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Forestville: The groomer remained in the barn last night. We are attempting to save the thin base. Skiing will remain great today following yesterday’s below freezing temperatures through almost all of the day. Overnight cold temperatures will mean a firm surface through much of today even in the face of warming temperatures. Tonight’s freeze will set things up again for Tuesday but mid-week looks to have some 24 hour thaw and even liquid precipitation; I don’t recall the last time we saw any of that. With a thin base and the mid-week forecast I expect to see at least a few entries in the bell ringing competition; see the WTLGR below.
Fit Strip: We groomed the lighted loop last Thursday. There is ice in the sunny spots and a bit of dirt in the hemlocks.
Big Bay Pathway: The Big Bay Pathway was groomed last Thursday. Don’t know how many more times we can groom.
Boe😎👍👍🇧🇻🇧🇻🇧🇻🇧🇻
Saux Head: Tuesday’s thaw may have left us with some icy ruts. Let us know if you have first hand information.
Snow Bike Trails:
NORTH TRAILS
Trail Conditions Highly Variable.
Sunny afternoon skies created freeze thaw conditions. Trail surface ranges from perfect hard packed snow to bare ground with stretches of icy glazed snow and sheet ice thrown in.
Trails at lower elevations and along the river where the base was shallower most affected.
Blue Heron Trail from the river up to the dam is very icy and treacherous, probably best avoided by those without crampons or studs.
Collinsville, Peter’s Sandbox, SilverLead and Wildcat in overall very good shape with limited icy areas.
Use caution
South Trails Grooming: I expect variable conditions similar to the comments above on the North Trails.
Second Most March Runs to 510 Contest
Way Too Long Grooming Report
We are now 25% through March. In a normal year we would all be checking the illuminated black board. You know, the one where people list their bell ringing at the Co Rd 510 trail head? Everyone wants to win the coveted Second Most Runs to 510 competition. The regular season’s one quarter point is typically when the Red Wings, Lions and Tigers all book their off season vacation plans. It’s the time everyone admits they are just also rans. I am reminded of the buck pool in a prior life. People would just drop off the $50 bucks at Ardella’s desk rather than mess around with filling an envelope during deer season. One joined the buck pool in the hope of winning second place. With at most only 24 skiing days left in the month, I’m sure one would have to pull off some two-fers to catch Vicky and that assumes she skis zero two-fers.
So, without the black board option, here is a virtual black board. Take a picture at 510 with some tell tale indication documenting your bell ringing event. Note in today’s picture, my poles. I expect you all have your pole sponsor indicated on the FIS Bio page. Then, include some date specific marker. Yesterday there was a lost mitten placed by a good Samaritan. Feel free to include a copy of the current day’s newspaper (generational reference, sorry) like in the bad kidnapping movies. If no clear date indicating marker is included we can just ask Bezos or Zuckerberg to vouch for you.
Today looks to be another great day to ring the bell. See you out there,
Sondo