It's true. The Bauer Loops, as well as the Rush Creek Loop have been groomed. Skiing ought to be noticeably improved as hikers had really pocked out the trail. Mechanical difficulty kept us from getting more grooming done (watch out for the red snowmobile in the middle of the trail at the north end of the Upper Bauer Loop). I'll keep you all posted on future grooming efforts. Our next big effort will be to remove the stranded machine asap.
A total of 10 volunteer hours were logged today.
Monday, January 16, 2017
Saturday, January 14, 2017
The Tears of the Chicken
Sorry, but we had to pull the plug on grooming activities this morning. We cannot groom water, in the liquid state that is. We will keep a watchful, hopeful eye on the sky and the weather sites and will advise you all through this blog when more favorable grooming conditions present themselves. Until then...
Friday, January 13, 2017
Kiss the Chicken (on the lips. Yuck)
Yes, folks - it looks like another big Pacific Hot Wet Kiss headed straight for us. The forecast calls for at least as much rain as snow over the next few days. So. Let's just see how it plays out. If the temperatures are too warm, we will not groom, and right now the
weather service is calling for an overnight low right at the freezing
point.
The current plan is for grooming to commence tomorrow (Saturday) morning about 9am. If you are out skiing and you hear the groomers coming, please move all the way off the track so we may groom it in its entirety. When the snow is soft it can be very difficult to steer the machines effectively so a clear path is a big help to us. Thanks in advance.
The current plan is for grooming to commence tomorrow (Saturday) morning about 9am. If you are out skiing and you hear the groomers coming, please move all the way off the track so we may groom it in its entirety. When the snow is soft it can be very difficult to steer the machines effectively so a clear path is a big help to us. Thanks in advance.
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Chicken Goes Flatline
Break out the paddles; red alert. The rain is not helping at the ski area. We had to abort an attempt at grooming when we realized the snow was the consistency of a two foot deep bed of ball bearings. So the outermost ring of the Bauer Loops has been groomed, as well as the Rush Loop. It was on the Rush Loop the full weight of the folly in which we were engaged sunk in. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say we beat a hasty retreat for the exit.
We will most likely sit back a bit and assess the impact of the incoming weather system - which looks to be warm and wet. Very. Unless things cool off and firm up, grooming will take a brief siesta, unless otherwise notified via this highly questionable disseminator of information.
Peter and Phil put in 4 hours grooming (read: wrestling large, heavy hunks of steel and aluminum with sharp teeth, all while smiling and waving) before pulling the plug on the whole concept. Plus an hours worth of repair work yesterday to bring us up to a total of 5 volunteer hours for this entry.
We will most likely sit back a bit and assess the impact of the incoming weather system - which looks to be warm and wet. Very. Unless things cool off and firm up, grooming will take a brief siesta, unless otherwise notified via this highly questionable disseminator of information.
Peter and Phil put in 4 hours grooming (read: wrestling large, heavy hunks of steel and aluminum with sharp teeth, all while smiling and waving) before pulling the plug on the whole concept. Plus an hours worth of repair work yesterday to bring us up to a total of 5 volunteer hours for this entry.
Friday, January 6, 2017
Fresh Groomage Friday
Good news, chicken lovers: All trails currently open at the ski area were groomed today in anticipation of a busy weekend. So get out there and enjoy all the hard work put in by Allen F and John G.
That Map Again
Also, in case you forget to bring money to put in to the donation box, there are envelopes in the top section of the box which may simply be dropped in the box at your next visit (stuffed with hundred dollar bills, ha) or at the post office, as they are conveniently pre-addressed. Someone suggested including a way to do this on the blog, and we can look into that. It is not likely to happen this week or next, so please work with us on this and just pick up an envelope next time you ski.
Also, the blog is the sole source of information for Chicken Creek. If you have comments, please feel free to leave them in the "comment" section. My personal phone number is not intended as a "condition update hotline" unless you happen to be my mother (in which case I will gladly return the call. Otherwise those calls get deleted. Sorry, but life is too short). If you see no update on the blog, it means no grooming has happened, OR I haven't gotten to it yet. Check back in the evening. I do my best to keep it as up-to-date as possible.
Our fearless groomers logged 13 hours today spiffing things up at the area; and fetching fuel for the machines.
That Map Again
Also, in case you forget to bring money to put in to the donation box, there are envelopes in the top section of the box which may simply be dropped in the box at your next visit (stuffed with hundred dollar bills, ha) or at the post office, as they are conveniently pre-addressed. Someone suggested including a way to do this on the blog, and we can look into that. It is not likely to happen this week or next, so please work with us on this and just pick up an envelope next time you ski.
