Philip A and Peter B got after it and groomed the Bauer Loops as well as the Rush Loop. By tomorrow (Tuesday) it ought to be very good skating on all those trails and the kicking and gliding ought to be quite tasty as well. Warm temps predicted through the week may wreak havoc after a couple days, but for now we may as well enjoy it. Right now there is not enough snow to set classic track on the lower loops. If we can muster sufficient manpower we will set track on Rush, but with the holiday it has been difficult to rally groomers. I will keep you posted as things progress.
It's hard to explain how disheartening it is to spend several hours working to make the track nice and then watch as people walk right down the middle of it, essentially trashing it for skaters. So please people, find somewhere else to walk. It's a big forest. Snow shoe hikers are politely asked to stay off the track as well, or at least go single file on the extreme margin of the groomed track. Also a reminder that dogs are not allowed past the gate at the top of the Bauer Loops.
Volunteer hours for today total 10.5 for grooming, schlepping gasoline, and posting signs asking people to read the signs already there.
3 comments:
On the sign it asks that walkers stay to the side of the trail, so that is what me and my friends did the other day. However, we were stopped by 3 different people asking us not to and we felt very unwelcome and uncomfortable. I understand that this area is mainly used for skiing, so maybe it should be put on the sign that hikers should find somewhere else to walk since not everyone reads this blog. Also, it seems odd that dogs are allowed on the lower loops and hikers are not since dogs can tear up the trail just as much, or more. Anyways, just food for thought. Thanks for all that you do!
WW- I don't really have a horse in this race but like all outdoor endevours, it's not carte-blanche. If the snow is soft and you are post holing - hike/SS elsewhere. If it's packed and firm, as the sign says - it's probably ok to walk on the side of the trail. Use common sense and think of other's users experience and make a reasonable decision regarding how you are impacting the system. Maybe better signage would help in today's world. Cheers.
Thank you both for your thoughtful - and thought-provoking comments. As both grooming coordinator for the ski area and the blogger, I relish the opportunity to address this issue.
First and foremost, Chicken Creek is being managed as a Nordic ski area during the winter months when snow is on the ground. Skiers have enjoyed this amenity since the 1980's. There are many other places in the forest where hikers are welcome, such as the Transfer Road, and Echo Basin Road, for example. We run on volunteer power and simply cannot be all things to all people. Therefor, we respectfully ask hikers to stay off the track so the designated users - skiers - may enjoy the area to maximum benefit. I'm sorry you were offended and uncomfortable, but I am also gratified so many people felt empowered to give you the bad news. Hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are spent every winter to provide this amenity for the region's many Nordic Skiers. As discourteous as it may sound, hikers are not particularly welcome on the ski trail, anymore than you would be welcome to hike down a groomed ski run at Purgatory Ski Resort (also on Forest Service lands).
As for the issue of dogs and the damage they do, I must respectfully but forcefully disagree they " tear up the trail just as much, or more" (than hikers). Most humans weigh multiple times what the average dog weighs, and my long experience with grooming the trails leaves no doubt in my mind hikers do considerably more damage than dogs. Dogs DO damage the trail, no doubt. Especially large heavy ones. We can manage the damage they do with grooming as frequently as manpower is available. Hiker damage is - in my informed opinion - not manageable.
All we are asking is for our users to respect the intended purpose of this Ski Area. Mr. Mega's request to consider how you impact others experience is spot-on.
Thank you for the opportunity to bring some light to this subject. One that is near and dear to my heart.
PS, new signage has been posted at the trailhead which we hope clarifies the situation.
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