Grooming January 14, 2021
Forestville: At press time Andy was in the process of lightly scratching skate lanes on Animoosh, Noque to 17, and Chiwaji bypass. Then he is going to do some work up on the mead bypass clearing raspberries and hopefully leveling a bit before this snow coming. Expect very good skiing again today but there are the thin spots with dirt showing. Classic tracks are old and worn out near the trail head and on turns.
A word on the Mead Hills By Pass section: The last few reports I failed to comment on the mead hill by pass section. I should have pointed out each day that the rugged sections are un-skiable. As you ski towards Co Rd 510 you can see the rugged first hill going up to your left just before the 19k mark. That hill and the next two hills require some side stepping; a lot of side stepping. However, once clear of these three rugged hills you have an wonderful climb up to 510. If starting at the 510 trail head it is an out-and-back ski unless you are into the side step thing. The side step thing is worth it once just to see the trail; it is beautiful. I remember the first time climbing up Alpental ski area near Seattle in the summer. The cliffs one skis off are more impressive without snow. It is hard to believe either area can be skied regardless the snow cover but give the Mead Hills by pass a few weeks and it will be great.
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: Reggie skied Hidden Grin Sunday and reported a great deal of foot traffic has destroyed the classic tracks. Think snow.
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
Lyle rode yesterday and commented the following: Last Groomed- 12/31/20
Hard and fast trail conditions continue with overall good coverage.
Bare spots are beginning to surface at the usual spots- typically near the river in heavily unexposed areas.
The thin base is coverting to ice density and traction can vary significantly based on location, time of day, amount of sunlight and temperature.
Use extra caution on exposed areas.
2 extended areas of ice on the BLP Rocks Trail from Penstock runoff.
THINK SNOW!
South Trails Grooming:
South Trails were groomed the week of New Years.
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: I the great grooming report writers Zeno and Epicurus have enjoyed yesterday; shirt sleeves, sun glasses and fast hard snow. Even the short haired dogs were ok. It was so nice even the dorky guys skipped the balaclava and the extra dorky flip up cross country ski goggles.
Sondo