Welcome to the home page of the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club
N 48 degrees 54.189 min. W 121 degrees, 41.699 min
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Welcome to the home page of the Nooksack Nordic Ski ClubN 48 degrees 54.189 min. W 121 degrees, 41.699 min |
Nooksack Nordic Ski Club |
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Final grooming of the season was on Saturday March 28th.Thanks to all skiers, and those who snowwhoed on the new trails for a great season! About the Nooksack Nordic Ski ClubThe Nooksack Nordic Ski Club was formed in 1992 to foster cross country skiing opportunities in Bellingham, Whatcom County and the state of Washington. We have great meetings, September through March, with some fun programs. The meetings are usually at ReStore upstairs: Sustainable Living Center classroom, 2309 Meridian, in Bellingham. Our members go on lots of ski trips to our "home" trails we maintain, and to other areas. Come join the fun! Our "home", our Salmon Ridge Ski Trail System, includes all the trails the USFS permits us to use, including Anderson Creek Road, Ridge Road, Hannegan, White Salmon Road as well as the Razohone Road "core" area. We groom and maintain the trails for everyone's skiing pleasure with lots of work from volunteers and by contract. Click here for an overview map and closer views. The ski areas are open to the public free of charge except for sno-park permits, but club membership and donations are appreciated to help meet expenses. The areas are brushed and maintained by club members on a volunteer basis. Sno-cat grooming of trails for skate skiing and the laying of cross country ski tracks are done by a contract groomer. Grants obtained through the Washington State Parks Winter Recreatiion Sno Park Program and the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board for the National Recreation Trails Program (NRTP) help pay for this hard work. Getting thereSalmon Ridge Sno-Park is located 13 miles (21 kilometers)east of Glacier, Washington State, just past milepost 46 (or about 45 miles east of Bellingham) on Washington State Route 542, across from Silver Fir Campground. Here are the gps coordinates: 48 degrees 54.189 min. N and 121 degrees, 41.699 min W. The trail we call White Salmon road is a few minutes drive up the highway. It is safest to turn around near the first alpine lodge, then come back down to the parking area because of the sharp curve.  Gail says,"I am happy to report - the new Bagley Creek Bridge at Salmon Ridge looks great!! (Check out the photos). The old Bear Hill, (east side of Cougar) has been really opened up!! So it should be really easy to groom. Lots of alders were taken out in order to get the equipment in for bridge installation. So now there's an excellent view point of all the mountains: Ruth, Seifret, Goat. To get to the new viewpoint, just go to the top of the old Bear Hill and make the right turn and you'll see what I mean. It's really great! I can't wait to ski the new loop!! (Bear Hill/Blueberry Bounce/Rasorhone) Yahoo!!! Yippeee!!! (webmaster's note: thanks should go to Lief of the USFS wrote the RAC grant, to Gail, and the many people who have worked so long to make this bridge reality.)
How to join ...Please complete the Membership application, print it, and mail it. OR fill out the application in the newsletter To learn more about the benefits of membership, click here. Grooming and ski/trai conditions information:Grooming is ordinarily done each Friday during the season, at Salmon Ridge, on Razorhone Rd and Anderson Creek trail systems, and on White Salmon Rd. and Hannegan roads. To allow grooming of White Salmon and Hannegan roads on Fridays, please be sure not to park in the way so the groomer can get access to the trails. Thank you! However since there could be delays in grooming the trails in the event of mechanical problems, always check the website for the latest trail information before heading out to ski. Most recent, and final grooming for season: Saturday March 28, 2009 Ski Reports Ski and snowshoe Report for Monday, April 6, 2009 by Kurt: I skied Razorhone Rd. today and it was at 38 to 32 degrees. The snow is about 18 inches deep and will probably last for the next few weeks. The trails will not be groomed anymore this season. The sunny weather made for a pleasant day. While there is still snow on the trails I would urge the public to stay off our trails unless they have on skis. This includes pets. One dog running up to the end of Razorhone Rd. and back produces over a thousand holes on the trail not to mention the dog waste left in the ski tracks. I met a pair of snowshoers walking on the ski tracks. They explained that it was too much trouble to walk beside the trail, they had not used the snowshoe trail, yet, and they were inexperienced. Snowshoers, please stay off our trails. We skiers have put a great deal of work into creating a ski trail. Help us to maintain it by staying off it if you are not skiing! I finished putting up the trail markers for the new snowshoe trail to the Bagley Creek bridge. It was very beautiful in the woods. Some of the old growth cedar was 10 foot in diameter at the base! The ski trails may be usable up to the first of May. This would be later than usual, so take the opportunity to get in a last ski this spring. Ski Report for Wednesday, 1 April by Ron: I skied the main road and also "The Bridge Loop" on Wednesday, 1 April. Terrible weather in Bellingham but not a drop (or flake) of precipitation fell on my group. As usual there was exquisite beauty all around us. The trails had been groomed just four days before, but on top of the hard pack there had fallen six inches of "cascade cement" snow. Skating and athletic skiing would have been impossible. Trail breaking was difficult but rewarding and now there is a pleasant skier-generated track. The snow depth at Salmon Ridge is the greatest we have ever had at this time of year (or at any time?) with approximately