Snow Fog at Summit Prairie 12/25/16

this is what greeted me returning to rig:

Summit Rock: 16-1660 revisted 12/25/16

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Location: Co. 62 to FR 16 Summit Prairie.  FR 16 south, at summit 600 east...630...1660 uphill to Summit Rock; backtrack down 1660 to 16 & start

Road & Trail Conditions: AM; Hwy 26 patchy sno  & ice PM mostly clear; Co. 62 plowed packed sno & ice, more ice at lower elevation

Snow Conditions: almost 3' base, 3-12" new over previous grooming

Skis on & temperature: 10am 18° (JD 25° )

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 0° (PC 10° ; JD 17° )

Distance: 14 miles;  elevation 1600+

elevation chart:

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Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10 (of course)

Comments: lovely start of day: blue skies & sunny with an east wind blowing lazy sno flurries.  ahhhh.....

limited ski options today. 6-12" new sno since last grooming made many trails too deep.  surprisingly, not many snomo tracks since then either.  followed some from fri or sat. with new sno on top.  saw no one today.

started out on the same course as 12/22, south on 16 as it was into the sun & there was one clean, flat snomo track with 1-2" powder on top. the only other option looked to be the 16 west into logan valley. had several snomo tracks with lots of crossing chop. also in the shade.

temp. wasn't too cold, occasional brisk east wind dropped windchill fast +/- 0.  wore most of my layers & first day for balaclava:

found it very useful, especially at end of day, sun down, shadows, wind & downhill.  broke out heated mitts for second time as fingertips were getting pretty cold.

more sno than thurs., breaking trail slows things down; no herringbone needed on top of 630:

 1660 downhill on thurs. was 15mph; today 7.  i like slower.

this is a day where you follow whoever was kind enough to lay some tracks down.  the first set on  600-630 ended 1 mile short of the 1660.  broke trail for that mile & found more tracks both up & down 1660. at summit rock, no tracks down 1665 to huddleston, so backtracked.

went up for the view & some pics:

Graham Mtn.

summit prairie FR 16 west into logan valley

l-r strawberry to graham mtns.

Strawberry mtn. - se face

above treeline wind can easily cover over groom or tracks:

Solstice Ski - Summit Prairie FR16 -600...1660 etc. Loop 12/22/16

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Location: Co. 62 to FR 16 Summit Prairie.  FR 16 south, at summit 600 east...630...1660 north...625...598 west 135 south back to start

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 finally clear. Co.62 clear to forest boundary then packed ice. snoplow & gravel truck working as i went up

Snow Conditions: 2'+' base

Skis on & temperature: 9:30 0° (JD 14° )

Skis off & temperature: 2:30 20° (PC 24° JD 27° )

Distance: 12+ miles; 1500'

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10+

Comments:  another fabulous day skiing grant county!  blue & sunny & cold to begin, clouds moved in mid morning with warming, finished with blue & sun.

this is starting to feel like my own private ski resort. fresh untouched groomed trails, several days old groomed with 1"+ powder. no snomobiles. very gratitude.

FR 16 south summit. snomo tracks to right along 16; older groomed with 1" powder along 606 to left

this is a lovely loop, that can be modified into smaller segments taking the 1660 back to 16.  the elevation climb is easy except for some herring bone technique for 50+ yds. at the peak of the 630:

the payoff for the elevation work is a zippy, long & fun downhill run along the 1660.  today had 1"+ of powder on older groomed.  wide road, easy curves. 15mph, only wobbled a few times; no crash & burn.  great downhill control practice.

a few down trees, probably will be removed shortly. 2 on the 598 easy to get around. one on the 625:

no way around on skis. be careful stepping into drifts & off road.  easily went up to knees & higher.

please take care going fast downhill around blind curves.  came up on this turning downhill, from 625 to 598: shaded, icy & around a curve.

here is a sight i haven't seen:

the 135 from huddleston to 16, untouched by snomo tracks, flat smooth, fun.  this is usually pretty chewed up & choppy.

FR 16 west into logan valley has been groomed with tracks on top:

snack break & map check on the 625

USFS Roads Plowed for Winter TImber Harvest

From: Murray, Robin R -FS
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 10:43 AM
To: Dixon, Teresa - FS <teresaldixon@fs.fed.us>; Winegar, Shannon -FS <swinegar@fs.fed.us>
Cc: Murray, Robin R -FS <rrmurray@fs.fed.us>
Subject: update on plowed roads

Thought I’d give you both an update on plowed roads with timber sales and contracts that I administer:  The 2010 road is plowed several miles to the junction of 2010/2010328 in the Cup contract area. I expect it will be plowed most of the winter.

The 15 road is plowed to the junction with 15/16.  I think the 15 road south of the 15/16 junction may be plowed as well to Wolf North IRTC – Trevor Simmons is the SA and would have more information on Wolf North.  Trevor may also be able to tell you what roads are plowed in Mars TS that is in the vicinity of the 4955 road.

