Monday 7 March 2016

Monday, March 7 - I think this is the end

We had a very good weekend on the trails. The conditions on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the early part of Sunday were possibly the best we've had all season.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Looking at the weather forecast for the week ahead, I'm sure all our snow will soon be gone. It is unlikely we will see a return to skiable conditions before next winter.
I want to thank all of you who came and skied and enjoyed the trails; seeing happy skiers is what makes it all worthwhile. Thanks to those who have made comments, and to those who left a contribution in the donation box.
I am already working on a number of improvements for next year. Among them are:
  •  a new entrance trail from the parking lot at the south end, eliminating the problem of hikers trampling the ski trail
  • an extension of the trails at the north end, adding about 750 m of new trail
  • widening of the Mainline trail in the southern area, east of Tamarack, so that it will be groomable
Also, the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club is working with the Town of Mono to expand the parking area and put a proper surface on the entire parking lot. That should be done before next winter. Hopefully, next winter will have more snow and more consistent below-freezing temperatures so that we can build a snow base and keep it for the season.

5 comments:

  1. I skied the trails for the first time yesterday morning. You have done a wonderful job of grooming and maintaining these trails. Thank You!

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  2. I think a "skier's only" access trail from s. parking lot perhaps going through meadow east of the existing hiking/skiing trail that now goes through the pines...reason being a ski trail in the open less susceptible to icing etc [due to evergreen's influence]. Also trail through the pines is ideal for hiking access but not as nice [for number of reasons] for the skier.

    One other thought: Would it be possible to perhaps leave some sections actually ungroomed for those of use who like the trails in their more natural states? I'm thinking here specifically of the loops southeast of the gazebo...perhaps the most easterly section of main BT trail that is extension of the BT trail from the road/style on the 5th? Just a thought David. It was always nice to have that bit left au naturel as it were...but your call of course. cheers and thanks for the hard work!

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  3. Hi Michael: Thanks for your thoughts. I have already selected and partially cleared the route of the new "skiers only" trail at the south end. It will make use of the open swath of land between 2 pine plantations, so it should receive more snow, will not be walked on and thus will not become icy. I will consider your suggestion of leaving some trails ungroomed, although on this I think you are definitely in the minority. Most skiers I think like a trail that has been at least packed, if not track set.

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  4. Thanks David. Yes, I guess I'm a bit of an outlier on the non-groomed trail front (sadly). Just a thought. & thanks.

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  5. Guess that bit on D'Arcy's side trail should have read "stile".

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