Forestville: Continued warm weather has groomers waiting for today’s snow. It is now cold enough to snow and it is forecast today. Expect icy trails today. There are the thin spots with dirt showing in some areas. Classic tracks are old and worn out near the trail head and on turns. Parts of the eastern most “K” of the “Mead Hills By Pass” section are un-skiable. Even expert skiers will have to side step sections as well as stem turn in other areas. The remaining 5 k of the by pass route are in very good shape but today’s cold temperatures will have the surface icy.
ACTUAL INFORMATION BELOW: From time to time this report has actual information to which one should pay attention. Today is one such day. Please to follow all the way down to the WTLGR (of course, feel free to skip the WTLGR as its contents are never on the test.
Call for Rental Equipment: The equipment rentals at our Forestville Trailhead have been very popular this season. It has been great to see so many discovering skiing but the high use and required COVID sit period for boots occasionally leaves us in short supply. We could use extra classic and skate NNN boots, NNN classic no-wax skis or poles that you may have sitting around and would be willing to donate. Please drop off at Forestville any time 10-4 weekdays or 9-4 weekends. Thanks for your support!”
Noquemanon Ski Marathon Goes Virtual: Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, the 2021 Noquemanon Ski will be a 100% virtual event this year. See details at the race web site: http://www.noquemanon.com/ . Following this weekend’s snow the race committee will designate a course. Keep an eye on the above link for up to the minute details and the grooming report will include details and the link each day.
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 un-skiable. Think snow.
Big Bay Pathway: Reggie skied Hidden Grin January 10 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 on the 13th 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 converting 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: Blown out surf, icy bike and ski trails, icy wind and heavy overcast. Just the kind of day one hopes for when the sock drawer needs attention or that engine needs a re-build. We all enjoy the sun splashed groomed corduroy when the temps are in the 20s and the air is calm. Regardless the endeavor, there are those ideal days we remember. Then, when it is “nice except for” (fill in the blank), if you squint just right you can imagine how it could be just right. As conditions slip into this “to win a bet” situation it becomes more difficult. I recall being weathered on the side of some massif in the Cascades. Everything was soaked from rain at lower elevations and we lost visibility at the summit ridge. There was no quit in Craig that I could see. We both pretended it was just like that blue bird day on Baker but different. Let us know if you get out today. I may get out to win a bet.
See you out there,
Sondo