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Observatory Hill

Mountain bike trail conditions · Charlottesville, VA 38.034° N  78.522° W   837 FT Verified

DRY: Rideable

No significant rain in the forecast.

Recent rain
No measurable rain in the past week
Today
69°Fclear
  • Mon 10/12, no measurable rain, daily high 79 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: STAY OFF then CAUTION then DRY
  • Tue 10/13, no measurable rain, daily high 84 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Wed 10/14, no measurable rain, daily high 88 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Thu 10/15, no measurable rain, daily high 71 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Fri 10/16, no measurable rain, daily high 82 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Sat 10/17, 0.15 inches of rain, daily high 62 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Sun 10/18, no measurable rain, daily high 61 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Mon 10/19, no measurable rain, daily high 67 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Tue 10/20, no measurable rain, daily high 73 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Wed 10/21, no measurable rain, daily high 68 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Today, Thu 10/22, no measurable rain, daily high 69 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Fri 10/23, no measurable rain, daily high 62 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Sat 10/24, no measurable rain, daily high 62 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Sun 10/25, no measurable rain, daily high 64 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY
  • Mon 10/26, no measurable rain, daily high 69 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY, forecast preview, beyond the free window
  • Tue 10/27, no measurable rain, daily high 68 degrees Fahrenheit, modeled conditions: DRY, forecast preview, beyond the free window
Updated

Updated Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 at 20:34 UTC. Verdict last changed: Thursday, October 22nd. Official closures and current trail conditions take priority.

Modeled hourly. Closures and local conditions take priority.

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Is Observatory Hill rideable today?

Yes. The live verdict is DRY, rideable now. No measurable rain in the past week.

CHANGED
Monday, October 12th at 11pm
Dried back to DRY.
Monday, October 12th at 5pm
Dried back to CAUTION.
Over the tracked history, Observatory Hill has been rideable on 10 of the last 10 days. Loam also considers soil, slope, tree cover, and drying time.

Soil and terrain at Observatory Hill

Observatory Hill is a mountain bike trail network in Charlottesville, VA. Soil data at the sampled location is classified as sandy. Sandy soil can help drainage, while dense tree cover can slow drying by reducing sun and wind exposure. Terrain data indicates an elevation of about 837 ft, an average terrain slope of 2.3° and a predominant SSW-facing aspect. Terrain slope does not measure the trail tread or its drainage features. Loam models conditions across the network; individual trails and constructed surfaces can differ from these environmental inputs. Official closures and conditions on the ground take priority.

How we check ourselves

How these factors affect drying

SoilSandy

Sandy soil generally allows water to drain readily. Rainfall, shade and trail construction also affect recovery. The model uses surveyed water-retention values, not measured trail recovery times.

CanopyDense 85%

Dense tree cover can reduce sunlight and wind at ground level, slowing drying. Its effect depends on weather and local openings.

TerrainGentle

Gentle terrain can allow water to linger, but slope alone does not establish whether water pools on a trail.

FAQ

Can you ride Observatory Hill right now?

The current estimate for Observatory Hill is DRY: rideable. Rideable now. No significant rain in the forecast. No measurable rain in the past week.

Is Observatory Hill muddy right now?

Loam currently estimates dry conditions (DRY). Sandy soil usually drains quickly. No measurable rain in the past week.

What is the soil and trail surface like at Observatory Hill?

The soil data at the sampled location is classified as sandy. This describes an environmental input, not a survey of every trail surface.

How long does Observatory Hill take to dry after rain?

Observatory Hill has no fixed drying time. Rainfall, soil moisture, shade and the weather that follows all matter. Check the current estimate and wait until the trail surface is firm.

Can you ride Observatory Hill after rain?

Sandy soil can help drainage, but heavier rain, shade and the trail surface also affect recovery. Wait until the surface is firm. Check the current estimate before heading out, and turn back if your tires leave ruts.

What does a frozen condition mean at Observatory Hill?

FROZEN means Loam estimates snow cover or frozen ground. It does not establish that riding is allowed or that every trail is frozen. Check posted winter access rules and watch for soft ground as temperatures rise.

What's the terrain and elevation like at Observatory Hill?

Terrain data indicates an elevation of about 837 ft, an average terrain slope of 2.3° and a predominant SSW-facing aspect. Terrain slope does not measure the trail tread or its drainage features.

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Network profile

Network profile

Soil
Sandydrainage input
Terrain
Gentleterrain slope
Tree cover
85%Dense
Elevation
837 ft
Average grade
2.3°
Predominant aspect
SSW-facing

Around Observatory Hill

Nearby networks

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