May 2, 2020 - Noquemanon Trail Network

May 2, 2020 Not a Grooming Report

Trail Head is closed and the privy is locked. Practice save social distancing and enjoy the beautiful skiing.

Way Too Long Grooming Report: Based on yesterday’s report you may be expecting edited copy today. As it turns out, I was able to hack the critic’s password so you will see no improvement in drivel quality today. In any case, I see this as a public service given the importance of today’s report. Skiing yesterday was awesome. I know conventional wisdom dictates I am not eligible to win the Last Ski to 510 competition but have never seen the actual language. Regardless that, yesterdays ski was worth it. On my way to the Doctor’s lot a brush wolf ran by. The northeastern coyote, or brush wolf, is a bigger animal than you see in the southeast and are fun to observe in the wild. Spring deer look scrawny but the brush wolves look well feed this year. Getting out early on a calm spring day gives one many critter watching opportunities. Snow at 8:00 AM was rock hard and lightning fast giving my toes a work out as they attempted to grasp my boot bottom for more control. Hill bottoms have some water crossings so watch for snow bridges that have collapsed or, more importantly, ones that are about to collapse. I never had to remove my skis all the way to 510 on the Noque’. However, under the hemlocks and through the water bars my ski bottoms got up close and personal with grass and moss. Don’t tell my ski technician as she thinks it violates the maintenance agreement. I think that whole turpitude clause is about something else entirely but that is another subject. The beaver pond just before 23k is beginning to break up and the Bismarck bridges are near over topping. Spring break up is so beautiful in the U.P. I did return via the Mead bypass and it was equally beautiful but, again, watch for water bars at hill bottoms. I did have to take my skis off over the two eastern most hill tops. Check out the pictures below.

Again, well into silly season, entries in the Last Ski to 510 and the Last Ski of the Season are being accepted. Photographic evidence is required however, you need not include date proof like in the old kidnapping detective movies. You know, when they would show the victim holding today’s news paper (remember news papers?). No, we hacked the Google app so plan on using the tracking data on your phone if any authenticity questions arise.