Saw a few wild turkeys up on the Hamlin Loop yesterday; looking for some scratch and trying to stay warm. No chickens, though...
Condition Report:
The snow is super lovely all over the joint up there. Fresh and cold, cold, cold. For skating yesterday I wanted the coldest wax available (too bad I didn't have it on!)
What's Groomed:
Both Upper and Lower Little Bauer got some attention yesterday and are in superb shape. Hamlin also got it yesterday and is a dream come true. Even the road to the top and Rush are all newly dialed in. This is amazing considering how quickly all the snow fell, and that we had a glitch with our major grooming machine already. The Bearcat apparently really wanted to climb a pine but was not up to the task. Inconvenient, but no one got hurt.
AS GOOD AS IT GETS; so go get some...
Friday, December 21, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
More snow, more grooming
I finally got away from the computer screen yesterday to enjoy the "hero" snow up at Chicken Creek. What a delight! Soft and firm all at once.
Grooming report:
Groomers Tom and Andy reported in last night that they Re-rolled the Bauer loops, as well as track-packed the road up to the top. They also got some track packing done on the Hamlin loop, so with any luck we can open Hamlin to skating in the next couple days. All the internal gates are now open so grooming can take place everywhere.
With the heavy snow taking place as I write this, it is doubtful there will be any hope of skating until this afternoon at the earliest. John has volunteered to go up and try to pack this dump out, and maybe even set some classic track on the Bauer loops. We'll see how that pans out and I will try to keep the blog as up-to-the-minute as possible.
This storm may be over with as early as about 1pm today, and then temperatures are supposed to plummet. Should make for some nice conditions!
Grooming report:
Groomers Tom and Andy reported in last night that they Re-rolled the Bauer loops, as well as track-packed the road up to the top. They also got some track packing done on the Hamlin loop, so with any luck we can open Hamlin to skating in the next couple days. All the internal gates are now open so grooming can take place everywhere.
With the heavy snow taking place as I write this, it is doubtful there will be any hope of skating until this afternoon at the earliest. John has volunteered to go up and try to pack this dump out, and maybe even set some classic track on the Bauer loops. We'll see how that pans out and I will try to keep the blog as up-to-the-minute as possible.
This storm may be over with as early as about 1pm today, and then temperatures are supposed to plummet. Should make for some nice conditions!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Afternoon Update
Mark and Brad Fearlessly flew up and down the hill of the Chicken Creek area all morning, and the Bauer Loops as well as the Rush Creek Spur (The West Leg of Rush) are now well-groomed. The FS Road up to Rush has been track packed but not yet groomed.
Looks like lots of people are checking out the blog, which is great. Some pent-up demand, I think. Let it out, people!
Looks like lots of people are checking out the blog, which is great. Some pent-up demand, I think. Let it out, people!
It snoweth, let's go-eth!
Apparently Winter is here, or at least the snowfall aspect of it.
There is grooming action happening today and more to come Tuesday. I will endeavor to keep you all up to date as soon as reports come in. Sounds like soft, loose snow; not so well suited to skating as classic stride skiing.
Rush was groomed yesterday afternoon, and reported to be in fair condition with the occasional rock sticking out - so caution is advised.
More later, after the groomers report in...
There is grooming action happening today and more to come Tuesday. I will endeavor to keep you all up to date as soon as reports come in. Sounds like soft, loose snow; not so well suited to skating as classic stride skiing.
Rush was groomed yesterday afternoon, and reported to be in fair condition with the occasional rock sticking out - so caution is advised.
More later, after the groomers report in...
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Good News! And a request for blog readers.
Hank and Mark Groomed both sections of the Little Bauer loop today, so disregard the earlier blog entry. Actual grooming has taken place! Yes!
More grooming scheduled for tomorrow and lots of snowflakes on the forecast. Maybe our luck just changed. I will keep you as updated as possible.
Here's the request part: Please share with anyone you think may be interested the fact of this blog's existence. Let's spread the word. Post it on Facebook, link to it on your own blogs, shout it from the mountain tops, whatever.
More grooming scheduled for tomorrow and lots of snowflakes on the forecast. Maybe our luck just changed. I will keep you as updated as possible.
Here's the request part: Please share with anyone you think may be interested the fact of this blog's existence. Let's spread the word. Post it on Facebook, link to it on your own blogs, shout it from the mountain tops, whatever.
Season's first snowfall!
Yes!
Snow is finally here, and a lot of you are wondering what we plan to do about it; grooming wise.
The information I have so far is that two groomers are up there attempting to track pack as much terrain as possible.
Track packing simply means they are out there zooming around on the snow machines having a blast. Well, not exactly. But it's true they are not hauling any grooming equipment like rollers or track setters. Before any actual "grooming" can take place the snow must be packed down. Otherwise the grooming equipment floats along behind the machines and creates multiple levels of snow and just generally makes a mess of things.
It is a possibility that tomorrow some actual grooming may take place. I will endeavor to keep you all posted. Once the grooming begins the poultry puns cannot be too far behind. Brace yourselves.
Snow is finally here, and a lot of you are wondering what we plan to do about it; grooming wise.
The information I have so far is that two groomers are up there attempting to track pack as much terrain as possible.
Track packing simply means they are out there zooming around on the snow machines having a blast. Well, not exactly. But it's true they are not hauling any grooming equipment like rollers or track setters. Before any actual "grooming" can take place the snow must be packed down. Otherwise the grooming equipment floats along behind the machines and creates multiple levels of snow and just generally makes a mess of things.
It is a possibility that tomorrow some actual grooming may take place. I will endeavor to keep you all posted. Once the grooming begins the poultry puns cannot be too far behind. Brace yourselves.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Anticipating the Coming Season / Call for Help
Believe it or not the hardworking board of the Chicken Creek Cross Country Ski Area are already in full swing in order to make yet another ski season happen for everyone.
Towards that end, we have three requests for our happy readers:
Towards that end, we have three requests for our happy readers:
- If you happen to be out hiking or biking on the Hamlin Loop (Hamlin especially, but anywhere we ski up there would be good) in the next couple weeks, please help us move the recently cut brush, rocks, passed out cows, or any other trail obstacles you encounter, off the path. You can even make a special trip of it - a pre-season party - if you like. We won't mind.
- We are now planning our groomers meeting for the volunteer groomers. Anyone interested and able to spend time and energy grooming the trails please respond to this entry. We'll provide free training! You could also call Peter at 533-1605.
- Don't forget to join! Membership rates are ridiculously cheap at $50 for individuals, $90 for families, $150 for "Sponsor," or $200 for "Benefactor." Of course if you want to give more, that is acceptable too. Make checks payable to Chicken Creek Ski Corp (CCSC) and send them to PO Box 111 Mancos, CO 81328
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