thanks Doug for the date info.   FYI, there is ALOT of snow in New Meadows right now and gaining, not receeding!  I would bet that at the first of may, snow drifts may still be pretty deep on the trail.   Something to consider.  John

This cold snowy year that's a possibility with the weatherman promising
seasonal weather "later in the week" for too long now.  Moving to the
highway and side gravel roads would be easy, but the most beautiful part
of the ride is up in the mountains, where we should have spring flowers
by then. The route does follow the river valley down.

Yea, I was wondering if the snow would be gone so soon.  We are having
a very cold spring so that won't help.  Guess we will just have to see
how it goes.   Maybe have to push the date back a month or so.

Doug

Who is John Arland?

I drove thru New Meadows Monday 14 Apr.  There's probably 6" of heavy
wet snow left- the bottom wire on the fences is now exposed, and a
month ago the top wires were still covered.  There's a lot of water in
that 6" of snow though and there is water everywhere as is normal
there near the headwaters of the Little Salmon.  Does anyone have a
local contact to let us know how the snow is melting?

Doug & Corrie, what do you think of the railbed's drainage?  I'm
thinking most of it is good.  That spot where Doug fell likely doesn't
drain, but pushing around it and a couple others wouldn't be a
problem.  Does your memory agree?  On the upper stretches we're never
too far away from either a gravel road or a highway, and can divert if
necessary.  I think it would be a mistake to plan on a diversion for
the entire upper section of the ride though.  Of course, once we come
out of the mountains a couple miles above Council winter's left overs
shouldn't be an issue.

Steve

Corrie writes that interest in the Weiser River Ride fizzled.  Doug,
Sean, & Carol canceled.  I e-mailed all the other riders who had
expressed interest asking if they still wanted to do this ride, and
got no replies, so I reluctantly removed the ride from the calendar
tonight.

I think I'll still do it in a modified way.  I'll drop my camping gear
off at the campground in Weiser on my way up to New Meadows.  Leave
the car there, and ride down the trail, taking my time and many
photos.  Then camp with my stuff in Weiser.  Sunday I'll likely do
that gravel route Doug and I discussed thru Crane Creek Reservoir
area.  If anyone wasn't watching their e-mail and still wants to go,
let me know and we'll try to get specific on meeting times.  I'll try
to blog it, but my photos always seem to require Corrie's assistance
which would let those of you are interested in this ride someday check
out the photos in spring- you've seen photos of it in the fall.

Steve