well, finally some tracks for island folks to ski. I have never seen the woods in such a state, as if the dozens and dozen broken off conifer limbs and tops weren't daunting enough, the woods has so much standing water all over that makes taking
a 600 lb snowmobile even more death defying. Getting stuck is a real fear and possibility, and it happened a couple of times, but was able to free it with a little extra effort.
Because of that, after struggling in the crotch high snow for three days I decided to pull the plug while working back towards our old place and Ken and I broke through to the Music Camp parking lot.?
Unless someone breaks trail with snowshoes, my only trail related task over there will be to help Ken with the grooming. I feel bad about this, but like I said, I never have encountered such mayhem in the woods.
I have snowshoes, a small otter sled and machetes in the back of my old dodge plow truck in the school parking lot that people could borrow if they wished to go for a snowshoe. If one comes up to a tree needing a chain saw it could be left, and I would
clean it up once I know that I am not going to bury the snowmobile. I think that there are probably not near as many trees down on the north end trail ,but Ken said the water is everywhere, so snowshoes will have to break the trail. If people got organized,
sections of the north end trail could be done if a car was parked at a different trailhead. Example...leave a car on Schoolhouse at the Ruehl Harmon Trailhead and snowshoe to the Burroughs trailhead via big swamp or Buffalo Lodge and enjoy the splendor of
the snow covered forest. Carry a machete to cut off the bent over sapling, pack some water and snacks and enjoy!!!
PS just to be clear, the snowshoeing is necessary to pack the snow so it will let the frost down to freeze everything. The north end trail will not see my snowmobile unless this is done and we actually get a week of cold weather. But with the weather forecast,
snowshoeing out there will be a treat.
Merry Christmas everyone
