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.
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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.