November 30, 2018; Grooming Report:
Saux Head is open: A note on grooming reporting format: The NTN has a number of groomed areas and we do try to provide good (if not great) information on all trails. Today marks the return to regular season reporting by location with the opening of the Saux Head trails. Tim broke in a new volunteer at Saux Head. Tim and John rolled the entire system yesterday. Trails are too thin to set classic tracks but the surface has been so carefully manicured over the decades that a 2” base skis the same as a 2’ base. If you have not skied Saux Head you really have to get out there. The trails were designed for skiing rather than logging roads so the flow is wonderful. There is terrain for everyone including heart breaking up hills and heart stopping down hills. The trails wind through mature stands of hemlock and hard maple with spectacular views of Saux Head Lake and Superior beyond. It is a sign of how spoiled we are that being 17 miles from town is a deterrent to skiers. The trails head is off of Co Rd 550 (aka, The Big Bay Road) and full directions are on the NTN web site (or hit reply to this email and I can provide information).
Forestville Trails: We are in survival mode and keeping the groomers parked pending a return to colder temperatures. Trails should still be in good (on the E, VG, G, F, P and TWAB scale) condition on the Noque’ to 17k, Animoosh. Muckwa, Migizi and Chiwagi via the hill by pass but watch for the thin spots under the power lines at 10k and under the hemlock groves. With this soft surface and thin base I will bring an older pair of skis if I get out today.
Big Bay Trails: Need more snow.
Fit Strip: Need more snow.
Way too long report: No WTLR report today as the above was already way too long. See the TLTR below but be forewarned, it is Too Long To Read.
TLTR Report:
Knowing full well that enthusiasm is the brief period of time between a supposed great idea and the moment when you figure out its flaw, I was still like a kid on Christmas when we started our ice rink project. You know how long it takes to freeze a pond?; me neither. We had 4 days of nights near 20f and days in the mid 20s and that gave us about an inch of spectacular ice. Last night’s near freezing temperature and an inch of new snow was enough to act as a pond. That is, the weight of snow bends the ice enough to spill water on top. I remember the first time I saw the plastic nature of ice was right before Mason went through the bayou. It can actually bend quite a bit. Think cold.
Enjoy winter
Sondo