Spring trails update!

Even though the St. Patrick's Day storm blessed us "Irish" with more lovely snow, you can thank the previous warm rainy weather for water crossings which are preventing grooming. Skiing is still good, though.

[caption id="attachment_2629" align="aligncenter" width="640"] On Saturday in Churning Rapids. The crew had a great day to ski while checking trail conditions. This is Lookout Loop, south of Spring Creek.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2626" align="alignnone" width="640"] Inspection of Sunset Trail. Looking good! Nice to see the result of appropriate trail clearing.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2628" align="alignnone" width="461"] John was out too. Here's how Christensen Rd. looked Saturday morning. This corridor was not brushed back last fall.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2627" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Near "the triangle" on Lookout Loop. Some scraggly jack pine have fallen over. Maybe they were dead to start with??[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2630" align="aligncenter" width="640"] On Sunday, we checked the City side and the gorge. Here you see the vast open areas from water flow on Quincy Trail.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2631" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Snowfence trail also has some whoppers. We plan to make trail corrections so these areas may be groomed early and late each season. A tractor, back hoe, and culverts will make a world of difference.[/caption]

 

Grooming ends, skiing continues.

Folks,   The grooming department is still watching the forecast but it's not very conducive for further grooming.   Some ditches are also filling with water which may be difficult to cross, even if more snow does arrive. 

It's been a short year, but Keweenaw Nordic still needs your membership and donations to help keep things up. We wouldn't be able to keep up the trails without your support - we thank you, and ask you to encourage all trail users to help too.

[caption id="attachment_2622" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Just a file photo taken a few years ago.[/caption]

Good-n-spring.

Was out early this morning and drug the city side, gorge, plus the River Trail north of Tomasi RD (trail #4) and this includs the old trail to Churning Rapids (trail #8).    Tracks were made on all those but on St Urho, just along the gorge edge, they were redone.   We are definitely into spring melt!   We'd now call these trails good and all are becoming spring like skiing.   Stay tuned, this may be the end of grooming :-(. 

[caption id="attachment_2604" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The dragging, then with 150lbs on the Ginzu, some pretty nice tracks were made.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2606" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Down in Swedetown creek gorge.[/caption]

Good to Ex!

Was out early this morning and groomed this skiff of snow we received last night.   Some sections looked quite good, while others looked more rustic and needed a tad more snow.    We will groom again if more snow or cooler temps prevail.   

On that note, the grooming department will be on vacation for just a few days on a  Yurt, camp-n-ski adventure.

[caption id="attachment_2598" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Sunrise over the Sidewinder trail. (Actually, just out of the Gorge. Sidewinder is a hill at the gorge's edge)[/caption]

Logged out!

This fall, we never had the chance to remove a couple of left over beams that were cut out of the old Middle Bridge and left in the creek last summer.   We were afraid they'd wash downstream during the spring melt.  With help from Keith M. today we got them both winched out.

[caption id="attachment_2590" align="aligncenter" width="640"] This fellow was big, heavy and frozen in.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2591" align="alignnone" width="640"] Now we are ready for spring runoff...which may be just around the corner![/caption]

Leveled into excellent

Early this morning all trails in Churning Rapids were dragged level along with the Mud Lake Loop (trail 4 & 9) and the Vista trail (#7).   Folks, they just don't get any better than this!   Photos say it all.

[caption id="attachment_2583" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Gee, the sun even came out![/caption] [caption id="attachment_2581" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Kind of an art shot here. Was that OK?[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2582" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Hope you get out to enjoy![/caption]