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Nordic Club Members–the hike at Sprague Lake (Upper Columbia Plateau) has been changed. This coming Saturday’s outing will feature two short hikes on the east side of Lake CDA . The first one will be at Beauty Bay picnic area overlook which offers nice views of the lake, Mt. Spokane and surrounding area (one mile round trip). Next we will travel down to Bell Bay Campground past Carlin and Powderhorn Bays. We will leave from the upper campground entrance and walk down to the lake at the lower campground and boat launch area (approximately 3 miles round trip). We will meet at CDA Albertsons by Jack in the Box at 8:00. I’m suggesting a stop at the Carlin Bay Resort (opens this Friday) for lunch/beverage. Back to Albertson’s by 1 to 1:30 and plenty of time to do yard work, clean the house, take a nap, etc. Any questions give Jim a call at 208 755-2575.
New Groomer!
The Board of Panhandle Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Club has voted to purchase a new
groomer (after 5 years of saving money). This new groomer will allow the club to
groom more miles of skiing and skate skiing trails. This was made possible by several large
donations from club members. The Club needs just a few more large donations to totally pay for the groomer. It must be ordered this spring to receive it next fall. We are now a 5013C club so your donation is tax deductible. If you use the area and are able to make a donation towards the new groomer donate via this website, or please send to:
Panhandle Nordic Club
PO Box 1352
Hayden, Idaho 83835 Thank you.
Jim McMillen says:
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.
Snow Holding Up Remarkable Well at Fourth of July Pass
This second and third week of February has been typified by cool, rainy weather in the Coeur d’Alene Area. Unlike the week before, the warmer moister air and some mist has reached up the mountains to Fourth of July Pass. If you have followed the web camera on the pass, bare wet pavement was observed most of the time. However, skiing or snowshoeing the area, which is a hundred to five hundred feet above pass level in most locations, provided a different picture. You only were required to climb up to the top of Loose Moose or less than halfway up Twisted Klister or Skywalker to have a light snow as opposed to mist settle around you. The groomers were out on Friday preparing the inner loop and Elderberry for the coming weekend.
Taking the afternoon off, I skate skied much of the inner loop and then out Skate Away and Skywalker-Moon Runner to the Killarney Mountain Junction. It rained off and on but the snow held up well. On returning to the parking lot down Loose Moose, the newly set track and the groomed skate lane was new and untrammeled. Skiing Saturday off Fernan Saddle, I did not visit Fourth of July, but on returning Sunday morning there was a skiff of new snow on the lot and on the tracks set Friday. After a ski to Killarney Mountain and return via the Eagle Run to Elderberry, I was happy to see Friday’s grooming out to Ian’s Hut. I was happier to see the stove placed there during a short break. With the snow machine track to the benches and the set track from their back to the parking lot, I made the five miles back in full stride and rapid time.
As I skied this well groomed track it was little different in condition from two days prior and two thoughts occurred to me. First, the snow and grooming were in great shape given the weather we have seen in the lowlands, but which was obviously not the weather the snow we had seen on the mountain. Second, it was obvious that few were skiing the area. It is easy to look out your window and see the rain and assume the worst for conditions in the mountains, but if the temperature is in the low to mid-thirties as it was most of the weekend, the higher you go, typically the better the snow you encounter. Maybe you had better things to do last weekend like carbo-load Saturday and run the Langlauf Sunday, but if not and you cancelled for the weather, you missed out on relatively good conditions, albeit a little slow.
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE
Sandpoint Nordic Club Free Nordic Lessons at Schweitzer
Welcome Panhandle Nordic Club Members!
The Sandpoint Nordic Club and Schweitzer are teaming to again offer free beginner / advanced beginner cross country skiing lessons, and equipment if needed, for both classic and skate style on Sunday, January 22nd. Two sessions are offered, Session 1 beginning at 10am sharp (equipment fitting starts at 9) and Session 2 beginning at 1pm sharp (equipment fitting at Noon). Equipment may be reserved by calling Sandpoint Sports (265-6163) between 8am and 5pm with desired Session, boot size, and style (classic, with legs doing “scissor” motion and skate, with ice-skating motion). Classic is advised for first timers. Drivers License and release forms required for rentals and will be processed during fittings period. Minors will need a legal guardian. In fairness to all sponsors and participants, please only reserve equipment if you are 99% committed to attend as boot sizes are limited. Participants will need to drive to the Schweitzer Fire Station area roundabout (near the top Schweitzer Mtn. Resort). Driving from bottom to top, take the first right in the roundabout and enter the parking area. Consider a car pool with friends as space is limited. The Schweitzer Shuttle will NOT make this stop. Lesson terrain is groomed flat and beginner friendly. Drop-ins for unreserved equipment or own equipment for lessons welcome. Winters in Sandpoint can be long. Consider Cross-Country skiing as a fun, fit, and affordable winter activity. Schweitzer offers miles of groomed trails with day and season passes that are reasonably priced. For more information please call the Schweitzer Activity Center at 208-255-3081.
