Resilient Groomers cutting trees and making every snowflake count
Winter in the Methow traditionally means corduroy dreams for many. Unfortunately, the warm, wet weather and damage from December’s storms have presented significant operations challenges for the organizations that make these dreams come true. With grit and determination to make winter recreation happen, there are good times to be had on the snow, thanks to the hard work of dedicated groups and volunteers. This post highlights some places to find grooming schedules and the work entities have been doing to make our winter wonderland possible in this atypical year.
The Mountain Trails Grooming Association:
Aficionados of motorized winter recreation and those looking to get off the valley floor and into the forest will appreciate the work done by the snowmobile groomers of the Mountain Trails Grooming Association. The grooming schedule with detailed trip reports is on their website. While the routes they groom are intended for snowmobile use, they are open to all user types, just no wheeled motorized vehicles. This year, the group has encountered unprecedented blowdown and washouts across the routes they maintain. Still, the crew has done a ton of work opening up trails they can, with volunteers from the Methow Snowmobile Association helping cut trees ahead of the snowcat. I joined for a day of logout on the Twisp River Road and was floored at how many trees have come down this winter.
The Grooming Association’s work is funded by snowmobile registrations and the sale of motorized snow park passes, so be sure to register your sled or purchase your snow park pass for more miles of corduroy!
Twisp River Road had an impressive number of trees down after the December rains. I joined volunteers from the Methow Valley Snowmobile Assocaition to clear ahead of the MTGA’s Piston Bully in early January.
Fatbikers and dog walkers have been treated to surprisingly good conditions around Perragyn Lake State Park and surrounding state lands thanks to the grooming of Methow Fatbike. My dog and I have benefited from their grooming on our daily walks along the Lake Creek Trail. Be sure to check the trail map if you’re planning to walk on these trails to ensure they're shared-use, and be mindful of freezing (or melting) temperatures.
While Cosmo might not care for baths, he is grateful for Methow Fatbike’s grooming at Pearrygin Lake State Park
As I write this, there’s rain, sleet, and warmer temps in the forecast. To preserve the trail platforms we do have, try to avoid using these trails if it’s above freezing, and if you’re leaving a tire rut or posthole, turn around and come back at a colder time. Discover passes are still required for parking at the Lake Creek Trailhead.
Methow Trails:
If you’re here looking for information on Methow Trails’ world class nordic ski trail network, I’m sorry to have confused you. Check out Methow Trails’ conditions page or download the Methow Trails app for daily updates on conditions across their trail network. They haven't been immune to the low-snow year we’ve been having, but have done some great grooming with the snow available. Methow Trails’ staff have also been dealing with impacts from December’s rainstorms, including washouts and blowdowns across their network.
Loup Loup South Summit:
Groomed by the Loup Loup ski hill and adored by nordic skiers, snowmobilers, dog walkers, and fat bikers, the south summit snow park is also experiencing a “low tide” winter. Still, the staff grooms on, and good times are possible above what has felt like a persistent cloud at the valley bottom. Check the South Summit grooming report Facebook page for the most up-to-date conditions. Remember, this is a shared-use network, so be courteous to all users, and make sure to have a snow park pass visible if parked at the parking lot. Snow park passes make the grooming possible
Storm’s impact on summer trails?
We won’t know the extent of the December storm's damage to many summer trails until the spring melt. I expect washouts and blowdowns aplenty, especially through recent burns. MVTC will do its best to clean up the damage this summer and provide safe, sustainable access across the region. For now, I’ll keep my skis waxed, my snowpark pass in my windshield, and my fingers crossed for more snow.