Summit Prairie - FR 16 South & 1660 1/20/18

the snow returns!

Location: Summit Prairie, co. 62 to FR 16

Road & Trail Conditions: plowed & gravel

Snow Conditions: thin. 4-6" base, groomed last week; 2-5" powder on top.  sno  mo tracks on most trails,  well packed, easy traction & skiing.  great conditions for being thin.

Skis on & temperature: 1pm 30 degrees

Skis off & temperature: 4pm 30 degrees

Distance: +/- 7 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 10, for the company & finally getting out to ski.

Comments: allen taylor, stacia kimball & i made this trip on a lovely day. temps under 32 made it work; no sticky. forecast has 1-2" over next 2 days.  warming temps could change conditions significantly.

skied down (up) 16 s for 2.5 miles & back downhill.  nice, controlled downhill.
turned up toward 1660 & south for 1+ miles & back down hill. some breaking trail on 1660.  the pack from sno mos & breaking trail made it zippy fun.

everything is pretty thin. probably too thin to groom. sno  mo tracks almost as good.

Winter Returns - Huddleston 101 - 2/26/17

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

Location: Co 62 to huddleston snopark

Road & Trail Conditions: FR 169-101-125-1649

Snow Conditions: fabulous; fresh groomed, 2" powder going out; 6" powder coming back.  oh, my!

Skis on & temperature: 9am  22°

Skis off & temperature: 5pm 28°

Distance: 13 miles

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

Comments: it doesn't get much better than this. started out 30mins. behind groomer, with consistent mild to moderate sno thruout day. great runs thru lots of powder.  125 & 1649 were perfect for practicing downhill turns.  have had some rough previous runs on these on icy.

getting off trail was too deep for my skis.  keeping on roads was terrific.

met emily, biologist for the tribes from prairie. avid skier. you'll probably see her out there.

skis moving downhill thru 6" powder

Grooming Report - Summit Prairie - 3/1/17

Made pre-trip repairs to cat and groomed a small loop around Summit Prairie, snow is in good condition with 5 to 8 inches of fresh. Cat tripped an engine light so it was a short day but the snowpark and close in trails are all dresseed up.

Red line on map is todays route

Cheers

Dave

Grooming Report - Huddleston to Logan Valley 2/26/17

Feb 27, 2017 Bill Prophet took Cat #1 today from Huddleston SP and groomed west and south catching FRs 16, 135, 187, 207,101, 1649, 058, 1648, 924, 815, and 307.  Pink line on attached map.  Bill reports 6" new snow;)

FR 101 - Skyline Trailhead 2/8/17

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

Location: Co 62rd to summit: 101 to skyline trailhead, off trail loop up to 151 to 101 to 159 to snopark & back up to 101

Road & Trail Conditions: Co 62 clear to forest, then plowed, packed sno-ice with rain on top - pretty slick

Snow Conditions: soggy & becoming increasingly so

Skis on & temperature: 12:30pm  34° snow (JD 42° rain )

Skis off & temperature: 3:30pm  36° mist (JD 42° rain)

Distance: 6 miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome): 8 for first half - warm & sticky sno; 10 for second half = fun

more gratitude to the grant county road crew.  in addition to plows, sanders, graders there is also this:

front end pulls sno in & throws it up & off to side.  62 is much wider than a few weeks ago.

Comments: took a chance for one more ski before warm, rain front hits elevation tonite.  someone, with dog, laid great tracks from huddleston to skyline trailhead (thank you!). past that sno was too deep & sticky to continue on 101.

set off trail north from trailhead to scout out loops from higher up on skyline trail back to the 101.

great fun getting lost & found several times. the 150 rds north of trailhead haven't been used in awhile; there are 3-5yr. saplings in the the middle of the rd.  wouldn't have known they were rds without gps & usfs topo quadrangles loaded.  found a few slopes to practice downhill.

the short downhill from 101 - 159 to snopark is gd downhill practice & not too tuff to climb back up.

you can skip that section by parking at summit & starting on 101 west:

62rd at summit, cross over this to 101 west

break trail on 101 west to 159 jct.

the first 200 yards  are rarely groomed or tracked.  after that there is usually some base to go on.

the 934 on the east side is also a great way to get to elevation. haven't seen any tracks on that this year.

starting at the summit is useful as the season wanes & starting & going higher gets better sno conditions.

moderate snofall quit about 2.  by time returned to rig, mist began & rain followed.

Grooming Report - Huddleston to Logan Valley 2/3/17

Cat 1 ran from Huddleston on the 101 to the 064 and1648 to High Lakes and back on the 1640 to the 16 and back to parking on the 135.

The snow has set up very well and on trail or off it is in excellent condition with few tracks up high. Near whiteout conditions up high today but should be great when the storm passs.

Blue line on map is todays grooming. 

Cheers

Dave

 

 

Grooming Report - Summit Prairie 1/25/17

SnoCat 1 ran from Huddleston east on the 1665 to the 625 and around to the 16rd then south on the 14rd to Antelope lookout turn around, back to summit prairie and up the 135, 101 and back to the shed.

