Rangers Chief of Trails Notes
Well, we groomed and re-groomed the ‘Christmas Lights Storm’ snow three times. It was a million dollar storm. Our tracks and stem lanes have been wonderful, even if the last few days demanded klister wax for us old school skiers. The snow we’ve been getting for the past 24 hours is excellent; but a little too warm for working on. It will have to cool down some to prevent us from making ice out there. We are monitoring the temps and will be out there as soon as it drops 10º or so... Looking at the trails without my ‘groomer’s eyes’; every twig has it’s shawl of new snow, it’s a fairy tale woods out there for the foreseeable future... Nasty pretty.
I had the privilege of meeting with Andrea Newby (administrator of Gogebic Range Health Foundation) for a few pictures as she officially gave the Rangers a check for $4750 today. Their foundation supports healthy outdoor activities for people in the Gogebic MI/Iron WI area. They’ve spent the last few years distributing grant funds to many local groups and clubs. Their financial contribution will be a huge help to our needs for equipment, fuel and infrastructure improvements for the next few years. Look for some improved signs, water crossings and trailhead information. We’ll also spend some of their funds for extra grooming during this gosh-darn pandemic.
We also spent a significant amount of time working on re-constructing the Hoyt Rd to Pence section of Uller this past week. 15 years ago we had a trail in that area but landowners changed and lost interest and we had to abandon the section. Last year we heard the call for reinstating the link. We found a new route and got landowner permission to proceed. The section of trail is not particularly difficult except for the fact that there is a 150 foot fault (read cliff) just north of Pence. Alder Creek has one of it’s headwaters at the base of the fault and that requires a serious crossing. Well, contrary to my old theories of building trails, I spent hours designing a switchback that I think skiers will be able to negotiate as well as the grooming equipment we currently have. I’m stoked to ski it and groom it to see how my calculations have turned out.
Since it’s winter and we now have about 12” of snow on the ground, the trail building has reverted to ‘old school’ techniques where we slither between the bigger trees and pack only wide enough to use one of our old Alpine snowmobiles (approximate width: 36”), so even though I’m more mature to keep things straight and off the side-hills, the Hoyt-Pence connection of Uller will look more like the trails we had in the 70’s until we can get out there and really clear things out. Stand by; there’s still one nasty mile to do and then many wands to plant to show where the new route goes.
Some of our new (younger) trail crew members have told me to make sure we link Uller with the Montreal Trails once skiers get to Pence. It will involve a little street skiing in Pence and then transferring to some of Pence’s old alleys; but what a concept!
Hey, we need cold. Things are looking pretty darn good out there. Get out and ski, snowshoe or walk. The fresh air and sun will do you good.
