Groomed Trails - Summit Prairie 1/30/16

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Groomed Trails - Summit Prairie 1/29/16

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Groomed Trails - Logan Valley West 1/27/16

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from glen johnston:


Cat #2 with Gerald from FR 15/16 south on FR 15 and FR 1540, east on FR 546, and south on FR 166, south on FR 1630, southeast on FR 1540, continuing southeast on FR 373, north on FR 1643 (Dollar Basin), west and north on FR 373, north on FR 1630 to FR 16, then return to beginning.  Blue line on the map, sorry ran out of room on the southeast corner.  GJ

Why Ski Grant County? Antelope Valley - Seneca

from the fr 1601 looking ne toward strawberry mtn range

here is a panoramic video of antelope valley

here is a video of xc skiing along antelope valley

Antelope Valley - FR 757/1601 - 1/25/16

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Location: A few miles east of Seneca, via FR 16 or Hwy 395

Road & Trail Conditions:  395 clear; FR 16 plowed, patchy packed snow/ice. Trails recently groomed with 1" powder since.

Snow Conditions: 1' crusty base with 1-2" powder on top

Skis on & temperature: 9:30am 16°, morning low clouds, breaking up in aftn. (JD 27° )

Skis off & temperature: 1:30pm 37° (JD 44° )

Distance: 9 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10

beginning of groomed 757

Comments: Explored this area at the suggestion of Dave Hannibal who groomed it last week.  initially tried to acces via FR 1601, trucks were loading logs at 16 jct.  on a hunch explored from 395 & found 757, also groomed. rd from 395 is unmarked, 2.4 miles south from Seneca, only road heading east, looks like this (subaru probably won't be parked there):

took purple line on above map.  another option would be green. log removal will continue for awhile, also on the 757.

labeled this flat & beginner for the area in the valley.  small slope getting in & out, the 757 access much shorter.

depending on grooming, snowmobile tracks & conditions, several loop variations are possible.  loved skiing around the valley. not highly traveled. lovely views toward strawberry mtns.

 

 

here is a panoramic video of antelope valley

here is a video of xc skiing along antelope valley

Groomed Trails - Summit Prairie 1/26/16

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from glen johnston:

> Dan groomed with Cat #1 today out of Huddleston.  Blue line on map.  Thanks Dan!  GJ
>

Groomed Trails - Logan Valley 1/26/16

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from glen johnston:

Ron Greb took Cat #2 from FR 15/16 junction south on FR 15 to FR 1540, then east on FR 546, east then north on FR 1560, then south east on FR 166, then north on FR 1630 to FR 16 to return to start.  Blue line on the map, pink line is yesterday 1/25.  Ron and Gerald have been doing an outstanding job, we sampled the 1643 today; grooming, weather and scenery were outstanding.  Thanks gentlemen.  GJ

Groomed Trails - Logan Valley 1/25/16

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from glen johnston:

Gerald took Cat #2 out today; from FR15 to FR 1540 to FR 1540 to FR 849 (Frasier LO) back to FR 1540 to FR 1643 and back to FR 16; back to start.  See pink trail on map.

Groomed Trails - Summit Prairie 1/25/16

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from glen johnston:


Groomed the loop to the snow survey cabin, then south from Huddleston 1 mile, east crossing CR 62, east and south on FR 625, to FR 16/14 at Summit Prairie, continued south several miles to FR 675 (Buttermilk Cr), north to FR 1663, then northwest to FR 16 back to Summit Prairie, then north from the lower parking lot back to Huddleston.  Green line on the maps, had to use two maps as this area is on the edge of both, sorry.  Gj

Groomed Trails - Logan Valley 1/24/16

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> Cat #2 Groomed in the Logan Valley area on Sunday Jan. 24, 2016. South from FR 16 and FR 1630 junction, to FR  303 & 335 (Crooked Creek) to FR 1643 north to FR 16.  From FR 16 and FR 924 north (Lake Creek Lodge) to FR 1648, west  to FR 238 (McCoy Cr) south to FR 16.  The SOLID Green line on the map is the groomed trail.  Sorry about the dashed green line. G

Why Ski Grant County? 1/21/16 videos

Summit Prairie - 4+' snow - click on: Panoramic Video

Logan Valley - 3+' snow - click on: Panoramic Video

FR 1640 just groomed - click on: i love this place video

Groomed Trails - Huddleston to Logan Valley 1/22/16

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from glen johnston:

Cat #1 groomed from Huddleston south on FR 159 and FR 135 to the lower parking lot, continued south on FR 16 and FR 14 to FR1410, west then to FR 368 and FR 1651 to FR 1647, north along east edge of Logan Valley to FR 1649, northwest then east (Bosenberg Cr) over the top to FR 064 to FR 101, north to FR 207, south to the lower lot again and back to base.  Thanks to Bill Prophet.  Pink route on the map.
>
>
>

Groomed Trails - Parish Cabin 1/21/16

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from glen johnston:
>
> Ron  groomed Thursday from Parrish south on FR 15 to FR 210, southwest to FR 655 to FR 1619, south to FR 1710, west to FR 1601 around Antelope Valley, then east on FR 587 east up North Antelope and back to finish.  Orange route on map.

