Burton Butte 01.15.14

Nine skiers from GPNSC and the Southern Oregon Nordic Club had a beautiful ski up to Burton Butte. A light, softening crust and 8-10 inches of snow provided an adequate base as the skiers climbed. The day was sunny, with a few unseasonably warm southern breezes. Views from the top of fog cover over Klamath Lake and a clear view of Buck Lake were a pleasant backdrop to lunch. The ride down was fast and fun.

High Lakes Trail 01.12.13

Eighteen skiers from GPNSC met at Fish Lake, arranged a shuttle and drove up to the Fourmile Lake Road Sno-park to ski back down to Fish Lake. The temperature was 5 degrees F when they began and the snow was very dry powder. The crew wound their way through deep woods, across snow-covered lava fields and downhill through the woods, crossing the PCT. The sun was bright early, but it stayed cold. They generally followed the bike path the 8 miles to Fish Lake, then got together with the skiers who had shuttled and skied Lollipop Loop for snacks at the Fish Lake Resort Cafe.

Volcano Express Ski 02.25.12/Billie Creek Ski 02.26.12

About 13 skiers braved the elements, but welcomed the new 8" snowfall to ski about 9 miles from Pederson to Clover Creek (thanks to a few leaders with GPS and breaking trail). There was a lot of hootin' and hollerin' through the trees as the snow continued to fall throughout the day. Cheeks were rosy and grins from ear to ear. Some even wanted more!!!! Another group skied to Snow Summit Shelter where conditions were just as phenomenal. This all followed a welcoming get together at the cabins then some more apres ski after Volcano Express.

Billie Creek was another glorious day with 15 skiers enjoying the fresh powder and sunshine.

Henry Mountain Ski 02.18.12

More than twenty backcountry skiers completed a 9 mile tour from the Buck Prairie Sno-Park across Henry Mountain to Campers Cove. Weather conditions were mixed with snowfall, clouds and some sunshine on the plateau. Snow conditions were excellent for the first 4/5 of the tour, but the last couple of miles lacked a firm base making for a challenging end to the tour. The enjoyment quotient was high with expressions of wonder at the higher elevations and with plenty of laughter at the end. Socializing at the Campers Cove Restaurant continued while the shuttle ran to bring back the vehicles.

High Lakes Trail 01.21.12

Thirteen intrepid skiers from the two Rogue Valley Nordic Clubs skied eight miles from Lake of the Woods to Fish Lake. Though it had rained the previous day, temperatures had dropped and they were greeted by 3-5 inches of new powder. It was lightly snowing throughout much of the tour, but the group made great time and got to Fish Lake Resort in the early afternoon. They were warmly greeted at the restaurant (open weekends) and enjoyed the warmth, food and camaraderie.

Crater Lake 12.31.11

 

A baker's dozen skiers from the Valley of the Rogue in Southern Oregon enjoyed spectacular views on the West Rim Drive at Crater Lake. The 3-4 inches of new powder was crisp at 10:30 AM with 18 degrees and stayed dry throughout the day. Bright clear skies gave us wide vistas and except for a few windblown icy patches in the gaps, the snow was great. The meadows below the rim road provided an excellent place for some downhill turning practice. Wizard Island peeks out in the background of this group at the Watchman Overlook.

Billie Creek 03.16.11

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Twelve skiers from the Rogue Valley took advantage of last night's snowfall in the Cascades to ski Billie Creek. The camaraderie and conversation were great as we headed up the east side of Billie Creek and later down the west side. A variety of weather and snow conditions greeted our group. We encountered slightly heavy snow to start and lighter powder as we climbed. Skies varied from a bit of blue to cloudy and dark with heavy snow starting at the lunch stop for about half an hour in the middle of the tour and graupel near the end. Trail breaking was easy and the run downhill was fast and roly poly due to the melting of the past week.

Mt Ashland 03.09.11

What a fine late winter day on Mt Ashland. We climbed up a ridge overlooking Grouse Gap then traversed down into the Gap and toured the Grouse Gap Loop. As you can see, the views were spectacular. The snow was soft on the sunny slopes and quick on the shady parts of the trail.

Volcano Express, Burton Butte 02.26.11

Smiles were in abundance as 35 skiers from the GPNSC and SONC toured the Volcano Express around Burton Butte. Thanks to intrepid trail-breaking by an early arriving SONC crew and GPS skills of our SONC tour leader, all the skiers enjoyed a wonderful outing. The snow conditions were excellent with the foot of new powder making the downhill run through the trees maneuverable and fun for all. About 3/4 of the skiers went up to the meadow near the top of Burton Butte and had a sunny lunch with views of Mt Shasta, Mountain Lakes Wilderness and Buck Lake.

McLoughlin Trail 02.23.11

Ten skiers from the SONC and GPNSC skied the McLoughlin Trail in excellent conditions. With a firm base and 6 inches of new snow the crew had a great time heading up the Canal Trail and then down McLoughlin through the old growth. A highlight of the tour occurred on the McLoughlin Trail about halfway to the Summit Shelter. In the midst of chatting about seeing wildlife in the backcountry and remarking on the profusion of fresh rabbit tracks, we saw two rabbits: a big one and a little one.

Then we spied a weasel chasing the smaller rabbit round and round, The big rabbit tried to lead the weasel away, but the chase continued even as we reluctantly decided to ski on. What a true life adventure. Next, we were happily greeted at the shelter by Ranger Paul, who had already warmed the place up with a fire in the wood stove. What a lucky day!

