2019 March 26, Grooming Report;
Today’s report is brought to you by the kind people that will not give me guff for my poor graphic arts ability. Ok, so I am working with some dull tools but one should still be able to cut a straight line. Oh well, guilty as charged.
Anyway, I took a shot at a graphic representation of the logging effect. I used a jpg file with some dated trails and for that I must apologize. However, late spring skiers understand the lay of the land and will fill in any necessary gaps. Anyway, you can see there are two logging areas and both block trail access.
The eastern section blocks skiers from going very far west of the trail head. You can see many of the trails close to the trail head are unaffected but, to borrow a term used by our friends (and readers?) in Milwaukee, you are left with trail sections so short it could be called a “gerbil loop”. Of course, this area close to the trail head is the first to melt out anyway so serious skiers should be ok with this loss.
The western block removes access to one of the gems, Bagwagi and for that we (that is the Royal “We”) are saddened but buoyed by what is left. All trails between Co Rd 510 and the (approx.) 12k mark remain open. Getting to these open trails will require a drive that skiers in most of the country would look at as being remarkably short. From down town Marquette one must drive 12 miles instead of 6 miles (ok, I just guessed, maybe it is 15 miles, I don’t really know but it is really short when compared with anywhere else on the planet). Of course, one of the two readers may know the back roads and can find trail sections without driving to Co Rd 510 however, back woods U.P. roads in spring are a mess and parking is problematic. As a result, if your goal is to find a short cut you will get no help from the Grooming Report.
In any case, we do plan to do some grooming as needed but we are now into freeze/thaw skiing. We have staged equipment in areas where it can be used as needed. Mother/father nature will be the main groomer. Keep an eye on the overnight temperatures and gauge the best time to ski when trails are not too hard or too soft (ie, the Goldie Locks Zone). We have been blessed by freezing overnight temperatures and mild days. The crust has been so firm one can walk through the woods without snow shoes. Crust skiing has been spectacular and fat bikes are going off piste. Continued freeze thaw cycles will cause a slow loss of snow. Skiers, bikers and anyone with flood fears should all be quite happy.
FOLLOWING IS A RE-RUN GOING OVER COMMERCIAL FOREST AND THE NTN (PLEASE READ ONCE) In
Over 99% of the trails we ski, bike, run and walk are owned by private land owners. Most of the trails are on commercial forest land. These land owners wish to see their land used by skiers, bikers, runners and walkers for 99+% of the time. All they ask is that we understand they need to use the land for a few months per decade.
I really want both of you to understand how important our commercial forests are to life in the U.P. In much of the country where commercial forestry has fallen behind other uses as the highest and best use, trails like the entire NTN are not possible. Land in such areas is owned in small private blocks and the public is locked out.
Effective March 25th, parts of our trail system were closed for logging. One of the keys to the NTN’s success is the fact our users understand this symbiosis. Our part in this process is to stay out of the way of the loggers and thank them for their support. Logging is a dangerous and capital intensive operation. We need to help them be safe and look out for their equipment. Trails will be marked as closed and we trust you will stay away from the logging operations.
The land owners always wait until late in the year to allow as long a ski season as possible. In addition, they attempt to keep as much of the trail open as possible. Beginning next Monday, several sections of trail near the power lines will be blocked and logging trucks will be driving on them.
The NTN is committed to providing top quality skiing if at all possible. You have come to expect nothing less and we are used to providing nothing but. We will continue to groom trails between Co Rd 510 and the logging areas. Most skiers (especially the spring time skiers) know the best skiing is near Co Rd 510 anyway. More details regarding trail closures will be in Monday’s report.
In any case, if you have not done so, please renew your membership. There are K markers available. Your name and favorite picture can be here too.
New pictures from anyone will be appreciated. I really mean this. I agonize missing some Trail Builders.
Forestville Real Grooming Report: No grooming today. Trails never got too soft yesterday and then froze hard again last night. Warm temperatures today will make for Goldie Locks skiing about noon until evening. Any comments from “skis on the snow” will be helpful in optimizing this report (I’ll have boots on the shelf and shoes under the desk”).
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TRAIL – Third Priority Trail head to ponds |
No grooming since thaw
As always, your feedback is appreciated via reply to this email or to FB. Send in pictures and you too can get your K marker moved to the front of the line. See the Nordic skiing FB page https://www.facebook.com/NTNNordic/
Saux Head: Tim did ginzu the skate lanes on the24th.
Fit Strip: The trail was groomed last week but the 4 wheeler used to pull the equipment has broken down. Grooming is likely to be over for the season. Any comments from skiers will be appreciated. Is it even skiable?
Big Bay Pathway: There are a few areas on Bear Mountain that are starting to deteriorate. Boe is not sure if the trail will survive the warm weather ahead. Grooming is likely to be over for the season. Any comments from skiers will be appreciated.
South Snow Bike Trails: We are in spring “freeze/thaw” cycle. Riders will find Shirley, Chapel, Granite, Jeep, Main and Enchantment open. We repacked Thursday night but you will find trails a little bumpy in places, but will be good firm riding all day Friday and Saturday until maybe noon. Please try to avoid trail damage if they are too soft to support your weight.
This may be the end… Grooming is likely to be over for the season. Any comments from skiers will be appreciated.
North Trails:
Trails will be hard all day. Grooming is likely to be over for the season. Any comments from skiers will be appreciated.
Of course you can also post your own information on the FB page and you are encouraged to do so. Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/ntnsingletrack/
Sondo