Grooming February 3, 2021
Check out the ice! More about Mike’s “Homeboni” in the WTLGR below.
Forestville: Andy cleaned up skate lanes on Noque to 17k, Animoosh, Chiwaji bypass. Tracks remain solid and in decent shape
Fit Strip: I expect the fit strip is hard pan with dirt and foot prints. Any local knowledge would be appreciated.
Big Bay Pathway: The Pathway was groomed Sunday, January 31. Meditation and Hidden Grin are both freshly groomed and in great condition. We just need more snow..
Dennis
Saux Head: All trails rolled and then Ginzu groomed and track set on the 24th. I have not heard any first hand information in a while. Any local knowledge would be appreciated.
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.
Any more current information will be appreciated.
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: Rubin buffed up Eh Line, OCR, Enchantment, and Greywalls tonight. Note: Harlow Farms connector is temporarily closed for tree clearing between Grove Street and Wilson Street. Please stay clear of this area until further notice. We will re-establish a route in the near future when safe to do so.
WTLGR: If you have ever built a back yard ice rink you can appreciate how great it is to see your ice look like this. I remember flooding our back yard 60 years ago. We would pack with snowshoes and toboggans (well, we would ride on the toboggan and my dad would pull us using snowshoes. It took a few days for all the waffle marks and imperfections to be covered and we would skate all day. Had we ice like this maybe I would have been a better hockey player. Anyway, over the last 30 or 40 years, since the Delta Sigma was torn down, the spot in this picture has been an ice rink. Each generation has seen a new group of dads take up the mantle. I flooded for 15 years and before that Craig set the high bar for over a decade. Now, Mike has his “Homeboni” (TM and patent pending I am sure). I’ll get you a picture as soon as the IP department clears the disclosure. The ice has never looked so good. As you know, Mike is the same guy that took a garden tiller and turned it into a snow bike groomer. You should see the inventory of gadgets used to make snow biking what it is today. I guess that guy in Menlo Park had some cool ideas but nothing like this. I can see it on book shelves now, How the Wizard of Marquette Invented the Modern U.P.
Sondo