> Thanks Ron
>

Groomed Trails - Seneca thru Logan Valley to Huddleston 1/21/16

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From: Dave Hannibal <dhannibal2011@gmail.com>

Date: January 21, 2016 6:47:37 PM PST

To: Glen Johnston <glenj@centurytel.net>, Bill and Debbie Prophet <wildbee@ortelco.net>

Subject: Grooming report 1 21 16

Good day on the snow!
Groomed the drag strip and oval track in Seneca then headed east.
Lots of logging close to Seneca so I walked the cat through some areas.  The 1601 is the closest access to good trails other than running down the 16 which is plowed. Good trails on the north side of Antilope valley out to the 1619, the portions closest to the 16rd are plowed as well but accessible. 1640 from the 16 to High Lake turn around up top, awesome untouched snow up high. 1648 & 1649 back to Huddleston. See blue line on map for todays route.
Best snow in years
Cheers
Dave

FR 16 South - Summit Prairie 1/21/16: Part 1

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Location: from prairie city, Co. 62 to FR 16 Jct. - Summit Prairie

Road & Trail Conditions: 62 clear to forest boundary then packed snow & ice; FR 16 S. packed, recent snowmobile track with recent 2" powder

Snow Conditions: 4+' base with overnite 2" powder

Skis on & temperature: 10:30 am 32°, mostly cloudy (JD 44° )

Skis off & temperature: 12:30pm 38°

Distance: 6 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 9

Comments: almost did not go out today as temps were warm & rain in forecast.  very glad i did.
 usually head for elevation on days like this.  the summit was deep:

 the trails there (101, 598, 934) not traveled  for quite awhile:

101 rd looking west

 continued down to summit prairie and had a wonderful conditioning/elevation run on one of my favorites - 16 S. rd. snow was great. no recent grooming; snomobile tracks were fine, although they turned around too soon at the 14 jct., snow too deep both ways:

fr 16 left & 14 jct right

within 100 yds. of the car, sun came out, powder turned to glue, walked the remainder.

this is the kind of day where a little elevation, being in the trees, or further east can make a big difference in snow conditions.

  headed home along the 16 rd to scout rds. & found a second run at the 1640. see part 2

FR 1640 to High Lake - Logan Valley West 1/21/16 Part 2

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Location: West end of Logan Valley, approach from 395, Co 65- FR 15 to 16 rd, or Prairie City Co. 62 to FR16.

Road & Trail Conditions: Co. 65 has solid ice from wickiup campground to FR 15.  15 has plowed with 6-8" new snow since.  Deep truck tire ruts, worse approaching 16 rd. driveable
1640 groomed this am.

Snow Conditions: 3+' packed, groomed a few hours earlier.  doesn't get any better than this.

Skis on & temperature:  1:30pm 38° partly sunny

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 32° (JD 42° )

Distance: 7 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10

Comments: after skiing the FR 16 S. rd in the morning, heading home along the 16 rd. to scout trails. hasn't been much grooming here, both cats have been focused on starr ridge & bear valley-seneca. cruising by the 1640, saw it had just been groomed this morning.  thanks dave.

this is the first time i've been on just groomed trail.  wow.  so smooth. tracking the grooming reports & getting on them soon is so worth it. thank you to all the volunteer groomers who make this possible: Dave Hannibal, Glen Johnston, Dan Vandehey Bill Prophet, Gordon & Ron

Video while skiing on this groomed trail

this section of 1640 (3+ miles) is a perfect flat, beginner run, especially freshly groomed.  further past the sign (below) it gets quite steep up to high lake.

skiing along bear creek is lovely.

Groomed Trails - Bear Valley/Seneca 1/20/16

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from glen johnston:

Cat #1: From Seneca FR 310 to FR 37, west and south to FR 31 (@Cheatum Holler), north to FR 723, west to FR 195, continuing west to FR 3770 then return.  Pink line on map.  Cat will move to Huddleston tomorrow.  All the new trails west of Seneca and south of the Izee County Road have been groomed in the 9 days.  Encourage you to get out and enjoy them!  Many thanks to Dave Hannibal, Dan Vandehey and Bill Prophet for all the long hours grooming out there:-)

FR 1640 Opened - Logan Valley

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From: "Burton, Shilo D -FS" <sdburton@fs.fed.us>
Date: January 20, 2016 at 11:56:49 AM PST
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Additional route open to snow machines

Shilo Burton    541-575-3008                                                                               January 20, 2016        

Additional route open to snow machines

JOHN DAY, Ore.  – Forest Officials are pleased to announce that Forest Road (FR) 1640 to High Lake, previously closed due to the Canyon Creek Complex, is now open to snow machines through official order number: 2016-0604-MAL-04H.

