Feels more like January this morning with single digit temperatures. Early morning low checked in at 1degree. “Frost” snow falling, (snow from cold temperatures squeezing out moisture in the air) little to no accumulation expected. Trails are covered with a thin coating of snow. We need around 3″ of moisture laden snow before we can begin grooming and skiing. The cold weather the past few days has set ice on the lakes and driving good frost into the ground.
Bike trails are now open for fat biking/winter riding. Please note the signage and tap for the “dirt” season is removed but the main singletrack sections are signed.
It’s been a fantastic final push for working on the trails including the start of this week. We have been working on the outer trails most recently, finishing Island Lake trail, Roy’s Run and Bullhead Bootleg extension last week. After not being able to clear the Bullhead Bootleg extension, in recent years, we are are excited to groom it again this year. Overall the trails are looking great and ready for freezing temps and the real snow to come! It doesn’t take much to open the trails, usually 3-4″ of dense snow and a grooming or two and select trails are skiable.
A wintery start to November with 3″ of snow one week ago. Snow falling on top of frozen ground and was enough reason for an early season groom! We enjoyed a couple days of early season skiing and good to see a few other people out! Snow returned on November 9th with 1″ falling.
Fresh dusting of snow on Skaters Waltz, November 26th, 2023.Sunset reflection on frozen south twin lake, November 25th, 2023.Ermine sighting on the bike track! November 25th, 2023. We always see lots of tracks but rare to see in person….what a treat!Bullhead lake frozen over, November 25th, 2023.Booteg creek freezing down, November 25th, 2023. This stream was source of a “bootleg” operation back in the early early years of the area.Frozen surface making for ridable conditions, November 24th, 2023. Bike trails are now open for fat biking/winter riding.Last minute clearing on Lucky’s Loype trail, November 22nd, 2023. We plan to groom the non AMA segments of Lucky’s this year.Impressive work on a white oak tree by the beavers residing on Bullhead lake, November 22nd, 2023.Sunrise over Sap Run ski trail, November 22nd, 2023.Last minute brushing on “Bjorp’s Stump”, Rootin Tootin trail, November 21st, 2023.
Mary helping out with deadfall clearing, November 19th, 2023.
Sunshine on Skaters Waltz! November 18th, 2023.South Twin Lake frozen over, November 18th, 2023.North end of Bullhead lake trail, November 18th, 2023.Porcupine on side of Skaters extension trail, November 18th, 2023.Fall grooming on north end of Bullhead lake trail, November 15th, 2023.Bootleg extension, November 15th, 2023. It’s been a few years since we’ve been on the east side of the trail system for fall trail grooming and we are excited to groom over here again this winter. Clearing deadfall on Bootleg extension, November 15th, 2023.Even though we are seeing highs near 50 this week, the nights have been cold and with calm conditions half the lake glazing over with ice in the morning, November 15th, 2023.Finishing up on the northern trails, November 14th, 2023.Northern point of Roy’s Run, November 14th, 2023. Due to high water in previous years, we haven’t been able to prepare this segment like this year. Overall the trail should open up earlier after today’s tuning. Fall grooming on Island Lake trail, November 13th, 2023.Skaters Waltz ready for snow as a few patches remain from last weeks snow. November 13th, 2023.End of Sap Run ski trail as it leads into the sledding hill area, November 12th, 2023.
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