I'm starting to realize that picking good trails in Squamish is strongly linked to aspect….really this applies everywhere, but in Squamish it really matters because of our various areas with their different exposures. The south and western facing trails are always best after the rain.
Trails with a more northern exposure (ie, Manboobs) or eastern (Rupert), seem best left for dry hot times, when you want a trail that has retained moisture and not yet turned to dust. Following a rain, south and west facing rides like Room with a View and Half Nelson will help you dodge the puddles.
Of course, this has a lot to do with how the trail is made and what it is made out of. However, making trail choices based on stem-mounted compass might not be a bad approach for people who don't know each and every trail.
That all said, yes Rupert has taken a huge beating due to the massive increase in ridership and its sudden popularity. I would also suggest avoiding Manboobs altogether unless you really like wheel-sized mudpits….I think it's near top of the list for the trail crew.
Rumour is that Fred is now back in the realm of the riding. This is great. Rumour is also that Deliverance got some love. A quick inspection indicated that the love it got was indeed of the cheap inbred back-alley variety, and not the sweet and nurturing total rebuild that it needs. Dead End Loop also seems to be rideable…just be ready to turn around if there are work crews in the area. Did Word of Mouth and Lower Power Smart this week. Both were top notch conditions.
