Christmas Day Ski

Two of the thirteen skiers from the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon Nordic Clubs who enjoyed a ski to the Summit Shelter on Christmas Day. A break in the weather and some brief sunshine made taking turns breaking trail easier as they wound their way up to this shelter from the Canal and Pitt View trails. It was a bit hard to leave the warm fire and head back, but the glide was worth it. Most of the group joined up later for a chili party at a SONC member's home.

Fish Lake Ski

Santa's Elf calls numbers for a white elephant gift exchange.

More than 45 backcountry skiers from southern Oregon gathered at Fish Lake to ski the Lollipop Loop and have a Christmas Party in the shelter built in 1936 by the CCC. With 18 inches of snow to break trail through, the group divided into two after skiing the stem of the Lollipop, met at the top of the sucker and passed each other. Everyone had a great ride down the trail groomed by the other group. New skiers had fun taking lessons closer to the shelter.

First Ski of the Season

Five back country skiers from the Rogue Valley took advantage of a break between snow storms and enjoyed a marvelous ski tour up the Canal trail from Summit Sno-Park on Highway 140. Following a trail broken the day before, we skied through the sparkling forest noticing the many animal tracks, including those of a small herd of elk that had recently followed the trail for a bit. We found a sunny lunch stop in the open area at the junction of Fourmile Lake and Canal Roads. The temperature never got above the low 20's, so after skiing further up the Fourmile Lake Road we turned around and had a wonderful glide back.

Fall Color

Butte Falls, Jackson County Oregon

As we eat the wonderfully ripe tomatoes, rake leaves and hike in the fall colors, we are all day-dreaming about the snow flying. It won't be long. At least one long range weather forecast calls for the early part of the winter to be a bit colder and snowier than usual from just after Thanksgiving to around the middle of January. Just click on the Sno-Bulletin link to see the first issue of this season's newsletter.

High Lakes Ski 04.26.08

Six of 10 skiers from the Southern Oregon and Grants Pass Nordic Ski Clubs stop on a play hill off the High Lakes Trail. With the extraordinary amount of snow this year, the few trail markings soon vanished, but pressing on, the enthusiastic group enjoyed a fine exploratory ski as they headed west across numerous lava beds down toward Fish Lake. After hitting the snowmobile trail they skied on to the Fish Lake Resort where they enjoyed the refreshments and camaraderie.

Formal Ski 04.05.08

The snow flew on this Spring day in Southern Oregon. Undaunted, these decked out members of the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon Nordic Ski Clubs enjoyed the 2nd annual Formal Ski on the backside of Mt Ashland. (04.05.08 photo by Karen A. Scott)

Dyar Rock 03.29.08

Pictured above are six of the eight intrepid skiers who shared trail-breaking through 12 inches of snow and made it up to Dyar Rock on the rim of Crater Lake. The weather was sunny, the views were spectacular, and the downhill runs were swift.

South Rye Ski 03.19.08

Pictured above are seven of 10 happy skiers from the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon Nordic Clubs who enjoyed a wonderful ski down the South Rye trail from Summit Sno-Park to Fish Lake. While the new and accumulating snow was rather heavy and soft, the glide was excellent as this well laid-out trail took us through beautiful old growth forest with many quick runs and a few sharp turns.

Silent Creek 03.15.08

Skiers sidestep up a short steep hill on the way to Diamond Lake on a ski along Silent Creek. 15 skiers joined this tour, sharing trail-breaking through 18 inches of new snow.

Sunny Summit Shelter 02.09.08

The snow was crusty, but the skies were clear for this Saturday ski into Summit Shelter. The skiers took a route up Canal to Pitt View and on up Petunia to the shelter. While it was possible to climb down into the shelter, many chose to eat lunch in the beautiful sunshine with a nice view of Mt McLoughlin. The ride back was definitely fast with better control found out of the track on the firm sun-warmed snow.

Breaking Trail 01.30.08

With 20 inches of new snow in the Southern Oregon Cascades, it was difficult finding a place to park for a ski. These skiers from GPNSC and SONC broke trail for for a few hours before some snowmobilers came by and cut a path up the road from Great Meadow to Fourmile Lake Road. It was snowing throughout the ski which was great outdoor exercise. (01.30.08 photo by S. Ferrara)

Sunriver-Mt Bachelor 01.16.08-01.20.08

Five of the 15 skiers that skied from the Mt Bachelor Nordic Center east on the Flagline Trail to Swampy Sno-Park. The Flagline skiers were part of a group of more than two dozen skiers who spent a long weekend in 3 houses at Sunriver. Many of the group skied downhill at Mt Bachelor on Thursday and toured the backcountry on Friday and Saturday. Weather and snow conditions were excellent and the camaraderie was enjoyed by all.