Grooming January 10, 2021
Forestville: The skate lane on all trails from Forestville all the way to Co Rd 510 are groomed. Classic tracks have been left as is due to the age of the snow and the thin base. Classic tracks are “fair to good”. The (approx.) 1k of truck damage near Co Rd 510 has been repaired. Skiing will be very good again today. I would call it excellent but for the bare and thin spots in a number of areas. Take care for example on the way down to the bridges at 17k and 18k. Also, watch for the uneven spot near the bottom of the major hill at 19k (just east of the “lower Mead Gate”).
Fit Strip: The Fit Strip was roll packed the week of new years but I expect this warm spell at the lower elevations has rendered the trails all but unskiable. Think snow.
Big Bay Pathway: Dennis sent the following on Friday: People are still able to enjoy skiing the Big Bay Pathway.
Yesterday I spent 2 hours walking part of the trail with my chainsaw and loppers. I trimmed and snipped brush and branches. Terry would be proud.
Today I took the Grizzly and groomed Meditation and Hidden Grin. While grooming, I also trimmed brush and removed exposed branches, this took 5 1/2 hours.
Now we are ready for snow next week, possibly Wed or Thur.
I have seen several people skiing as well as Powell Township school students and teacher.
Reg skied Big Bay yesterday and reported: Hidden grin is still skiable and probably could be regroomed.
Meditation and Hidden Grin was groomed on 1/2/21. Best Mountain and Ridgeline will be closed for 2021.
Saux Head: All trails were skate lane groomed on the 1st. MRT4 skied Saux Head earlier this week and indicated it was in rough shape but skiable.
Snow Bike Trails:
NORTH TRAILS
Last groom on Sunday 1/3/21
Trail base fast and firm. Excellent riding conditions.
Coverage is good with frequent rocks and roots showing through.
A couple of caution areas where trails are icy:
– On the Penstock Trail just before it connects to Blue Heron Trail
– On the BLP Trail where there is run off from the penstock
South Trails Grooming:
South Trails were groomed a week ago.
Mt. Marquette loop, Main loop, Enchantment loop, and Old Camp Ridge……OCR still needs some work but is ridable.
Also groomed Eh-line but its not going to be ridable for a bit yet.
*****warning****
Watch out for the ice on the bottom of Mt. Marquette loop (aka Jeep Trail). We sanded it the best we could, but its still going to be slick.”
WTLGR: Look at the wide smooth skate lane going up the western most major climb on the Mead Hills by pass. It is in excellent shape but no classic tracks. As you go up to 510 you will note the fork in the trail just east (Forestville side) of the 19k mark. Looking up the major hill to your left is daunting. It is rough and narrow. As an alpine racer I am comfortable on most downhill sections of the system if groomed but would not ski down this section without checking my speed. In fact, you can not ski down any of the three easternmost Mead by pass hills in either direction without a bit more snow. The pay off is the rest of the Mead by pass. The 4k ski to 510 is beautiful and the long climb is in excellent shape. However, I expect I will skip the by pass today and stay on the Noque’; it is in excellent shape.
Sondo