Today’s report is brought to you by Silver Sponsor Rich Cooley: The Rich Cooley is a Silver Sponsor trail builder on the Noque’. Without the support of folks like Rich we would not have the excellent trails we have come to expect. If you see them, say thanks.
Trail Builder sections are available. Please visit www.noquetrails.org and follow the links. You too can be feted in an up coming grooming report.
Forestville: Doug is performing a Ginzu groom on the high traffic trails of the Noque’ and Animoosh to 17k. Then he will groom to the Tourist Park and NMU at Wright Street.
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Way too Long Grooming Report:
It is hard to know where to start. Marquette is truly a winter sports destination and it is high season. I won’t even spend time on the out door ice rinks that are all in excellent shape or the fine alpine skiing. If you take advantage of all winter sports opportunities it is a short season indeed. Light air and high temperatures in the high 20s make being outside pleasant.
Cross Country Skiing: Trails are in excellent shape across the region. The Noque’ is fully groomed from NMU’s campus at Meyland Hall (Wright Street) to Co Rd 510. The high traffic areas get daily grooming and there are so many “K” to ski you literally could not cover them all in a day unless a car is staged at Co Rd 510.
Snowshoeing: When the snow pack is this deep and settled, snowshoes are needed for foot traffic. There are areas where skis and snow bikes can’t go. For example, a walk up the back side of Hogback Mountain is spectacular. During the summer it is a “no fun tour” as the approach is through a tag alder swamp and there is no trail. In winter you simply pick a line and walk. Traction is so good one is like a fly walking up the wall. I recall one mid-winder day several years ago. A group from Wisconsin came to ski Forestville and several of us climbed Hogback in a blizzard. It was awesome. You can rent snowshoes at Forestville and go today. A map and compass are recommended. Route selection skills are helpful.
Snow Biking: My new toy is getting a good deal of use. After four days on the North Trails I am headed south today. As a neophyte learning the nuances of snowdog grooming vs snowmobile grooming is going to take place today. The North trail grooming uses the former while most south trails use the later. Each have their charm I am sure. Riding snowdog groomed trails in deep snow took me back to the ’64 World’s Fair. There were self driving cars (sort of). Even pre-teens were allowed to be behind the wheel of (replica) Model “T”s. You would drive through a re-created early 20th century city. A set of steel tracks would jerk the car back in line if you failed to negotiate the turn; so too riding in this narrow tunnel (see picture above). Your pedals dig into the snow on the right or left if you are not paying attention. If your front wheel gets too far afield it gets pushed back in line (or you go over the handle
bars but that’s not too bad either so far). The Snowdog groomed trails are so narrow they are fit into narrow spaces. Check out the Stand Pipe on the Dead River Penstock; have you been there in winter? For extra credit, do you know what it is? If either of you are over the age of 50 you likely recall the Stand Pipe on top of Mount Marquette.
Stand Pipes were used to increase the head used in the hydro electric dam operation. In any case, if we have a loving god I will fill you in on the South Trails charm tomorrow.
Saux Head: All trails were groomed and set track Tuesday, the 27th. Some sections of classic track are thin. Skiing will be excellent today.
Big Bay Pathway: Big Bay Pathway is groomed weekly or as needed. If you ski Big Bay please let us know the conditions and we will pass on your comments.
Fit Strip: Wednesday night the Fit Strip Lit Loop was groomed and the Outer Loop was rolled.
Snow Bike South Trails:
AS OF THURSDAY JANUARY 30:
Groomed everything except oak hill. I’d still run less than 5psi, but it’s getting pretty good out there.
Some bridges are getting a bit off camber with deep snow. Improvements continue, but be aware until we get to them.
Mt Mqt (East) – firm
Har-Lang (BG Connector) – mostly firm
- Greywalls – firm
Main (Benson/Freak) – mostly firm
- Greywalls – semi-firm
Enchantment – semi-firm
Oak Hill – semi-soft
Old Camp Ridge – closed (trees)
PPP – packed
Seppi – packed
Bob’s Sled – closed (trees)
Eh Line – closed (trees)
Shirley’s – closed (high water)
IOHT to South Beach – plowed, chunky
Snow Bike North Trails: As of Wednesday night all North Trails in the system are rideable and firm. I rode last night and it was great. Riding will be great today. After a few inches of snow every few days the trails in excellent shape.
THE FORESTVILLE TRAIL HEAD CHALET IS OPEN! Chalet hours are 7 AM to 10 PM and rental equipment is available between 10 and 4. Space is still limited during construction but come in and enjoy the fire and company.
To learn more about the NTN, to join, volunteer, become a sponsor or make a comment, please visit www.noquetrails.org .
Sondo