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE – SCHWEITZER NORDIC
COUGAR GULCH RACE
Schweitzer Nordic kicks of the first of the 4 event Selkirk Nordic Series on Saturday, January 21st with the annual Cougar Gulch race. Series point racers will ski a 10k skiers choice (skate or classic) for points with male and female divisions. For Cougar Gulch placing, divisions will be split into 5k or 10k, skate or classic, male or female, and age divisions racing for candy bar first place awards. This is a great event for first time racers or novice skiers with emphasis on having fun and cool sponsor donated prizes will be handed out by random drawing. The only mandatory requirement is a smile at the starting line (no kidding – you can’t start until you smile). Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 at the Hermit’s Hollow Tubing Yurt with mandatory pre-race meeting at 10:15 and start at 10:30. Race fee is $10 plus Nordic event day trail pass of $10 (purchase pass when you register at Yurt). Other Selkirk Series events are Chewelah Peak Challenge on January 28th, Langlauf on February 12th, and Group Health Pursuit on February 18th. For more information on the Cougar Gulch race contact Schweitzer at 208-255-3081 or visit the web site at http://www.Schweitzer.com/mountain/nordic_center
We are planning a hike at 4th of July this coming Thursday (Jan 5, ’12) and I’m wondering about snow conditions as I haven’t been there yet this season.
Do we plan on snowshoes or regular hiking gear or both?
Just going to make an educated guess on this one. From the webcam there is not much snow at the pass level. I’d take both to be safe. I’m sure it would depend on how high you go and the nature of the snow (crusty or soft or heavy etc.)
High boots or gators would be a good idea. Personally if the snow is less than a foot deep, I prefer just to hike in it. If you go you can report back.
I am emailing to let you know that this year’s Protect the Rivers Breakfast will be held at Bardenay Restaurant in Coeur D’ Alene on Friday, October 7th. As a long time member of Idaho Rivers United, I am inviting you to sit at my table, and enjoy a free breakfast and camaraderie and learn a bit about Idaho’s wonderful rivers.
I hope that you will be able to attend this special event that has become an annual favorite of many river lovers.
If you will attend please RSVP to Jessica Hixson by Sept. 30 at jessica@idahorivers.org or 1-800-574-7481 so we can alert the restaurant. Seating is limited.
Thank you so much, and here’s to Idaho’s wild rivers!
I skied 4th of July today, Tuesday April 12. There is quite a bit of snow remaining on the trails. Last week’s snow is still covering most of the old snow, making it pretty and easy to skate on. I had to take my skis off and walk about 200 ft twice on Having Fun and then again on Loose Moose. The High Road is holding snow all the way past the clear cuts. It was bare beyond, I don’t know how far.
I skated up Skate Away and Skywalker (a couple bare stretches) all the way to Rose Creek Saddle and headed up to Elk Mt. until I realized it was softening up and I’d better head back. Fortunately, a Tracked ATV had been out to the saddle and I could skate the center hump to skate downhill on the uphill sections.
Twisted Klister held the most snow. The hut is in fine condition. It withstood yesterdays wind with just a few pulled clips. Unfortunately in crossing the lower gate I fell and gashed my hand. A less than pleasant end to a wonderful day of spring skiing.
Has anyone been x-country skiing or snowshoeing the last week or so? I’m curious about snow conditions for this weekend…Thanks!
Late reply Chris but St Regis Basin was as good as it could possibly get on 3-23. Sunshine, warm temps, tons of snow, some new up high. Lookout area may be skiable through May?
4 July on 3-25 up 614 and out 918. Good spring skiing. No bare spots yet. 24-30 inches in some places. Other spots getting close to bare spots (under trees).
