Post-Sandy ride report

I was definitely expecting some downed trees when I headed out to High Rocks Sun morning Nov 11. It's worse than I imagined. I started at the High Rocks parking lot and took the lower trail our to the campground. Although there are a number of hike-a-bike sections, I rode more than I walked. The major destruction started at the campground and continued most of the way along the 'high road' trail that runs along the top of the ridge back toward the High Rocks lot. Lots of big trees down, collapsed in a domino effect pattern. Lots of leaners too, so I'd stay away in gusty conditions -- more is yet to fall. It's going to take along time to get this back, I think. This section was not just unridable -- major parts were unrecognizable! I had to bushwhack a way back.

After getting back to the lot I took other loop, which crosses Park Road. Between the HR lot and Park Road, one of the gully crossings is completely blocked off by several downed trees. After that it's pretty much OK across the road, along the top of the ridge, and down the steep drop to the creek. There's been some chainsaw work along this stretch. There are some major blockages on the section of the trail that follows the creek.Climbing back up to the top of the ridge is mostly OK -- meaning that you pedal a little, carry your bike a little, and ride some more.

Based on experience with past storms, some of this will probably be cleared relatively soon -- but the campground and the high ridge trail on that loop are likely down for the season.