Paging Gooseberry experts

[ODB]

When is the prime time to go, weather-wise, in the late winter/early spring period? I've got rollover PTO days to burn by April 1, so i'd ideally like to hit the area before then, but not if there's a good chance there'll still be a buncha snow or i'm gonna freeze my a$$ off. Thanks.

[dstepper]

I like it anytime except in the heat of the summer.

[allison]

It really just depends... I know people have gone for Thanksgiving weekend and been covered in snow. We went over MLK day in 06 and it was gorgeously sunny, but mid to high 50s and a little windy at times.

I'd say you'd be totally safe going in March. It's low to mid 60s there this coming weekend

Unfortunately it looks like March is the wettest avg month Temps aren't too bad, though.

[ODB]

Originally Posted by allison

It really just depends... I know people have gone for Thanksgiving weekend and been covered in snow. We went over MLK day in 06 and it was gorgeously sunny, but mid to high 50s and a little windy at times.

I'd say you'd be totally safe going in March. It's low to mid 60s there this coming weekend

Unfortunately it looks like March is the wettest avg month Temps aren't too bad, though.

Is February pretty much a no-go?

[allison]

Originally Posted by ODB

Is February pretty much a no-go?

Do you need to plan it ahead of time? If not, I'd just wait and see how the weather looks closer to the time you want to go. Cause, it's hard to say now what the weather will be like this winter at all. If it'll rain, be hot, dry, etc..

[ODB]

Originally Posted by allison

Do you need to plan it ahead of time? If not, I'd just wait and see how the weather looks closer to the time you want to go. Cause, it's hard to say now what the weather will be like this winter at all. If it'll rain, be hot, dry, etc..

Not necessarily. I'd just like to have something on the calendar to look forward to. I guess i was hoping conditions there were a bit more predictable.

Thanks for the advice.

[mechmann]

i think one of the biggest problems is getting to the goose or back after a rain. the road has a section of red clay that is pretty tough to make it through.

i don't personally mind hot or cold. i don't think you could have the same experience if it was wet though...

[stjunkie]

As mechmann said the road is the only limiting factor to riding Gosseberry. There were a couple times I remember having to get a running start and then end up sliding sidways through a few mudholes. If the road there is un-driveable, the road to Little Creek was always driveable. I've done it before in a couple inches of snow with only a 2wd truck. There are plenty of other trails in the area with some good stuff over in St George also. The only thing keeping me going year round is the heat.

[mtnbikej]

I have been to Gooseberry several times......but it usually the extremes at both ends.....late June/ early July(95-115)....middle of December(40-45).

This year we went at the end of August and it really wasn't too bad. Temps were in the 80's the week before we got there, then they jumped into the low 90's, but humid.

[schleppp]

All this talk about the goose and now I want to go. So when do we plan it???

[Lor]

Guacamole trail is near and I believe you could get there easier than goose. Allison and Mechman know the area. By the way thanks Justin for the directions. I bought the singletracks from you earlier. My RR pics on my phone didn't turn out well but the riding was amazing. It was fun but I was a little scared being alone. Guacamole is a little shorter/smaller but closer to a main paved road. One steep dirt ascent but you could ride or walk up it and then ride.

[Padre]

I've done it in May, September, October and November.

All were warm except November was chilly...in the 40-50's... Had to bust out the warmers for that one.