Description:
Heartbreaking report... Neither trail is marked closed by the FOREST CIRCUS. There is an excess of 400 trees blocking the trail with most down within the western burn area. I'm not exaggerating on the number of trees. As I started the ride from shadow bay road clockwise, I was excited to see the first 2 miles of the trail was cleared recently but only to the south shelter. A trail that normally take 3hrs on avg to ride, took me close to 5hrs due to hopping hundreds of trees and thousands of branches and debris in the trail. The trail is blocked at the N. campground, not accessible to continue. It's not worth attempting to ride the trail anytime soon, unless the USFS gets this place cleaned up. Such a beautiful iconic place that has been destroyed by fire the USFS management. Saddened to see this!

Local Weather During Report

  • Summary
    Clear
  • Temperature
    15° (11°/27°)
  • Precip
    0 mm/h
  • Wind
    3.39 km/h
  • Cloud Cover
    3%
  • Humidity
    0.73

Previous Reports

statusdatedescription
Aug 17, 2026 @ 9:23am
Aug 17, 2026
Rode the trail CCW from shadow bay. Entire loop. About 90 trees down. Asked for permission to clear and was told the trail is closed. That said... view
Jul 17, 2026 @ 3:02pm
Jul 17, 2026
Rode the full loop after a thunderstorm for a sunset ride on the west shore and in the dark on the way back to shadow bay. Between black creek... view
Jul 3, 2026 @ 12:56pm
Jul 3, 2026
First ~ miles along north shore is clear and rideable, then trail becomes unrideable and unwalkable due to down trees and debris. view

3 Comments

  • + 0
 Dear Heartbroken, You should call the USFS before you go ride any trail, but especially a long distance trail and especially in the spring. Trees fall down every year, even more trees fall down in a burn area. That trail is at 6000' where usually we can't clear the trail until right before the 4th of July weekend. That is the typical "first ride" for everyone on that trail. If you read the reports before yours you will see that the trail was CLOSED by a contractor, not the USFS. We, the USFS, were not allowed to enter their work area until June when we cleared the South Waldo section. A quick phone call to the Middle Fork RD will save you some heartbreak in the future. Know before you go!
  • + 1
 Uh, FROM A CIRCUS employee! Instead of replying to reports as a public employee, get out and get work done. Been riding the trail long before, and most likely you've been alive!
  • + 0
 I’m just here for the circus popcorn





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