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February 29, 2012 at

This Sat., March 2nd I’m proposing a trip to 4th of July to do the 10 mile Loop. This would include going up 614 (Skywalker) or skiing from the parking lot and going up Havin’ Fun to the ‘Y’ intersection up Loose Moose to Skateaway to 614 and heading up to Eagle Run and over to Ian’s Hut. To be determined by participant consensus which route we will take. This would include walking downhill about 1/3 of a mile to Ian’s Hut–not that difficult. After a snack at Ian’s Hut or picnic shelter we would continue on Elderberry return to the parking lot going by the picnic shelter along High Road, Loose Moose, Havin’ Fun past the A Frame and to the parking lot. Would need to have intermediate skiing skills. Probably would take around 3 1/2 to 4 hours depending on how long we stop to take breaks. Let’s meet at Albertson’s Parking Lot by 8:30 and head up to 4th of July to arrive at 9:00. Any questions call or email Jim 755-2575, jimmccda@gmail.com.

For a number of years our groomers at the Fourth Of July Park N Ski Area have created a central skate ski lane along the Having Fun, Swoop, High Road Elderberry, and Skate Away Runs. The traditional Nordic track has been placed at the edge on one or both sides of these runs. Locations along these runs are narrow in places and curves often cause the track setter to wander out into the skate lane. The result is limited skating in tight locations and the 11.4 kilometers available was not sufficient. This year for the first time, the Nordic Club has an agreement with the U. S. Forest Service that allows the Nordic club to close Forest Service Road 614 near its base while the road is being groomed for skate skiing for 6.8 kilometers (4.25 miles) out to Rose Creek Saddle. The new route is typically groomed Wednesday or Thursday to put it in good shape for the weekend, weather permitting.
Although the snow was late coming this year, our trail groomers closed the gate in mid-January and began grooming out to Rose Creek Saddle. In the future, the club hopes to expedite access to this route, but currently skaters can use a route from the parking lot around Having Fun, the Swoop, along the High Road and Skate Away to Skywalker (FSR 614). From this point it is 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) to Rose Creek Saddle, 11.2 kilometers round trip. Another 1.2 kilometers (three quarters mile) of Skywalker is groomed down to the lower Twisted Klister Junction. The route provides a 15.2 kilometers (30 kilometers round trip) skate with this new addition. The distance does not count the 3 kilometer run out Elderberry.
The Twisted Klister system to the east of Skywalker is dedicated to and receives a lot of snowshoe and skiers with dogs use. This use spills onto Skywalker as an alternate route out or back. Fortunately this is a main forest road and is quite broad. Signs have been posted asking snowshoe and skiers with dogs to remain to the side and out of the skate lane. Hopefully this will be effective. In actual fact, the upper end of Twisted Klister or the Makin Tracks terminus is about at the endurance level of most snowshoers. Beyond this point few currently venture far out towards Rose Creek Saddle.
In the future, the club hopes to replace the trail between Elderberry Run and Eagle Run to support skating. This addition will provide a loop that accesses the Skywalker and Skate Away Routes by another route. In the interim, come out and enjoy the expanded skate opportunity at Fourth of July.