April News Panhandle Nordic Club

[Panhandle Nordic]

April President’s Message

 

The longer days and the sunny warm weather last Sunday have us all looking

towards the actual arrival of spring in this part of the world. Even so the

snow has kept piling up on the high slopes. There is nothing unusual about

the situation, since March is most often a month of snowpack gain rather

than loss. With this March nearing record precipitation levels, the gain is

especially evident this year.

 

The snowpack became mushy on the inner loop at the Fourth of July area

forcing us to put the groomers away. Trying to groom a mushy pack will only

dig holes and not accomplish much else.

 

It seemed early this year because the snow came so late. My last trip

around the lower circuit found the trail threadbare of snow at the usual

locations at the base of Loose Moose and on the Swoop. However, if one

skied out towards Rose Creek Saddle there was over five feet of snowpack

beyond the top of Twisted Klister. The same is true of about any slopes

above 4,000 feet; Fernan Saddle, Lookout and other areas retain snow for

those wanting to get in another ski.

 

Inevitably though as the temperature rises and we get a few sunny days,

thoughts move off to spring and summer activities. So it is appropriate and

timely that the club considers its spring, summer and fall activities at

its final meeting of the season. Foremost among the tasks to work out is

the setting of our hiking, biking, and canoe/kayak trip schedule.

 

We plan an activity every other week through these seasons between late

April and September trying our best to avoid holiday weekends.

 

If you have a trip you would like to lead or just make as a participant,

bring in the best description you can to share with the meeting

participants. I will likely have some suggestions up my sleeve to present.

 

Once we have considered the suggestions we’ll get down to the business of

developing a schedule. I will referee, but as I say yearly, this is your

list of trips, so make it what you would like.

 

We will also need to factor in a few other activities. These include

manning our station at the Coeur d’Alene Marathon an annual money maker,

the Grand Fondo fun ride at Fourth of July, and likely a work day with

other user groups to complete any necessary trail clearing and to spruce up

facilities at Fourth of July for the warm season use by the public.

 

I hope to see you all at the Tuesday night meeting on April 3rd at 7 PM at

the Fernan Ranger District Office, 2502 E Sherman, Fernan Village, drive

around back.

 

Geoff Harvey