bald eagle in the trees near 428. I was skeptical but after comparing what I saw to photos and learning that this is a wintering area for them, I think they were right. Pretty good stuff.
Fran,
Hit us up - Did you roll on Sunday? How was the ride (knowing it's probably rained since then)?
Cricket
Trail up date since Mondays rain?
I'm going to try it tomorrow morning. I did a road ride today and had enough of that.
Has anyone been out there lately? How does it look since it is the only trail in the metroplex open? I know even though it is open it can be quite muddy. Thanks