TRAIL CONDITIONS--(February--2006)

General Update

     117cm of snow for the Goose Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has taken two weeks to open most of the trails after the the three days of snow. The pisten bully was certainly put to the test!! Trails were even rerouted around the most severe snow banks. Once the PB sustained some injuries in the process we brought out  our trusty skidoos which are still trying to smooth out the trails. Believe or not their are still some bare areas that cannot be groomed even with the skidoos. McLean trail will be open this weekend but with some rough spots after the last hill, so be careful.

Recommended ski trails

Rabbit Run OPEN		Wood chipped trail, through a black spruce forest . (Classical skiing)
Games Trail OPEN		This trail was extended to obtain 5.2 km and is a good test for those interested in racing. (Classical / skating)
McLean Trail to Colin's Hut OPEN		Trail has a a groomed surface to Colin's hut on McLean hill. This trail provides access to a series of lakes in the backcountry and two warm up cabins ,one at 6.5 km from the main chalet and the other on McLean hill. This trail is still under construction and if ever finished it will be close to 25 km in length. The trail from the lake  is through a mature spruce/fir forest, punctuated with large white spruce. It also has a significant cliff face decorated with large ice candles. Our most scenic trail!!!!
McLean/Lynx/Old Chaulk's Run   OPEN		Very Good snow cover on the  Lynx. Excellent view of the Mealies from the this trail. The Lynx area is a burn over,  and skiers  have no protection on windy days. Old Chaulk's Run has been packed and  groomed to the lynx intersection. This provides a different route back from the lakes.
Robin's Route	Open to snowshoers	This trail only has a skidoo track due to a pile of wood left on the trail.
Dogberry Lane OPEN		Wood chipped trail, through birch with a smooth surface for classical skiing. Allows skiers to bypass the steep hill on the Games trail.
Brook Trail OPEN		Good snow cover. Combined with the   Games trail and Dogberry Lane, it makes for an excellent beginners/intermediate trail.  Distance approx 3.5 km (Classical/skating)
Birches Run/ Upper Deck  OPEN		Provides a scenic 1 km uphill, warm-up ,for  skiers, traveling to the  McLean lake cabin. New snow makes the trail safe to ski down on the way back from McLean cabin. Trail is smooth be skiers should exercise caution going down.

Here's our latest map, with a color coded legend, thanks to the local forestry personnel who traveled the whole trail system last winter. GPS readings were taken and distances were determined from these readings. Some of the readings are different than ours which were measured using a skidoo.

More about Cross Country Skiing in Canada

Trail Enhancement

  

Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club trails are groomed avenues in winter but when snow melts, they become wilderness walking trails. It's amazing to see what we ski over! Some of the more frequented routes are in the process of being subdued. Please bear with us.    In 1999, 1997, and 1998, the two kilometer Rabbit Run, a particularly rough trail nearest the chalet, was the first to be tackled. Rocks were levered out, stumps were cut flush to the ground or extracted, depressions were ramped, and the trail was resurfaced with woodchips. The Rabbit Run is now an easy walking trail and it can be skied with much less snow than was previously required to cover the protrusions. Similar work will continue over other trails as time, workers, and finances allow. Volunteers are welcome. More about Green Team E-mail Katimavik More about Let's Root for Canada Project