Half Your Wood…

... and half your hay should be left on Groundhog’s Day.

I’ve always respected this heuristic. In its folksy way, it reminds me that after all we’ve done this season, wether it’s been skiing or working on trails, we’re only at the half way point.

There’s still the second half to come.

This half may have the real snow, it may have the real cold that our winters up here dish out.

Be prepared.

Be prepared to take advantage of any and all decent weather days (or evenings) to get out and get on the trails because we may have those days coming up where it’s just not a good idea to be outside. Like -20º windchill outside.

Luckily, the trails are set up for the second half. “Panked” hard, groomed wide. Even the construction project from Pence to Hoyt Rd on Uller is in a state that some things could be done if the windchill is less than -10º.

The new section of trail project has now become a snowshoe/back country ski op with loppers, hand saws and trail markers. We smash some snow, cut some brush, build a mat crossing over a narrow creek and hang some of those blue reflectors and we’ll drag the bed-frame and New Evolution track sled over it. Weber Lk to Pence! Non-stop. Like the 70’s and 80’s.

Oh, and we’ve got a plan to use some alleys in Pence to track on to the Montreal Trail system once you reach the Pence ball park. Weber Lk to Rose Wreath Trailhead anyone?

Stay tuned. Stay warm. Ski Freely, eh? -CZ