Was out yesterday in backpacking boots and gaiters, ankle deep in mud on the south- and west-facing aspects. However, some brave soul in skis that go high 40s to low 50s wide had been touring the ultra-thin snow in the trees on north-facing aspects.
You are my new hero.
Apparently it is still possible. Not a lot of rocks here, so your bases will be fine if you don't mind cleaning mud off them later. Keep in mind that snow this thin and variable will be super fast in steep ravines with the occasional stick or mud "jerk back" to send you ass-over-teakettle.
Bravo, bold BC touring dude, whoever you are! You got the last ski at Woodpecker in 2010-11, methinks.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Prairie Springs Trails - We Need Your Help!
We have an issue going on here that we could use some outside input on. Those of you that have skied here know that there is a snowmobile trail that runs through the park. The director of the county conservation board told the skiers and the snowmobile club that the trail would be closed after this year and snowmobiles would be banned from the park because of safety issues.
The snowmobile club showed up at the last conservation board meeting en masse saying that this was too big of an inconvenience for them and too big of an economic impact on the community. They said if the conservation director didn't want them to use the current trail, why not give them the ski trail along the river instead, then they wouldn't be going through the center of the park and crossing the ski trails. It would be safe for the skiers. Great, we get to give up our trail because they are a safety problem. This is probably the most scenic trail we have, and it has been a ski trail for 30 years; we developed it.
From a natural standpoint, if it is going to become a snowmobile trail, it will have to have major bulldozing and tree removal in order for them to get their Tucker snowcat through the area. This is a fragile area, and if trees and shrubs are removed, erosion will be more of a problem. There is a logical alternative route around the north end of the park, but the snowmobile club doesn't want to use it.
Here's what I need. If you have skied here, and you think keeping our trail system intact is important, please send me an email saying you come here to ski, and that you have an economic impact on Cresco. Skiers buy gas, food and lodging, too. If I can show the conservation board that we also have economic impact, we have a good chance of getting the snowmobile trail re-routed around the north end. Please use this link Email Mark to send me an email supporting leaving the ski trails alone.
We aren't against snowmobiling (even though some of you may be). However, there is a good alternative nearby, they just don't want to use it. Thanks for your support, we appreciate any help you can give us. Have a great spring!
The snowmobile club showed up at the last conservation board meeting en masse saying that this was too big of an inconvenience for them and too big of an economic impact on the community. They said if the conservation director didn't want them to use the current trail, why not give them the ski trail along the river instead, then they wouldn't be going through the center of the park and crossing the ski trails. It would be safe for the skiers. Great, we get to give up our trail because they are a safety problem. This is probably the most scenic trail we have, and it has been a ski trail for 30 years; we developed it.
From a natural standpoint, if it is going to become a snowmobile trail, it will have to have major bulldozing and tree removal in order for them to get their Tucker snowcat through the area. This is a fragile area, and if trees and shrubs are removed, erosion will be more of a problem. There is a logical alternative route around the north end of the park, but the snowmobile club doesn't want to use it.
Here's what I need. If you have skied here, and you think keeping our trail system intact is important, please send me an email saying you come here to ski, and that you have an economic impact on Cresco. Skiers buy gas, food and lodging, too. If I can show the conservation board that we also have economic impact, we have a good chance of getting the snowmobile trail re-routed around the north end. Please use this link Email Mark to send me an email supporting leaving the ski trails alone.
We aren't against snowmobiling (even though some of you may be). However, there is a good alternative nearby, they just don't want to use it. Thanks for your support, we appreciate any help you can give us. Have a great spring!
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