Lollipop Loop 02.16.11

Seventeen skiers from the Rogue and Illinois Valleys took advantage of the lowered snow levels and recent snowfall to spend an enjoyable day at Fish Lake skiing the Lollipop Loop. The eight inches of new snow provided many of the crew turns at trail-breaking. Light flurries, some blue sky and occasional outbreaks of sun added to the nordic magic.

Burton FLat Ski 02.12.11

What a great spring ski day up at Pederson Sno-Park. Ten skiers showed up to take advantage of the corn snow and gentle rolling terrain on the south side of Pederson. The more open tree plantations, wider trails and corn snow provided a quick glide. Icy conditions were avoided early in the day by staying in the sunny areas. Most of the crew skied about 8 miles in the Burton Flats area for an enjoyable day in the Cascades under bright blue skies.

Happy New Year 01.01.11

Cold temperatures and new powder greeted two groups of skiers from GPNSC and SONC as they skied the West Billie Creek Trail on New Year's Day. Thanks to some heroic trail-breaking on New Year's Eve from a cohort of 5 skiers, some of whom spent the weekend at the Lake of the Woods Resort, there was only about 3-4 inches of new powder for the larger group who started from the LOW Marina to get through as they skied up West Billie Creek. Another group parked at the Fourmile punch-out and went up the Fourmile Lake Road and then down West Billie. Great glide and good control made for a fine ski, but the fresh snow depth made it necessary to stay in the track. What a wonderful way to start the new year. If you've not skied the trail system north of Hwy140 from the Summit and Fourmile Sno-parks you owe yourself the treat!

Pederson to Deadwood Ski 12.22.10

Like someone said, the best ski ever... is the one you're on. Thirteen intrepid skiers from GPNSC and SONC drove up to Pederson Sno-Park and started out on the west side of Glasgow Loop. They then skied westward gently downhill through old growth, climbed across plantations, skied down along logging roads and beside an irrigation canal through 6 inches of heavy snow. Everyone had many chances to break trail and enjoy the glide of a firm track.The weather goddess cooperated: mild temperature, no precipitation, mixed skies of dark and light clouds, a bit of blue sky and some sun during lunch.

Christmas Party and Ski 12.18.10

Over 30 people from GPNSC and SONC showed up for skiing and a party at the Lake of the Woods. About 19 skiers skied a tour from the Marina through the cabins and Aspen Point Campground down to the junction with the Fourmile Lake Road. After carefully crossing Hwy 140, the group headed up the road on 3 inches of new snow and took a right for the Billie Creek trail. Taking the west side, we climbed through a few miles of woods including some nice old growth before heading back down on a fast glide through the woods. We were really moving, as fast as you wanted. A thank you goes out to one of Santa's elves who brought along a saw and trimmed a few snow-bent trees to make the downhill run safer and more fun.

Back at LOW there were ski lessons for beginners and a short tour enjoyed by over 10 skiers The party was great with pizza, hors d'oeuvres, snacks and treats galore. The traditional "ski-related white elephant" gift exchange was uproarious and even included a real white elephant ... on skis! Thank you to all who participated, volunteer leaders, set up crew and to the LOW Resort staff for the venue and decorations.

Mt Ashland Ski 12.08.10

Arriving at the Mt Ashland Lodge before the road was plowed, the group elected to ski from there. As the weather service predicted, it was blustery and snowing hard with whiteout conditions. After turning around about 2 miles from the Lodge, a brief break in the whiteout allowed this photo of the skiers on the back side of Mt Ashland. With the wind a blowin' at their backs, the skiers had a beautiful glide back down to the parking area. As the temperature had warmed a bit and it was sleeting, we then headed back to Ashland for coffee and conversation at the Apple Cellar. It was sure fun to get out.

Page Mountain Ski 12.01.10

Four skiers braved the rain on Wednesday, Dec. 1 to enjoy a nature-filled ski day at Page Mt. snowpark. We saw a juvenile bald eagle sitting in the top of a snag on the drive up. We skied to the top of the mountain, following bear tracks most of the way. At a trail juncture the bear went left and we went on up to the top. On the way down we decided to track the bear further and followed its tracks for another half mile or so until they went over a steep embankment. We left it to our imagination that the bear was holed up down there. We also saw some type of cat tracks (bobcat perhaps) and lots a rabbit tracks. Even though it rained on us most of the day the snow was still decent and we had a great time.


Ann

Fourmile Lake Road/McLoughlin Ski 11.27.10

These skiers are 1/4 of the two dozen skiers from the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon Nordic Clubs whose smiles are testament to the wonderful early snow conditions in the Southern Oregon Cascades.  Following a lunch stop at the Summit Shelter, the group divided into two crews: one returned on the Big Mac Trail as we had come up, the other crew headed north up the McLoughlin Trail for a loop of another couple of miles. Great fun for all.

Turkey Trot 11.24.10

Eight skiers from the Grants Pass and Southern Oregon Nordic Ski Clubs broke trail through 20 inches of fresh powder up the Fourmile Lake Road and Big Mac trail to the Summit Shelter. Cold temps, blue skies, a few snow flurries and great conversation made for a wonderful day on the snow. We didn't spot any turkeys, but saw elk and rabbit tracks galore.

Page Mountain 11.13.10

Seven GPNSC members did some needed trail maintenance on Page Mountain yesterday. Working for more than three hours, they got 'er done before some rain set in. The crew cleared brush on a link between two roads and put up some blue diamonds to mark the way to the top of the mount. Now, we are awaiting the first big snow.