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LeelanAu Trail - XC Ski & Parallel Fat Bike Trail
Report: Leelanau Trail 2023/2024 Grooming Report # 11
Date: February 18, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM
NWS Forecast here
Trail Reports available here
Some Snow So Entire Trail Rolled w/ Skirt - The Sun is Out so Go & Enjoy
North Section
Pete rolled this morning Suttons Bay to Shady Lane. Just enough snow. Poles will hit asphalt though since little base.
South Section
Thad rolled yesterday afternoon with skirt from Shady Lane to DeYoung. Good conditions as well.
Parallel Trail
Chad hopes to groom this afternoon. Trail has been used already.
Shady Lane Vineyard
No Report
Snow Joke of the Day
What do you call a slow skier? A slopepoke!
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Report: Leelanau Trail 2023/2024 Grooming Report # 10
Date: January 23, 2024
Time: 1:30 PM
Starting to Thaw - Don't forget a glider wax!
North Section
Last groomed Sunday. Pete skied yesterday afternoon Fort to Shady in good shape. Just a dusting of snow so left the tracks into Suttons Bay.
South Section
Jeff Z got out this morning and groomed with the Ginzu.
Shady Lane
Andy was out grooming this afternoon with the Ginzu. Due to the forecasted weather (warm and possible rain) he is closing the vineyard groomed trails on Wednesday and Thursday in hopes of preserving the trails for Friday through Sunday. Snowshoers can forge their own trails everywhere else.
Parallel Trail – No new report
The Snow Joke of the Day:
Knock, Knock
Who’s there?
Frostbite
Frostbite who?
Frostbite your food before you chew it!
Date: February 18, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM
NWS Forecast here
Trail Reports available here
Some Snow So Entire Trail Rolled w/ Skirt - The Sun is Out so Go & Enjoy
North Section
Pete rolled this morning Suttons Bay to Shady Lane. Just enough snow. Poles will hit asphalt though since little base.
South Section
Thad rolled yesterday afternoon with skirt from Shady Lane to DeYoung. Good conditions as well.
Parallel Trail
Chad hopes to groom this afternoon. Trail has been used already.
Shady Lane Vineyard
No Report
Snow Joke of the Day
What do you call a slow skier? A slopepoke!
--------------------------
Report: Leelanau Trail 2023/2024 Grooming Report # 10
Date: January 23, 2024
Time: 1:30 PM
Starting to Thaw - Don't forget a glider wax!
North Section
Last groomed Sunday. Pete skied yesterday afternoon Fort to Shady in good shape. Just a dusting of snow so left the tracks into Suttons Bay.
South Section
Jeff Z got out this morning and groomed with the Ginzu.
Shady Lane
Andy was out grooming this afternoon with the Ginzu. Due to the forecasted weather (warm and possible rain) he is closing the vineyard groomed trails on Wednesday and Thursday in hopes of preserving the trails for Friday through Sunday. Snowshoers can forge their own trails everywhere else.
Parallel Trail – No new report
The Snow Joke of the Day:
Knock, Knock
Who’s there?
Frostbite
Frostbite who?
Frostbite your food before you chew it!
45 North Fat Bike and Nordic Trail
NortHport Leelanau State Park Fat Bike/Nordic Trail
Our Lone Wolf Will Harper has been hard at work in Northport braving old growth forest with blowdowns to provide A- trail conditions there. You can put together a nice 9.5 mile super fun loop there so get up there and try it.
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and Palmer Woods
February 17, 2024
Summary:
We got a little fresh snow last night - but only about 1" on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. About 2-3" at Palmer Woods.
Not enough fresh snow to get the groomer out on the Heritage Trail.
Backcountry trails are about the same. We're hoping for more snow, but it's not looking good.
Don't forget the Candlelight Hike tonight - starts at the Dune Climb. It's a 1 mile loop - easy walk. There will be 5 educational stops along the hike staffed by park rangers. Come anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, but it's best after dark, when you can really see the candles better!
Dune Climb Sledding:
The Dune Climb is excellent for sledding. Several families are sledding today.
Backcountry ski and hiking trails (Shauger Hill, Pierce Stocking Drive Ski Trail, Windy Moraine, Alligator Hill)
Excellent backcountry skiing. Not groomed.
Popular Hiking Trails (Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point):
Beware of slippery conditions hiking on these trails. Bring Yak Tracks or micro-spikes.
If you are snowshoeing or walking on groomed trails, PLEASE stay in the middle of the trail and OFF THE CLASSIC SKI TRACKS! Thank you!
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January 20, 2024
Summary:
We got a crazy amount of fresh snow last night and today. We had over a foot of fresh light powder. We got the groomer stuck today and when I stepped out of the gator, the snow was up to my waist! Because of the light, cold snow, the groomed snow is a little soft. Also, we were getting a lot of fresh snow while we were grooming, so we couldn't see the tracks on our way back to the garage!
We plan to groom again tomorrow (Sunday)
The groomed trail is good for classic skiing - not firm enough for skate skiing right now - but maybe in a day or two...
The Palmer Woods groomer crew has been busy too, and conditions there are also excellent.
The groomer crew is planning to work Sunday from Glen Arbor to Empire.
Heritage Trail:
Soft base with fresh powder on top. Great for snowshoeing or classic skiing.
The north section of trail from Glen Arbor to Bohemian Road is not groomed, but it is perfect for backcountry skiing. Cut your own tracks.
Palmer Woods:
Excellent conditions - groomed with classic tracks.
Dune Climb Sledding:
The Dune Climb is excellent for sledding. Several families were sledding today.
Backcountry ski and hiking trails (Shauger Hill, Pierce Stocking Drive Ski Trail, Windy Moraine, Alligator Hill)
Excellent backcountry skiing. Not groomed, but plenty of snow everywhere.