While the road has been opened for snow machines, Forest Supervisor Steve Beverlin would like to remind folks that an area closure remains in effect due to hazards created by the Canyon Creek Complex.

The official order, as well as area closure map, can be found online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/home/?cid=stelprd3845529.  

Groomed Trails Starr Ridge 1/19/16

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from glen johnston:

Gerald took the cat from Star Ridge snopark to 987, couple passes on the sledding hill, then 196 to 3925 to 1620 and out to 16 road and up to the 15/16 jct.

Groomed Trail: Bear Valley/Seneca 1/18/16

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from glen johnston:

Cat #1:  groomed today west of Seneca.  Bill and Dan just got in at 8 p.m. and report many down trees to cut.  Long day for those guys, thanks a bunch!  Trails groomed, FR 3190 (Scotty Cr), FR 31, FR 3770 (Camp Cr/Wymer Mdw), FR 3780 (Damon Cr), FR 274 and FR 310 (Shirttail Cr).  Check out the attached map.

Cat #2:  rumored to have left Starr Snowpark and returned to FR 16/15 junction at Parrish, but have no report yet.

FS 3790/473 Loop - Seneca - Bear Valley 1/17/16

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Location: HWY 395, 6 mi south of Seneca, 2 miles west to 3790 jct. & up to 310 jct.

looking north, down, 310 rd from 3790 jct., with atv tracks

Road & Trail Conditions: 395 good; FS 37 & 3790 6-10" snow, truck tire deep ruts.
on return home, 395 had sections of standing water & slush.

Snow Conditions: 2+', crusty base where groomed or driven on, with 6-8" snow since grooming; 1+" new snow today, got mushy & sticky as day progressed. alternating flurries, moderate snow & wind, especially on ridge; then mixed snow & rain

Skis on & temperature: 10am 29° (JD 33°, CC 38° rain, Starr Ridge 34° flurries). used backcountry skis for accumulated snow over groomed. touring skis might have worked

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 36° ( 36° & rain all the way to CC, then 42° )

Distance: Google earth says 10 miles.  seemed much longer

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): started as a 10, ended as a 6, snow became mixed sno & rain. surface became sticky & mushy

310 jct with 473 - looked like the groomed trail (did not check map)

Comments: started at 3790/310 jct. to ski downhill  310 to 472. mistakenly took 473 as it was plowed & groomed for 1.5 miles where it stopped.  broke deep (6" steps)  trail until it connected with 472; very hard work - 2+ miles (felt like 6).  i'd recommend staying on the groomed 472 from the 310 (the map doesn't show this rd - dashed line in map above - somewhere).  Dan, who groomed it, called it the 472.

all of these roads have had logging activity that looks to be on pause with the snow.  many stacks of felled trees waiting to be hauled out, 12' of snow on top.  some of these roads have been plowed & traveled because of this.

elevation profile

this is a lovely loop that would be more fun on a clear day (to see bear valley) and without sticky snow.  nice variety of land: up along a forested ridge, down to the border with bear valley pastures & in between.

along 473 rd

310 rd is a little steep; better to go down & then take 3790 back up to the ridge as it has a more gradual slope, still good work.

slope of the 3790 rd heading back to start

starting up the 472 toward 3790 jct

could also start from the beginning of 310 from seneca (take Shirttail creek/ camp creek rd from town).  unsure how far you can drive in.

473 bordering bear valley

this is the second trip to this area; i like it a lot. i'll be exploring this area more for other trail possibilities

i may be a seneca kid who grew up in kansas

FS 37 rd, Camp Creek - Seneca - Bear Valley 1/14/16

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Location: HWY 395 6 mi south of Seneca, 2 miles west to 3790 jct.




Road & Trail Conditions: hwys clear.  37 plowed for 1.5 mi, packed snow; then 12", groomed with 1+" powder



Snow Conditions: absolutely lovely

Skis on & temperature: 11:15am 18° , mostly sunny (JD 31° cloudy)

Skis off & temperature: 2:15pm 31°, mostly cloudy, flurries starting with next snowstorm (JD 38°)

Distance: 9 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 9.9

37 rd following camp creek

Comments: this felt like my own personal groomed trail.  no snowmobile tracks. powder over groomed.  gradual slope for first 1.5 mi., then basically flat following camp creek west.

this is the slope on the first 1.5 mi.  leave enough gas in the tank to get back up - not too bad.

explored 3790 rd north to 310& 702 jct. where plowing stopped & grooming continued.  when logging & plowing ceases (there are several large piles of cut trees waiting to haul out), this would be a lovely climb to the ridge & find a loop down to the 37 rd. & back.

3790 rd going north from 37 rd.