See blue line (and short orange line east of Summit Pr)  on attached map

For you non-motorized users enjoying the trails please show your support by joining your local snowmobile club, no meetings are required, it takes a lot of time and effort to maintain the trail system and your support is greatly appreciated

I am glad we can help make your winter days more enjoyable

Cheers 

Dave

FR 1665 Loop - Summit Prairie 1/24/17

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

Location: Co. 62 to FR 16 jct.  fr135 to huddleston snopark, 1665 to summit rock (1660 jct) & around east ridge to 478 west to 1660 & return to start.

Road & Trail Conditions: Hwy 26 clear; Co. 62 clear to last ranch then plowed, packed sno & ice

Snow Conditions: deep, deep, deep. groomed sunday, powder dusting on 135, 1/4-1/2" remainder. sunday ski tracks from huddleston 1/2 way up to summit rock; earlier monday (skate?) ski tracks last few miles 1660 to co.62.

Skis on & temperature: 10am  14°  (JD 24° )

Skis off & temperature: 5pm  24°  (JD 34° )

Distance: 20 miles;   elevation 2700'

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome):  11+

Comments: skiing paradise for me - deep, deep snow, groomed previous day, powder on top, only ski tracks since, mid-20's temp., long distance loop, high elevation, great views, new trail.

this is the depth dave hannibal groomed on sunday.  the bank on left is over 8'
FR 1665 underneath summit rock

fantastic day

 

 

Grooming Report - Huddleston/Summit Prairie 1/22/17

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

>
> I groomed east from Huddleston on the 1665 to Summit Rock and on east to the 478 rd. Back to the 16 road and lower lot to back to parking. The snow was very deep once you gain any elevation the going was very difficult and slow, only made 31 miles in 7 hours. The quality is not 100% so be aware of some rough spots.
> See attached map, black line is todays.
> Cheers
> Dave
>

FR 16 Summit Prairie to Logan Valley - 1/8/17

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

Location: Co. 62 to Summit Prairie; FR 16 west

Road & Trail Conditions: a little bit of everything: clear, patchy snow, ice, plowed & packed, unplowed & deep ruts.  black ice on the way down.

Snow Conditions: groomed on thurs. + 4-6" since

Skis on & temperature: 9am 22°  (JD 32° drizzle)

Skis off & temperature: 5:30pm 32°  (JD 46°  rain)

Distance: 12+ miles

Rating (1-10; 10 awesome) 9 for first half; 4 for second; ave: 6

Comments:

hasn't been much grooming, or snomo tracks; trail options limited.  FR 16 groomed on thurs., new powder on top.  snowed all day, alternating lite to moderate.  4"+ on rig with return, tracks covered over on return.

 tree-friend provides shelter for snack break:

goggles were nice with blowing sno .

am sitting on a new piece of gear:



lightweight, insulated to sit on snow.  useful in an emergency if someone needs to sit waiting for help.
am buying more gear at backcountry.com; cheaper than rei, 2 day delivery with $50 order:

http://www.backcountry.com/therm-a-rest-z-seat

second half of trip was long & difficult as sno/ice got into binding & boot wouldn't stay locked in.  cleaned out multiple times; ended up walking the last 1+ mile. got into some deep wind drifts, knee to waist.

on drive down 62, nite, ranchland, roads cleared & dry. came around a curve to black ice with water on top & 8 deer trying to scamper off road. rig did a sweet Slalom ski movement, kept foot off brake, missed the hind end of the last scampering doe, returned pounding heart into chest.

~ happy to be home ~

Grooming Report - Huddleston to Seneca - 1/4/17

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

> Cat one ran from Huddleston to Seneca and will be stationed there through the weekend to support the races and also to get caught up on the western trails.
> Roads 135, 16, 1619, 587,1601,703 733,723 to Seneca.
> Yellow line in picture is 1-4 groom
> Great snow and cold temps.
> Enjoy
> Dave
>

Late Grooming Report 1/1/17 - Summit Prairie

click on image for larger version
you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer
open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

 On Jan 1, 2017 10:13, "Dave Hannibal" <dhannibal2011@gmail.com> wrote:

Happy New Year

Cat one started out last Wednesday on a run to Antilope and had mechanical issues so it spent the next 3 nights alone in the woods on the 14 road. Repairs were completed yeaterday afternoon, thank you to Dan and Tim for the help.

As for fresh grooming the 135 from Huddleston to lower lot out the 16 to about 3-4 miles out the 14 (where the cat was broke done) and back to parking. Also the small loop just above Huddleston.

Further out the 16 from the 16rd 14rd Junction was pretty much untouched fresh groom with 8 inches of fresh on top. What was covered yesterday is set up hard, off trail is bottomless powder.

Wednesday I will groom from Summit prairie to Seneca and the cat will stay there through the weekend preping the race tracks and hitting trails out of Seneca.

Saturdays groom is the blue line on map.

Enjoy

Dave

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

click on image for larger version. you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

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

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

click on image for larger version. you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

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

click on image for larger version. you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer open and be able to zoom in for more detail.

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............