Tuesday's conditions

The trail is sure drying up fast.
Running the western portion of Headwaters Trail, it was almost possible to run the course without muddy shoes.
The one small tree that had been laying right across the northern portion of the upper loop to the farmer's field is now gone. The two other obstacles remain.
The cut/gulch/gorge is now clear footing. A few tiny pieces of ice (not enough to slip on) could be seen in the leaves lining that section of the trail.

Tuesday's conditons

The trails are improving rapidly.
It was almost possible to run the Headwater's section of the trail without getting your shoes dirty or wet.
The gulch/cut still has ice along the upper portion. The remainder of the Headwater Trail was ice/snow free.

Weekend conditions

The trails were just a little muddy on the weekend.
The ground is almost thawed totally and there are some mud holes waiting to suck in your feet.
Areas that are typically covered in water during the spring are including the Monarch Trail, the trail down to the creek crossing off the Monarch trail. and the out and back to Turnbull Road.
There are two sections still with ice--the trail hidden in the evergreens by the Lookout Trail and the Gulch/Cut.
There was several pieces freshly of freshly blown down from Thursday or Friday might along the edge of the trail. There are three obstacle now across the trail on the circular top to the Headwaters Trail.

Thursday's conditions

I was on the Headwaters section last night and the snow and ice is almost gone.
There was still a ribbon on the downhill side from the farmer's field but the rest was clear.
The trail is really muddy though and today's rain is not going to help much.
There are spots where you can put your foot down and be fine. The next step the ground may look the same but your foot could disappear in mud up to your ankle.
The two trees are still across the trail on the upper loop of Headwaters.
The cut/gorge, half-pipe (what ever you call it) was still lined with ice but it was not sheer ice and was passable it you were careful.

Conditions Tuesday

Things are starting to change rapidly in the valley.
While there is still snow and ice to be found, it is disappearing fast leaving some big mud patches in it's place.
Several of the shaded areas on the trail are still covered in ice but this is becoming much softer and breaking under the weight of a runner's step.
The long run down from the farmer's field is still cover in ice and was running ankle deep in the run-off water.
Some of the muddy patches just suck you foot in up to your ankle. These spots can surprise you. One set is fine, the next your foot disappears without warning.
Weather was great for a run Tuesday with the sun shining brightly.

Sunday's conditions

Sunday brought a mixed bag of conditions on the valley trail.
An early start for a run hand people sliding around on ice, especially on any of the north facing hills and any place the sun is not getting through the tree cover.
Where the trail sits wide open there are large pools of water or deep mud.
As the day warmed up, the ground thawed, and there was more mud.
It is going to take at least until the end of the week I sure before the ice will disappear. The cold overnight temperatures is not helping.
It was definitely a weekend to be running with screws in the bottoms of your shoes.
Those using road shoes really had a tough run.