9:30am
Greetings and welcome!
I woke this morning to a very heavy fog. It did not go below freezing again last night. This isn’t good. Three days of this is the kind of stuff that turns firm snow into whipped cream. I noticed a significant reduction in snow cover in the yard and the ice layer on the deck is getting pretty clear. I had a sinking feeling that we are not going to make it for this weekend with good conditions.
We are going into the 40s again today, mid-30s tomorrow, and upper 30s with rain Saturday. The latest QPF on the weekend storm is 1-2″, and it looks like mostly rain. There isn’t much to be optimistic about.
I looked on Facebook this morning and saw Dan Guendert’s (Chute Pond Club) post and confirmed my concerns. Here is the first & last paragraph of his post (I will post the whole thing below)
TRAIL REPORT- UPDATED 7:30 am, Thursday, December 26, 2019:
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club trails are open, and in poor “early season” condition. The warm weather and rain have, and will, continue to take their toll on our trails. We’re sorry to say the riding experience just wouldn’t be very good right now, and we’re suggesting waiting to ride until the temperatures drop and we get some fresh snow.
Trails are not closed at this time, but we’re recommending that you wait for the weather to change for a better riding experience.
At that point I am putting up the yellow flag for weekend riding. I will get a better look around later today but I don’t have much to be optimistic about.
As always conditions change a lot as you go north and west even 10 or 20 miles. If our area gets marginal there will be more snow north.
More to follow..
RJB
TRAIL REPORT- UPDATED 7:30 am, Thursday, December 26, 2019:
Chute Pond Snowmobile Club trails are open, and in poor “early season” condition. The warm weather and rain have, and will, continue to take their toll on our trails. We’re sorry to say the riding experience just wouldn’t be very good right now, and we’re suggesting waiting to ride until the temperatures drop and we get some fresh snow.
Exceptions (see map): trails that will remain closed at this time are from INT#451-INT#453 (from east of Hwy 32 behind the Junction to Jack Pine Rd), and from INT#447 north to the 18 Corridor trail near Cooked Lake (the northern pipeline trail). DO NOT ride the closed trails- they have not been cleared from the July wind storms because the swamps are still wet and have not allowed equipment to get in to work on those areas yet. The closed areas are tangles of fallen trees in a swampy area- you don’t want to go there.
As for the rest of the trails, “early season conditions” means there will be some bumps, dips, and ruts to deal with as the groomers continue to work on the trails. Be aware that any off-trail riding- even to take one ski off to “grab a little loose snow”- could be dangerous. The July wind storms have devastated many areas of our forested trails, and there are many trees and limbs on the ground just off the edges of the groomed trails. Please stay safe- stay on the groomed trails.
Riders are urged to reduce speed and ride with extra caution, as the forest and the trails look very different since the storm. There are numerous logging operations that will be ongoing throughout the season. Please use extra caution in these areas. No Chute Pond trails cross any lakes or rivers- and ice has been slow to form on most area lakes. Riding on frozen surfaces is not recommended. You are encouraged to carry a portable hand saw if possible, since limbs and branches continue to fall onto and over the trails.
Trails are not closed at this time, but we’re recommending that you wait for the weather to change for a better riding experience.