Remember the Ice Art palm trees? See the WTLGR below.
Forestville: Andy performed a full ‘Bully groom for today’s skiing. All trails are freshly tilled, groomed and track set all the way past Co Rd 510 to the second gate next to the Hoist Basin. Bring hand warmers and maybe toe warmers and enjoy.
Fit Strip: Let me know if you ski the Fit Strip and tell us how it is.
Big Bay Pathway: The Big Bay Pathway is freshly groomed. Meditation and Hidden Grin are great shape. At the beginning of the trail the track did not set up very well due to lack of fredh snow and 5 degree temperature. It was very cold groomed this late afternoon.
It was worth it to prepare the trail for the Honey Bear 🐻 and see the many 🦌 that are running around the Big Bay Pathway.
Join us starting today for the 32nd Honey Bear Classic: Funski Fundraiser – Honey Bear 16K Classic – Snowshoe Trek. Details below.
Boe. 👍😎🇧🇻
Saux Head: Last report was trails were groomed and set track Saturday morning. Let me know if you have any first hand knowledge.
Snow Bike Trails:
NORTH TRAILS
The entire North Trail system was groomed on Friday, 2/5/21 following Thursday’s new snow ranging from 1″ at the lower elevations to 3″ at the higher elevations around Forestville.
The base remains solid with very good to excellent conditions overall.
The new snow helped to cover some of the icy sections on the BLP Rocks Trail, but users should still use caution when near the penstock as run off and ice formation may occur.
In addition to the usual trails, the additional snowfall allowed volunteers to groom the MILDCAT TRAIL, opening up an additional, more technical route for winter use. Check it out if you’re riding on the north side.
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.
South Trails Grooming: On the the 9th Rubin cleaned up all trails.
WTLGR: The old Scandinavian saw goes, As the days get longer the cold gets stronger. A series of events must align for Lake Superior to freeze. Cold weather is not enough. It needs to come in February when the lake is cold enough and it needs to be accompanied by calm air. A strong off shore breeze blows it out to sea where it breaks up. A strong on shore breeze builds surf and piles any ice on shore. This is how we get the large piles of anchor ice. This year’s February cold snap was just the ticket for spectacular lake ice. Of course we only had one day of glass like black ice before a snow dusting but even yesterday it was a festive atmosphere on the lower harbor. Skating was spectacular even though hockey pucks got slowed down in the snow. A life time ago I recall skating all the way to the base of Sugar Loaf on Zamboni clear ice. That same quality ice did come back again a few years later so I figured it happened all the time. I haven’t seen such ice on the north facing beaches since. What we do get every five or ten years is spectacular harbor ice. Quite often you will see it in the upper harbor near the end of Hawley Street.
The last time I recall such spectacular ice in the lower harbor turned into a giant canvas for one or more artists that remain un-named, at least to the Grooming Report Writer’s Guild. In similar fashion, after a few days, the glass like ice was covered by a fine layer of lake effect snow. In the morning, an artist or artists’ rendering of palm trees covered the entire harbor. They grew from the west end between the piers and extended all the way to the break wall in an arching curve as if blown by the wind. The picture above is taken from the sixth floor of the Landmark Inn. Somewhere there is a picture of the ice art taken from the same spot because it used to hang on the wall next to this window.
Now, the memories of an addled brain are problematic, so I do look for one of you more lucid readers to enlighten me as to the details. Were there two trees? When was it? More importantly, who did it? Are they in witness protection? I expect any statute of limitation has run it course so perhaps they can be named. Do we need to wait until all their living relatives pass? There is extra credit and fabulous prizes to anyone that can shed any light whatsoever.
Sondo
32nd Honey Bear Classic: Funski Fundraiser – Honey Bear 16K Classic – Snowshoe Trek
The Honey Bear invites you to celebrate the unique beauty of the Big Bay Pathway with a 10-day fundraising event for all ages and interests. This year, for the safety of all pathway visitors, we moved registration online, extended the duration of the event, and eliminated the one day outdoor gathering. Participants can choose to ski for fun, self-time, or snowshoe for a chance to win door prizes. All proceeds help support the grooming and maintenance of the Big Bay Pathway which is part of the Noquemanon Trail Network. Register online, then hit the trails with friends and family. Follow Big Bay Pathway Facebook Honey Bear event page for event updates. Registration/donation envelopes are also available at the trailhead.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for the Funski, 8K/16K Classic, or Snowshoe Trek:
- Honey Bear “Funski”
Registration $20 per single and $40 per family
Ski the Hidden Grin (8 K) and/or Meditation Loop (7K) with friends and family and enjoy the ‘groomed wilderness’ that the Pathway offers. The varied terrain is well marked and groomed for classic skiing.
- Honey Bear 8K or 16K Classic
Registration $25 per single
Ski the Hidden Grin to complete the 8K or 16K Classic (2X). Self time your progress then upload your results here. Participants will be recognized accordingly.
Note: Bear Mt. and Ridgeline are closed due to logging.
- Honey Bear Snowshoe Trek
Registration $20 per single and $40 per family
Snowshoe the Hidden Grin (8K) and/or Meditation Loops (7K) with friends and family and enjoy the ‘groomed wilderness’ that the Pathway offers. The varied terrain is well marked and groomed for classic skiing and snowshoeing. We ask snowshoers to avoid walking on the ski tracks.
REGISTER NOW or for more information, call Kristi at 906-250-3350, find us on facebook or email [email protected].