Popular Hiking Trails (Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point):
Lots of fresh snow! These trails are good for snowshoeing.
If you are snowshoeing or walking on groomed trails, PLEASE stay in the middle of the trail and OFF THE CLASSIC SKI TRACKS! Thank you!
Summary:
We got a little fresh snow last night - but only about 1" on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. About 2-3" at Palmer Woods.
Not enough fresh snow to get the groomer out on the Heritage Trail.
Backcountry trails are about the same. We're hoping for more snow, but it's not looking good.
Don't forget the Candlelight Hike tonight - starts at the Dune Climb. It's a 1 mile loop - easy walk. There will be 5 educational stops along the hike staffed by park rangers. Come anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, but it's best after dark, when you can really see the candles better!
Dune Climb Sledding:
The Dune Climb is excellent for sledding. Several families are sledding today.
Backcountry ski and hiking trails (Shauger Hill, Pierce Stocking Drive Ski Trail, Windy Moraine, Alligator Hill)
Excellent backcountry skiing. Not groomed.
Popular Hiking Trails (Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point):
Beware of slippery conditions hiking on these trails. Bring Yak Tracks or micro-spikes.
If you are snowshoeing or walking on groomed trails, PLEASE stay in the middle of the trail and OFF THE CLASSIC SKI TRACKS! Thank you!
------------
January 20, 2024
Summary:
We got a crazy amount of fresh snow last night and today. We had over a foot of fresh light powder. We got the groomer stuck today and when I stepped out of the gator, the snow was up to my waist! Because of the light, cold snow, the groomed snow is a little soft. Also, we were getting a lot of fresh snow while we were grooming, so we couldn't see the tracks on our way back to the garage!
We plan to groom again tomorrow (Sunday)
The groomed trail is good for classic skiing - not firm enough for skate skiing right now - but maybe in a day or two...
The Palmer Woods groomer crew has been busy too, and conditions there are also excellent.
The groomer crew is planning to work Sunday from Glen Arbor to Empire.
Heritage Trail:
Soft base with fresh powder on top. Great for snowshoeing or classic skiing.
The north section of trail from Glen Arbor to Bohemian Road is not groomed, but it is perfect for backcountry skiing. Cut your own tracks.
Palmer Woods:
Excellent conditions - groomed with classic tracks.
Dune Climb Sledding:
The Dune Climb is excellent for sledding. Several families were sledding today.
Backcountry ski and hiking trails (Shauger Hill, Pierce Stocking Drive Ski Trail, Windy Moraine, Alligator Hill)
Excellent backcountry skiing. Not groomed, but plenty of snow everywhere.
Popular Hiking Trails (Empire Bluffs, Pyramid Point):
Lots of fresh snow! These trails are good for snowshoeing.
If you are snowshoeing or walking on groomed trails, PLEASE stay in the middle of the trail and OFF THE CLASSIC SKI TRACKS! Thank you!
TRAVERSE CITY VASA SINGLE TRACK
Date: 2/15/2024
Time: 6:35p
NWS Forecast here.
Traverse City
Kurt and I went out today and inspected the trail system, here are our findings. We received 1-3" of fresh snow on the trails today with a temperature right about freezing.
We really need about a total of 6" of snow to do a first groom. Yes we lost almost all our base.
The snow is wet and packs down to about 1/4-1/2" when ridden on. We would not be able to fill the trailbed groove and would also dig into the edges with our 24-30" grooming equipment.
We will continue to monitor the situation and groom if we get another few inches of snow.
The trails are rideable and the bikes will pack them in well. All summer trails are open. Winter Only Trails are all closed these include, Yeti's Revenge, Skyline and the winter sections on the Strombolis Loop. Per our grooming permit there must be 6" of snow to groom these and there can be no signs of use come spring.
--------------------
Date: 1/31/24
Time: 7:40am
Traverse City
We have about two inches of base left on the trails currently. It is textured ice under the snow. The outlook for the next week is dismal for winter sports with temperatures above freezing during the day and no snow in the forecast. For now you can ride all the summer trail sections.
Please do not ride Yeti's Revenge, Skyline, Strombolis or any other part of a trail that is not used in the summer. We have an obligation to the DNR to keep these areas unaltered.
If we get down to dirt on the summer trails we will assess if we need to ask riders to stay off to avoid damage. For now ride what you can.
Time: 6:35p
NWS Forecast here.
Traverse City
Kurt and I went out today and inspected the trail system, here are our findings. We received 1-3" of fresh snow on the trails today with a temperature right about freezing.
We really need about a total of 6" of snow to do a first groom. Yes we lost almost all our base.
The snow is wet and packs down to about 1/4-1/2" when ridden on. We would not be able to fill the trailbed groove and would also dig into the edges with our 24-30" grooming equipment.
We will continue to monitor the situation and groom if we get another few inches of snow.
The trails are rideable and the bikes will pack them in well. All summer trails are open. Winter Only Trails are all closed these include, Yeti's Revenge, Skyline and the winter sections on the Strombolis Loop. Per our grooming permit there must be 6" of snow to groom these and there can be no signs of use come spring.
--------------------
Date: 1/31/24
Time: 7:40am
Traverse City
We have about two inches of base left on the trails currently. It is textured ice under the snow. The outlook for the next week is dismal for winter sports with temperatures above freezing during the day and no snow in the forecast. For now you can ride all the summer trail sections.
Please do not ride Yeti's Revenge, Skyline, Strombolis or any other part of a trail that is not used in the summer. We have an obligation to the DNR to keep these areas unaltered.
If we get down to dirt on the summer trails we will assess if we need to ask riders to stay off to avoid damage. For now ride what you can.
