LoamHow does Loam know if a trail is rideable?
Recent rain
How much fell, when it fell, and whether more is coming.
Local ground
Soil and terrain affect how quickly water drains or lingers.
Sun and cover
Tree cover, slope, and exposure change the drying pace.
Current weather
Temperature, freezing conditions, and ongoing precipitation matter too.
Official closures take priority
When Loam has a current closure from the managing authority, the trail is shown as closed even if the environmental model would otherwise say it is rideable. Riders should always respect posted signs and local guidance.
Where does the data come from?
Loam uses weather forecasts, soil surveys, satellite tree-cover readings, and elevation data. Find the providers and what they supply on the data sources page.
How accurate is Loam?
Loam publishes rider agreement and weather cross-checks with their sample sizes. Rider reports describe what someone encountered, while weather comparisons check inputs. These are different kinds of evidence, and neither guarantees conditions at every trail. See the current results and their limits.
Read the chart as an estimate
The trail drying chart shows a modeled wet-to-dry path. Past hours are estimates reconstructed from weather and physical inputs, not a log of riders inspecting the tread. Future hours use forecast inputs. A rising line suggests modeled drying; it does not confirm that a shaded corner, stream crossing, or repaired section is firm.
Where the chart shows a range between sampled locations, it describes variation in those modeled locations. It is not a confidence interval or a guarantee that every trail falls inside the range. Compare the estimate with what the tread actually does under a shoe or tire.
Use the forecast to keep options open
The available chart window depends on the surface and plan. The free window covers ten days back and three days ahead; Pro can extend to thirty days back and ten days ahead. A window can end earlier when the required soil-moisture forecast is unavailable. Use the dates actually shown, rather than assuming every network has a complete ten-day forecast.
A future favorable condition is a planning estimate, not a reservation for dry ground. Rain timing, local showers, snow, maintenance, and access notices can change the ride. Recheck before leaving and use the trip-planning guide to build a realistic backup.
What can I download?
Selected research reports include CSV or JSON tables and SVG charts for the frozen study described on that page. For example, the terrain census downloads contain its August 2026 sample. They are not a general download of current condition forecasts or rider feedback. Read each report's cohort, units, date, and field notes before using its data.
What does Verified mean?
The mark identifies a network whose location and terrain have been independently checked. It does not verify today's trail condition.
What if the estimate is wrong?
Use the feedback controls in the app to tell us what you found. Local showers, trail work, and differences within a network can all affect conditions. Your reports help us check and improve the estimates. Read the trail-condition reporting checklist for what to submit and where maintenance issues belong.