The 3925 is plowed from the junction of 3925/15 to 3925/3925382 in the Sugar contract area and C Salvage. I expect plowing to continue west on the 3925 as there are Sugar units that require oversnow logging along the 3925.  Ryan Courtney is the SA for C Salvage and may have additional road numbers that are being plowed in the Canyon Creek drainage.

The 1601 in Cub TS and 4900333 road to Venus TS may also be plowed in the Starr Ridge area – Lisa Arntz would have more information for those areas.

……………and after a trip to the Sugar contract area this afternoon, I see the 1620 road is plowed for eventual haul and the 3925 is plowed to the 1516 junction.  Incidentally; the 1516 is plowed as well probably for haul off the C Salvage units.

Solstice Grooming - Logan Valley/Summit Prairie 12/21/16

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Dave Hannibal's report for the first day of winter follows;-)

>
> Sledheads, Ski Bums & Hipster Snowshoers
> Great snow to be had, get out there and get you some!
> I took cat one from Huddleston to High Lakes and back, picking up some odd pieces along the way and then hit the rail road grade from the 1648 all the way to the lower parking lot on my way back. This is a great trail if you have not taken it before as it has many earthen train tressels that are just... cool!
> The trail to High Lakes looks great and down below to the east toward Lake Creek the trails had seen a lot of use and were beat on pretty hard ;-) they are much better now but it will take one more pass on a lot of the trails to really smooth things out.
> Red on attached map is todays route.
> For the road numbers it looks like this: Huddleston to 101, 1648 064, 1648, 1640 to HL turnaround and down to the 16, east on the 16 to 1648 Rail grade 062, 070, 097 & 135 back.
> The trails are looking good with some getting hit for the second time now, temps were 20s to single digits and trails will be set up nice.
>
> Cheers and Merry Christmas to all.
> Dave
>

happy solstice!!!!!!!!!!

Summit & Wickiup Creeks - FR 1651, 1410 etc. 12/18/16

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Location: Co 62 to Summit Prairie.  FR 16 west to 1651 south to 1410 east to 368 to 1410 to 14 north 16 north back to summit prairie

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 worst in shaded curves east of JD. Co. 62 plowed, packed, blowing sno

Snow Conditions: solid 24" base froze recently, groomed trails are fab! no new on top

Skis on & temperature: 10am -8° (not sure this is accurate, maybe it was 0; tacoma pickup sensor may be freaking out a little) JD 8°  PC 12°

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 8° PC 14°  JD 16°

Distance: 16+ miles 1500' elevation

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10+; this trip calls for a new scale

Comments: this was an awesome trip. blue sky, full sun, no wind.  remember sunscreen, for lips, too & sunglasses.

longest distance & highest climb of the season. started out and ended cold, in between, good while moving or in the sun.  shadows got cold quickly. forecast wind did not drive windchill further down.  summit creek section mainly sunny.  wickiup creek section mainly shadows.

ungroomed 16 west with snomo tracks; 1651 to left

these roads were recently groomed.  only first 2 mile section of 16 west had 2 snomobile tracks; the rest were pristine.  could have used some kick wax on the steep section of 368; just ordered online, should be here wed. ready for thurs. ski.

pristine 1651 heading down summit creek from fr 16

the rd along summit creek is gorgeous & flat:

turning east on 1410 starts a gradual climb that gets a little steep after transition to 368:

 the sno so firm, can't hardly see ski tracks.

can't say enough about this loop. need some good legs; today needed some good layering.

saw one snomobile on a trailer at huddleston.  no tracks, no nothing.

the climb up 368 was a little steep.  the downhill to fr 14 was zippy, fun, enough traction to be in control - something i need to practice.  1mph going up; 10mph coming down.

pausing at the highest point, it was so quiet......................

frosty the ski bum

i gauge the cold by the thickness of breath condensation ice on beard. switched from hydration bladder as the tube froze last trip.  this time water bottle button froze, unscrewed cap.  later, cap froze. need a new system.

this is some of the best conditions i've seen in 4 winters of skiing here. forecast shows 1-3" on monday;  2-4" mon. nite; 1-3" tues.

have a lovely............

Grooming Report - Summit Prairie 12/17/16

from glen johnston:

Bill Prophet took Cat 1 from Huddleston to the lower lot at Summit Prairie, SW on FR 16, SW and south on FR 1651 (Summit Cr), east on FR 1410 (Wickiup Cr) to FR 14, north to FR 16 and Summit Prairie, east on FR 1660, north on FR 650 and FR 598 back to start.  Bill reports good snow and grooming well;-)

FR 16 Summit Prairie 12/15/16 Backwards Day

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Location: Co 62 to Summit Prairie.  FR 16 south

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 plowed, packed, blowing sno, worse at curves east of JD. co 62 being plowed as i drove up:

gratitude to the grant county road dept for keeping the 62 rd open:

FR 16 not plowed west of summit prairie. sounds like it won't be unless logging extends east from FR 15, Parish cabin jct.

Snow Conditions: First grooming yesterday. 18+" base with 1-3" new powder since.  moist.

Skis on & temperature:  11am 34° (JD 22°)

Skis off & temperature: 4:30pm 29°(PC & JD 24°)

Distance: 12+ miles;

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 9.5 (-.5 for sticky sno in dec.)

