firefighterjake
Mar 01, 2007, 08:50 AM
There's good news and more good news . . . by the end of last week the trails were beat up pretty badly due to the warm weather and increased School Vacation Week traffic. That's the bad news . . . here's the good news.
As of 2-28 all trails had been freshly groomed with the groomer running Monday-Wednesday nights. Originally the warm weather was causing the snow in the drag to ball up . . . the tops of the moguls and stutter bumps were being smoothed out, but the holes weren't filling up. However, as the evening progressed, temps dropped and groomer operators working the trail system (sometimes passing the same area two or more times) flattened the trail out to be as "flat as a dinner plate" according to President Dave. Trailmaster Mark said the trails were "primo" although both Mark and Dave noted that we really do need some more snow to fill in some of the holes.
Ask and ye shall be given . . . as of today it appears as though a Friday storm will be bringing 4-15 inches of snow to our area . . . of course we're hoping for a foot or more, but will take whatever we get. If this happens our groomer should be out Friday night or on Saturday to take the fresh snow and bring the trails back to a pristine condition. If you're heading out early, be aware that the groomer could be out.
Most signs on the trail system have been re-inked and GPSed trail maps should be going up soon as well. We're also working to get our second groomer up and running which would make grooming a heckuva lot easier since it currently takes 9-10 hours to groom our trail system . . . and that's if everything runs smoothly, there are no break-downs, no one gets stuck, etc.
If you live in or near the Unity area and see our groomers make sure you let the operators know you appreciate their volunteer work (it seems as though for every positive comment on the trails we hear 20 negative comments) . . . or better yet, ask them how you can help better the trails by joining our Club.
The trail to the Homestead Restaurant has been groomed . . . stop by for a burger and fries, a slice of pie or what have you . . . we've been told that if the waitress knows you've come in on a sled you'll get a free cup of coffee.
Finally, just a reminder . . . ITS 85 shown on MSA maps does not run up the east side of Lake Winnecook any longer . . . it actually runs from Albion to Chase Toys and then goes up the west side of the lake after bringing you into town (although you can take the Loop Trail for a short cut if you don't need fuel or food). ITS 82 runs from Chase Toys to Troy, Dixmont and Jackson trails and ITS 83.
As of 2-28 all trails had been freshly groomed with the groomer running Monday-Wednesday nights. Originally the warm weather was causing the snow in the drag to ball up . . . the tops of the moguls and stutter bumps were being smoothed out, but the holes weren't filling up. However, as the evening progressed, temps dropped and groomer operators working the trail system (sometimes passing the same area two or more times) flattened the trail out to be as "flat as a dinner plate" according to President Dave. Trailmaster Mark said the trails were "primo" although both Mark and Dave noted that we really do need some more snow to fill in some of the holes.
Ask and ye shall be given . . . as of today it appears as though a Friday storm will be bringing 4-15 inches of snow to our area . . . of course we're hoping for a foot or more, but will take whatever we get. If this happens our groomer should be out Friday night or on Saturday to take the fresh snow and bring the trails back to a pristine condition. If you're heading out early, be aware that the groomer could be out.
Most signs on the trail system have been re-inked and GPSed trail maps should be going up soon as well. We're also working to get our second groomer up and running which would make grooming a heckuva lot easier since it currently takes 9-10 hours to groom our trail system . . . and that's if everything runs smoothly, there are no break-downs, no one gets stuck, etc.
If you live in or near the Unity area and see our groomers make sure you let the operators know you appreciate their volunteer work (it seems as though for every positive comment on the trails we hear 20 negative comments) . . . or better yet, ask them how you can help better the trails by joining our Club.
The trail to the Homestead Restaurant has been groomed . . . stop by for a burger and fries, a slice of pie or what have you . . . we've been told that if the waitress knows you've come in on a sled you'll get a free cup of coffee.
Finally, just a reminder . . . ITS 85 shown on MSA maps does not run up the east side of Lake Winnecook any longer . . . it actually runs from Albion to Chase Toys and then goes up the west side of the lake after bringing you into town (although you can take the Loop Trail for a short cut if you don't need fuel or food). ITS 82 runs from Chase Toys to Troy, Dixmont and Jackson trails and ITS 83.