Thanks, Don – late is ok:)
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT – Sea Kayak Adventures, Inc (owned by club members Nancy Mertz & Terry Prichard) are seeking an office manger/sales/reservations/phones/computer/writing/efficiency expert wizard to help us here in our small sales office in downtown Coeur d Alene, fulltime, with benefits, salary commensurate with experience. Travel/love of nature/tourism background and college degree ideal. Contact Nancy Mertz by submitting resume to nancy@seakayakadventures.com
http://www.seakayakadventures.com
I heard from Van Bennett this afternoon concerning the Fourth of July Area. It has recieved 5 to 9 inches of snow depending on where you are on the inner cicuit from this last set of storms. He groomed the area today for both classic nordic and skate skiing. It appears it is picking up some snow tonight again.
It was shared that an attorney whose name may ring a bell insists on walking his dog and himself over the groomed trails. His argument is that there is no law against it. True enough on the books, but there are certain social laws about looking out for interests other than your own. If you are looking for legal advice, you might seek out one that can read signs, cares about others and is attentive enough to read the kiosk and see there are places designated for dogs on the area.
It is too bad you didn’t post his name. He could learn that in these days of Facebook and automatic information, there are consequences for behaving badly that can be more serious than legal consequences.
Hey Everyone,
This is my first time to the site and noticed that you will have this Saturday to show up for events. I also noticed that i see no one with snowshoe. I do not use Nordic yet but have snow shoe. Your club say snowshoe. Dont want to show up and if snow shoe slow you guys down? Looking at all your photo album and notice no one use snow shoe. Nordic look like fun but not familiar with them. I just moved up here from Texas and would love to explore the area. Guys have something against snow shoeing? Let me know so I can make plan and have fun.
Thanks
Have a fun snow day.
Hi Jerry, Welcome to the area.
If you explore the website further, our February 1, meeting was all about snowshoes. We have our fund raiser coming up Jan 5, see “Latest News” for details. It is a good way to meet club members.
Some members only snowshoe, some only x-c ski. Many (probably most) do both. Not all trips – like last Sunday’s 8 mile one way down the railroad grade from Lookout to Hale – would be an event for snow shoers. But the Rock Soup on Saturday was. as is the two upcoming events (see the post under “Latest News”.
More common is the trip is that many members have become friends and will meet with others to go skiing or snow shoeing or hiking or walking or biking on outings that are not club events.
In fact many have vacationed together including to far away places like China, Europe and South America in groups made mostly up of club members – These were not club trips, but many of the friendships were formed in the club.
If you look on the Fourth of July area maps, you will see snowshoe trails.
If you look on the slide show on the Home page, the last two slides are of a shelter put up primarily for snow shoers. It is meant to be taken down in the spring to minimize Vandalism.
Hope to see you Saturday.
Hilma Volk, Webmaster
Forwarded from Geoff Harvey:
Over the weekend I covered a few locations and various elevations. The report from the Inner Core at Fourth of July is not good, but not as bad as one might expect given all the rain. The swoop and area up by Peaceful View were left pretty threadbare by the rains of last week and then that little outrage on Friday afternoon. To add to this problems a four wheeler decided to drive in skateaway and the high road to Peaceful view leaving these runs a rutted mess. The groomers did their best on it, but it will take some accumulation of snow to make it right.
On the other hand, the ski up Skywalker from Skateway to Twisted Klister and beyond is great. The four wheeler turned into the area and did not proceed above Skateway. I skied Makin Tracks and New Shoe, soon to be Joe’s Trail to the Snowshoe Hut and then back up Twisted Klister finding good snow and coverage all the way. So if skiing at Fourth of July this week or before a good snow, I suggest getting up high as quick as possible to find the good snow.
I skied off Fernan Summit this morning up onto Huckleberry Mountain. One has to dodge snow machines to do this. The best bet is to go early and when and if you hear them coming step aside until they pass. After all the groomed area up there is done on their dime. Out in the bush above 4,000 feet, the elevation of Fernan Summit, there is over four feet of snow little affected by the rains of last week. It is untracked off the beaten path. This says to me go up to Lookout Pass or anywhere you can over 4,000 feet and you will find great snow.
Hopefully the sky will bless us above 3,000 feet with snow this week and we can improve the coverage at Fourth of July.
Geoff Harvey.
Webmaster’s note: find Maps in the Map Section for the Fourth of July area if confused.
Mount Spokane ski conditions 1/19/11: The latest meltdown was not replaced with much usable snow. Trails today were only groomed to Junction 2, Silver was treacherous but Shady way, Shadow Mountain and Lodgepole were okay. the sunshine and temps were great!
Thanks to everyone who sent photos. It may be a while before this new version is ready to go.