Grooming January 30, 2021
Forestville: Andy Bully groomed the Noque to the second gate beyond 510 as well as Animoosh, Chiwagi bypass and Migizi. Expect race ready conditions on those trails and excellent skiing on the rest.
Fit Strip: Groomed all trails but low snow in the hemlock covered areas. There was enough snow to set classic track on the upper loop.
Big Bay Pathway: Reg reported Big Bay pathway trails are still in good shape and acceptable skiing.
Saux Head: All trails rolled and then Ginzu groomed and track set on the 24th.
Snow Bike Trails:
NORTH TRAILS
Last Groomed: 1/28/21 on Upper Loop Trails (Collinsville, BLP Rocks, Blue Heron, Upper Blue Heron, Silver Lead & Peter’s Sandbox) along with Wildcat, Ramblin Man and Midnight Snack). Remainder trails last groomed 1/22/21
Conditions: Continued cold temps have kept the base firm and fast with good coverage. The absence of freeze/thaw cycles since the last snow means less user generated trail degrading such as ruts and potholes to detract from the trail experience. Infrequent rocks/roots showing through, mainly at the lower elevations/ along the river.
Caution Areas: Runoff from the penstock is collecting on the trail in 2 areas of BLP Rocks- in the ‘ice cave’ area under the penstock and further upstream, near the crossing across the river- leaving icy sections of trail that require care. Trail users can throw some sand found in the garbage can under the penstock on the ice to improve traction. Those without studded tires or boot crampons should use caution.
Bottom Line: Trails are in great shape right now
South Trails Grooming:
Rubin cleaned up OCR, Enchantment, Greywalls and Oak Hill Loop on Tuesday night the 26th.
WTLGR: I do hope you got outside yesterday. Cold nights and still air in late January make for a sea change. Watching the slate grey liquid turn to a solid was magical. They are called thin places; where the veil between this world the next is so thin you can almost see beyond; into another universe. In Irish mythology many such places are are water and land intersect. So too in the U.P.
Sondo