Also, the blog is the sole source of information for Chicken Creek. If you have comments, please feel free to leave them in the "comment" section. My personal phone number is not intended as a "condition update hotline" unless you happen to be my mother (in which case I will gladly return the call. Otherwise those calls get deleted. Sorry, but life is too short). If you see no update on the blog, it means no grooming has happened, OR I haven't gotten to it yet. Check back in the evening. I do my best to keep it as up-to-date as possible.
Our fearless groomers logged 13 hours today spiffing things up at the area; and fetching fuel for the machines.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
This Chicken's Organic
And Delicious!
Latest Map, again
Peter B and Peter R spent several hours grooming today, including the setting of the much-anticipated CLASSIC TRACK. At this time the following trails are groomed; Bauer Loops upper and lower, Rush Creek, the Chicken Creek Road up to the turnaround, and the Hamlin Loop. The Turkey Creek road has been machine packed, but we need more snow before we can commence grooming in there. The next couple days look pretty promising for more snow, so with any luck at all we'll get enough to begin leveling Turkey as well.
It is so lovely up there now with the trees all loaded with snow and fresh corduroy everywhere. I suggest you help yourself to a big ol' dish of it as soon as you can. The picture below shows the meadow on Rush Creek's west side before any grooming happened. I love that spot so much I thought I'd share a picture with the oak all covered in snow.
It looks even better now!
The parking lot has been full, but the donation box is really wanting for some company. Please, if you haven't yet, give it some love.
Between fixing a busted up Ginzu Groomer, doing all the grooming and machine maintenance, and the writing of this here blog, 10.5 volunteer hours were spent today making Nordic Skiers happy.
Latest Map, again
Peter B and Peter R spent several hours grooming today, including the setting of the much-anticipated CLASSIC TRACK. At this time the following trails are groomed; Bauer Loops upper and lower, Rush Creek, the Chicken Creek Road up to the turnaround, and the Hamlin Loop. The Turkey Creek road has been machine packed, but we need more snow before we can commence grooming in there. The next couple days look pretty promising for more snow, so with any luck at all we'll get enough to begin leveling Turkey as well.
It is so lovely up there now with the trees all loaded with snow and fresh corduroy everywhere. I suggest you help yourself to a big ol' dish of it as soon as you can. The picture below shows the meadow on Rush Creek's west side before any grooming happened. I love that spot so much I thought I'd share a picture with the oak all covered in snow.
The parking lot has been full, but the donation box is really wanting for some company. Please, if you haven't yet, give it some love.
Between fixing a busted up Ginzu Groomer, doing all the grooming and machine maintenance, and the writing of this here blog, 10.5 volunteer hours were spent today making Nordic Skiers happy.
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Succulent New Year's Chicken
The new snow we received in the last 36 hours has gone a long way to improving the situation at the ski area. We now have full coverage everywhere on all trails.
Even better than that, Tom R and Peter B groomed all the open runs first thing this morning! So the skiing today and into tomorrow ought to be fabulous. We will do our level best to keep the snow groomed. The parking lot was full when I left about noon today. Nice to see the crowds enjoying the snow.
Good news for those on snowshoes and hikers: An enterprising young man has established a packed out hiking trail which begins at the far end of the parking lot, toward the north side (closer to the pond). Hikers and snowshoers are encouraged to take advantage of this new amenity (giving the groomed track a break). He claims it goes for about two miles, which ought to be perfect for those looking to take a nice stroll. Thank you, Michael!
Once again, here's the updated map:
Newest Map
Please keep in mind Hamlin Loop has not yet been groomed. We are aiming for Tuesday.
Volunteer hours for the day amount to 6.75 hours, grooming, blogging, admin.
Even better than that, Tom R and Peter B groomed all the open runs first thing this morning! So the skiing today and into tomorrow ought to be fabulous. We will do our level best to keep the snow groomed. The parking lot was full when I left about noon today. Nice to see the crowds enjoying the snow.
Good news for those on snowshoes and hikers: An enterprising young man has established a packed out hiking trail which begins at the far end of the parking lot, toward the north side (closer to the pond). Hikers and snowshoers are encouraged to take advantage of this new amenity (giving the groomed track a break). He claims it goes for about two miles, which ought to be perfect for those looking to take a nice stroll. Thank you, Michael!
Once again, here's the updated map:
Newest Map
Please keep in mind Hamlin Loop has not yet been groomed. We are aiming for Tuesday.
Volunteer hours for the day amount to 6.75 hours, grooming, blogging, admin.
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