Lollipop Loop, Fish Lake 12.26.09

A few of the nineteen skiers from the Southern Oregon Nordic Club and the Grants Pass Nordic Ski Club who joined up for a clockwise ski around the Lollipop Loop. Five inches of fluff, blue skies and great views of Mt. Pitt made for a fine ski in the Oregon Cascades.

Billie Creek Ski 12.23.09

Eighteen backcountry skiers from the Southern Oregon and Grants Pass Nordic Clubs met at the Fourmile Lake Sno-Park on Highway 140 and skied up the west side of Billie Creek. The skies were clear, the 4-6 inches of new snow powdery and the deep woods was a veritable winter wonderland. After a lunch stop at the snowmobile road, the group divided into two. Some returned via the wide road and others took advantage of the broken trail and skied back through the woods the way they came. Everyone enjoyed a great pre-Christmas ski in the Cascades.

Diamond Lake Ski 12.05.09

A dozen of the 18 skiers from GPNSC and SONC who reveled in the snow, sun and great views at Diamond Lake. While the snowmobile roads were hard and crusty, the south shore meadows had softer snow and were fun to explore.

Billie Creek Ski 11.28.09

Four GPNSC skiers on their first outing. A glorious day of snow, sun, cool air and fellowship. (photo by S. Romney)

Sunday at Crater Lake

Two of seven southern Oregon backcountry skiers who enjoyed the snow, sun and views at Crater Lake today. Skiing on the west Rim drive, the crew spent an enjoyable day on the new snow. 

Fall Picnic 09.27.09

Two long-time members of the GPNSC hosted a fun get together and potluck at their home in the hills of Southern Oregon. Members of both the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon Nordic Clubs attended. The food and fellowship were great, stories were swapped and a number of folks hiked along the creek while others relaxed on the porch. Some members could be overheard wondering what kind of snow season is in store for us.

Trail Work Party, 06.20.09

After consultation with the Forest Service, a trail work day was organized for the trails in the area around Mt. McLoughlin. A baker's dozen showed up to get the work done and enjoy a beautiful day in the mountains.

After a short orientation meeting at the Summit Sno-Park, the group divided into 3 or 4 work parties. We cleared the upper McLoughlin Trail, Billie Creek and Lollipop. We were sure happy to have 3 certified sawyers with chain saws; especially, as West Billie had a number of huge logs to clear. Meeting for lunch at the bottom of Billie Creek we were graced by a lengthy visit from a male Western Tanager.

The work went smoothly and safely and the group assembled at the Fish Lake Resort for food and fellowship afterward. In spite of the Father's Day Fishing Tournament, there was plenty of room for our crew. Our hostess Debbie stated that she was happy to see our cross country ski group in the summer.

High Lakes Ski 02.21.09

Pictured above are three of 10 skiers who skied a nine mile run from the Great Meadow, generally following the High Lakes bike trail, up and down to Fish Lake. Two additional skiers helped shuttle cars and stuck to the gentler terrain around the two lakes. In this photo you can see dark clouds to the west of Mt McLoughlin potentially indicating a coming change in the weather. Mild temperatures and partly cloudy skies accompanied the skiers as they passed by Boy Scouts practicing first aid and sled rescues between Lake of the Woods and the McLoughlin Scout Camp. After the ski, the group enjoyed curly fries and drinks at the always friendly Fish Lake Resort.

Summit Ski 02.18.09

GPNSC skiers gather after a 6 mile ski from Summit Sno-Park up Canal and Big Mac trails to the Summit Shelter. After a snack in the sun, the troop headed down Petunia and Pitt View trails to the Powerline trail. They enjoyed playing on the hills along the way and everyone appreciated the mild weather, great snow conditions and chance to be skiing in the Cascades.

