Grooming January 20, 2021
Bagwagi January 19; photo by Eric
Forestville: Andy is grooming the skate lanes on the Noque to Co Rd 510 including Mead Hills By Pass. Trails have firmed up. Expect very good skiing on all trails today.
Call for Rental Equipment: The equipment rentals at our Forestville Trailhead have been very popular this season. It has been great to see so many discovering skiing but the high use and required COVID sit period for boots occasionally leaves us in short supply. We could use extra classic and skate NNN boots, NNN classic no-wax skis or poles that you may have sitting around and would be willing to donate. Please drop off at Forestville any time 10-4 weekdays or 9-4 weekends. Thanks for your support!”
Bag pick up for virtual Noque begins Friday: Want to pick up your race packet this weekend (Jan 22nd-24th)?
Send an e-mail to noquemanoninfo@gmail.com by midnight on Wednesday Jan 20th with your first and last name and we will have your packet ready for you to pick up onsite at the NTN Forestville Trailhead this weekend. Pickup times will only be from 8am to Noon this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Pick up will not be inside the trailhead building per COVID restrictions and social distancing requirements.
Please note, the parking at Forestville is limited and the trailhead is open for normal public use. Please park like a sensible human being. If you arrive and the parking area is full you may need to try another time.
Noquemanon Ski Marathon Goes Virtual: Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the 2021 Noquemanon Ski will be a 100% virtual event this year. See details at the race web site: http://www.noquemanon.com/ . Following this weekend’s snow the race committee will designate a course. Keep an eye on the above link for up to the minute details and the grooming report will include details and the link each day.
Fit Strip: Some new snow but no report yet.
Big Bay Pathway: Both Meditation and Hidden Grin were groomed on the 18th Trails are in Excellent condition once you go from the trail head connector to the main trail. The 2 main trails are tracked an excellent.
Saux Head: Craig rolled the trail system Sunday the 17th. There are several icy areas on the East end of the Peep O Day section, but the remaining trail system is in good shape. There is not enough base to groom or set track yet.
Snow Bike Trails:
NORTH TRAILS
Main loop groomed.
South Trails Grooming:
Cary biked all snow bike trails on south on the 18th except old camp ridge and connector/black. Blue/east of 553. He reported very good but icy, especially at base of Jeep trail. He had no trouble because of his studded tires. West of 553 it was mostly very good, with some icy spots (mostly on west gray walls). Lake enchantment a bit soft, but rideable at 4lbs. Oak Hills loop only partially groomed but snow shoed in or snowmobiles have been there enough that it is also rideable.
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WTLGR: Eric took my advice and skied via Bagwagi yesterday. He reported, “…[it] was memorable. Light snow falling straight down, no wind, absolute silence.” After putting down first skate tracks on Bagwagi I bumped into about a dozen of NMU’s Nordic team fresh off their dominating performance last weekend in the CCSA/CXC Cup. One rarely gets to participate in a sport alongside world class athletes. Watching, even if in the front row is quite different than being in the sport too. Anyway, about half dozen of the men’s team were headed out as I was returning just west of the pine plantation. It looked like a training video or better yet, Wide World of Sports (boy does that show my age). Anyway, I was pleased they were going in the opposite direction. Had they come up from behind if I were skiing like I had just stolen something they would have still passed like I was standing still. I did get to ski along side and chat with several other skiers that must have been on a cool down lap. Watching their technique up close in 3d was most instructive. Videos are a poor substitute. What a great day on the trails.
See you out there, Sondo