Comments: this is backwards day.  colder in the valley than the summit.  more sno overnite at starr ridge than huddleston, sticky sno in dec., less sno further east you go on 16.  it is useful to be flexible.

saw a number of insects flying & on the sno.   they'll need some warm coats.  fri nite forecast for summit prairie: Mostly clear, with a low around -16. Wind chill values as low as -31

just groomed yesterday, still 2-3" powder overnite made for some breaking of trail.  something very satisfying about skiing back on the trail you broke.

noon:30 stopped for snack & maxiglide wax on skis; resolved sticking sno

i like this trip for conditioning.  first 1.5 miles has gradual 600' elevation climb.  after that, moderate slopes.  i love the 16 rd as it heads east above crane prairie. would like to extend conditioning & mileage (+9) to get to little crane campground (& back).

ice crystal diamonds falling out of black sky on slow drive down co 62

 i love this place

Grooming Report - Huddleston/Summit Prairie 12/14/16

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 > HOORAY!!! Grooming started today.  Here is operator Dave Hannibal's report;-)

> Grooming report
> Cat one out of Huddleston for 47 miles in 10.2 hours.
> 1665 to 625 to1660 to 478 back on the 1665 down to 16 then out to Short creek and back on 16  to summit prairie, dressed up lower lot and 135 to upper and around Huddleston lot but not the loop.  14ish down trees moved and all cattle gaurds filled on route.
>  Real nice snow,  had to run lockers more than a few times up high as its deep.
> Cat running good, light snow all day and a great start on the season!
> Dave
>

Snowshoe Trail - Bear Valley 12/11/16

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Location: Hwy 395 south to Co. 63 west 12+ miles

Road & Trail Conditions: 395 plowed with icy patches, Co 63 plowed & packed; FR 4920 from starr ridge campground has several ski tracks & sno looks good

Snow Conditions: 12" powder starting to form base, continued sno thruout day,

Skis on & temperature:  9:30am 29°

Skis off & temperature: 12:30pm  29°

Distance: 6 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10+

Comments: allen taylor & i ventured out to the first run on his favorite trail in bear valley.

alternating blue skies:

and moderate sno. there is one hill in the first mile, 100 yds, a little steep, with todays deeper sno required some herring bone technique.

not too long, good conditioning, the remainder of trail basically flat to slight downhill:

we finished the loop going from fr31 to 63 & back to 014 as last section is not well marked & requires stream crossings.  will map this out in detail later.

there is also a side road, 650 at the highest point that leads out to a lovely lookout east toward south fork john day. passed on this today, too cloudy.

can access this trail from Co. 63 & fr 014 jct (easier to see fr 594 up to flagtail mtn. on other side of road) or down fr 31. easier to climb the elevation from 014.

there are some lovely aspen & pine stands along the creeks on the east side:

Starr Ridge Sno Park - FR 333 12/8/16

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Location: Hwy 395 to Starr Ridge Snow Park

Road & Trail Conditions: 395 plowed & packed sno, FR 333 12", packed tire tracks, +1" fresh powder.

Snow Conditions: recent 4" added to thruout the day

Skis on & temperature: 3:30pm 18 °

Skis off & temperature: 5:30pm 20°

Distance: 5+miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10+

Comments: late start after extensive scouting trip up fields creek rd, murerers creek, izee, bear valley

south fork rd

 

 

snowed all day from flurries to moderate with strong winds.  love it.

FR 333 is easy access, basically flat except first 1/4 mile slight hill.  from this road there are several smaller roads angling north up to the 4920. 

at windfall creek there is also a closed rd. marked ski trail (blue diamonds) as a short loop.

sno conditions were fab as the truck tires packed the recent 12" & the fresh powder was.....

                                                       smooth..............

it is getting dark early as winter solstice draws near. carry a headlamp

Crane Prairie - FR 14 12/5/16

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Location: South of Summit Prairie: FR 16 to 14 jct, then south to 185 jct

Road & Trail Conditions: hwy 26 packed sno-ice until a few miles east of JD, then clear. Co. 62 clear to reynolds creek rd. packed sno-ice, plowing started as i went up, ends at summit prairie.  FR 16 west not plowed. wouldn't take anything less than 4wd up the FR 16 from summit prairie to 14 jct.

a few snowmobiles have ventured out from huddleston

Snow Conditions: new 5" powder over another 5" base forming

Skis on & temperature: 11:15am 12° (JD 18° )

Skis off & temperature: 2:15pm 22°  (JD 33°)

Distance: 7.5 miles, slight up & down, basically flat

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10

FR 16 continues to left, 14 due south

Comments: good cold temp conditioning run. drove, then skied in tracks. hey, it's grant county.   sno is a little deep at this elevation to break trail.  a base is forming and may be able to break trail later.

 lovely with sun out, clouds turned it quite cold.  an occasional, short breeze dropped 10° quickly.

FR 14 continues left; 185 to right

 




learning how to drive the tacoma in the deep stuff.  haven't got stuck - new standard for a good trip