Brown Mountain Exploratory 02.14.09

Pictured above are about half of the 27 skiers who completed the Brown Mountain ski. Starting at a punchout off Dead Indian Memorial Road south of Lake of the Woods, the group climbed on a National Forest road through beautiful snow-covered forests taking turns breaking trail in 12 inches of powder. The new snow made for a slower pace and plenty of time to chat.

Following the couple mile climb, they joined a trail groomed by snowmobilers and glided gently down toward Hwy 140, then took a left on the High Lakes Trail, skiing around lava flows and through some old growth. After hitting a snowmobile road, the hardy band headed west along 140 back to Summit Sno-park, getting some good views of Brown Mountain. The total ski was about 9 miles and even the newer skiers exhibited their stamina and fortitude up and down some steep hills and in the final half mile slog along the noisy road.

Silent Creek Ski, 02.07.09

Seven of sixteen GPNSC skiers near the shore of Diamond Lake in the Oregon Cascades. Mount Thielsen, looking like some otherwordly stronghold from the Lord of the Rings, is in the background. They skied down one side and up the other of Silent Creek, a quiet, meandering stream filled with bright pebbles that sparkle like gems in the sun. The clear skies and mild temperatures made for a wonderful outing on the six mile ski tour.

The Chili Run Ice Capades 01.31.09

Icy and fast, but fun was the verdict from the 12 skiers who attended the Chili Run. Blue skies and temps in the 20's and 30's made for some good views and pleasant weather. Three skiers skied into the shelter early to get the fire going and start the chili. As each skier arrived at the shelter, they added their can of chili to the pot. Then all enjoyed the hot lunch before heading down the icy snowmobile road. Snowplowing was possible, but a few skiers elected to walk down "Suicide Hill".

Mt Ashland 01.28.09

It was an icy day on the mountain, but undeterred, these skiers from GPNSC and SONC climbed up the groomed access road to the top of Mt Ashland. Another group practiced technique on the lower portion of the road. Skies were clear, the sun was warm and the views were spectacular.

The peak was windy and cold, so after taking a few snapshots, they slid down to a protected south side spot for lunch. The ride down was exhilarating and the freshly groomed road provided all the speed you wanted, but enough good grip and control for turns so you could maintain a safe speed.

Burton Butte Ski 01.21.09

Starting at 11:15 AM was a good call for these skiers who went up Burton Butte in the southern Oregon Cascades. The weather was mild and the snow pack softened up in the open areas and on the forest roads. The photographer really got these 5 to laugh.

Lollipop, Fish Lake 01.17.09

These GPNSC skiers enjoyed a sunny day up at Fish Lake. While the snow conditions in the shade were icy, everyone took their time, stayed in control and appreciated the gentle but quick downhill glides.

Pitt View Trail 01.14.09

(01.14.09 photo by J. Goodman)

While the valleys were shrouded in fog, these southern Oregon skiers headed to the mountains for their doses of Vitamin D. This picture was taken on the Pitt View Trail. Mt McLoughlin, in the background, was formally known as Mt Pitt. While there were some icy areas directly under big trees, these were easily avoided by going off trail. All the snow in areas with about 12 feet of space between trees was great, an inch of granular snow over a firm base. They skied to the Summit Shelter and then skied down Pitt View to the Lower Petunia Trail. What fun.

Burton Flat Ski 01.10.09

This happy new GPNSC skier was caught enjoying a sunny day at about 5500 feet in the Southern Oregon Cascades. With a group of about 20, she was on her way back on a tour of about eight miles. While the day started out with temps in the high teens and an inch of new snow, by 2 PM, when this picture was taken, it was in the mid forties, but the glide back was great.

Summit Ski 01.03.09

Skiers prepare to head for Summit Shelter via the
Canal and McLoughlin Trails

14 skiers took the Canal-McLoughlin route and 8 skiers skied Petunia; meeting for lunch at Summit Shelter. Another group of eight gathered for lessons at the Petunia plantation area. Bright sunshine, a firm base with 2 inches of new powder and temperatures reaching 24 degrees made for a wonderful day in the Cascades.