four feet. The snow should last a while yet and it is a shame that we cannot groom again. Enjoy this wonderful spring skiing. By the way, there were but two other cars in the parking lot. Ski Report Tuesday March 31, 2009 by Gail: Keats and I went up to ski at Salmon Ridge yesterday. I had hoped for a few inches of fresh powdery snow on a freshly groomed trail, however what we found was over 8 inches of heavy wet snow on top the grooming that we sank into. It was a slow steady trudge having to break trail all the way. We were able to glide a little on the way back down by staying in the ski tracks we broke as we went up. It was good exercise trudging up, but not a great deal of fun. It was 34 degrees and snowing at 12 noon, 37 degrees when we left at 2pm. So at this point there is still over 4' of snow on Razorhone Rd (plus what may have fallen overnight). There was evidence that a couple snow shoers and a dog had walked up the middle of Razorhone Road and over Mom's - they too had sunk in several inches. Skiers should prepare for back country skiing, skating is currently out of the question. The SnoPark was not plowed out (Tuesday), but hopefully will be for the weekend. SSC will be removing the sanicans as soon as they are able to retrieve them. Ski Report Monday March 30,2009 Tom reports: I drove down from Chilliwack on Monday, March 30, arriving 11:00AM. Several other cars in lot. A great ski out to the end of Razor Hone and back and part way up Anderson Creek as well, returning to the car just before it started raining. Great spring conditions. This was my third visit this season and I have been very impressed with the conditions each time. You have a great facility and it is evident a lot of hard work has gone into getting it to this point. Keep up the good work and I look forward to next season. Ski Report Sunday March 29, 2009 Kurt reports: Three lower trails have been groomed on 3-28-09. Two to three inches of new snow on yesterday's grooming. Temperature at 1100 was 31 degrees. Temperature at 34 degrees by 1630. Cloudy to partly cloudy skies. Wind at less than 10 mph. Good skiing conditions with the skating lane usable. I was able to finish putting up the blue diamonds on "Huckleberry". The signs are in place from the trailhead of the snowshoe trail to where it intersects with "bluberrybounce". Ski Report Saturday March 28,2009 Steve reports: Todd Eastman and I went up in the afternoon. Not sure if Hannegan was groomed, but Anderson was not. Razorhone was groomed to the end and Blueberry and Bear Hill/Cougar was groomed to where they both turn down toward the bridge. The river loop and Mom's was also packed. Roy did a great job on the trails - no ridge in the middle and well set tracks on the side We had a great classic ski in a light snow. Saw skaters having a good time as well. 5 cars in the parking lot. Awesome skiing for the end of March! The big snow that was forecast did not come then and does not appear to have come today (Sunday March 29). Get up there! Ski Report Friday March 27 Kurt reports:Four inches of ungroomed snow above 12 inches of groomed trails. Temperature 34 degrees at 1600. Skies cloudy with light sprinkles of rain. Volunteer tracks in the new snow are fast but the skating lane, being ungroomed, is more work. I put up blue diamonds on the snowshoe trail south of Razorhone Rd. There are many old growth trees up there. One cedar is eight feet across at the base. Ski Report Monday March 23, 2009 Keats reports: Skied Razor Hone today. Temps in mid 30s. Trail only partially groomed--west and east of the bridge not groomed. Very crusty and rough conditions from top of Blueberry to Bear Hill. 3 cars in SnoPark as of 3PM, all with permits. Trail Report Sunday March 22 Kurt reports: Temperature from 34 to 42 degrees. Razorhone is in good condition. Most non-skiiers are staying off the trail. Five cars in the lot when I arrived. Two had no permits. Four cars when I left at 1600. Only one had no permit. I finished putting up blue diamonds on the river side of the snowshoe trail and started on the south side of Razorhone Rd. Ski Report Saturday March 21 Audra reports: Arrived by 10am to a sunny an cold morning. Snow was very firm and icy, but softened in the sun by mid day. Skied up Razorhone road to the end. Tracks on the uphill side of the road were inconsistent, but the downhill side was in great shape. Met several skaters on the return trip, as well as a few traditional skiers. When I finally arrived back at the parking lot by about 1pm, there were 8 cars. I talked with a group of 4 snowshoers on their first trip to this sno-park. They read about the trails in the local paper so headed up to check them out. Thank you for a great trail system! Ski Report Friday March 20 Ed reports: "Skied Razorhone Road with three friends on the first day of Spring, although it did not feel like it: rain and 35 degrees. The main road, Blueberry and Bear Flats were all groomed. Neither access to the bridge was groomed, so be prepared to herring bone, if you attempt to do a bridge loop. 5 cars in lot. Thankfully no evidence of dog nor snow shoe damage to trails. Snow depth of at least three feet." Snowshoe report for Wednesday, March 25 Hermod reports: Frank Marjan and I went to the Salmon Ridge Snow park This Wednesday to spend the day. When we arrived about 10:00 AM it was snowing a but cleared of by noon to make an enjoyable day. There was about 4 in. of fresh heavy snow which made the trail softer to snowshoe on. We did both Blueberry's and the Grizzly rout. The snow conditions were basically good but we did brake threw in places and some of the tree wells are melting out so be careful. The snow bridges across the cricks are also melting away which makes it a little more difficult to cross." The Grizzly trail was in good shape even though it is steep it is more open and not as many logs to cross. All in all it was a good workout day, and we will be back again to do it again. Ski Report Thursday March 19 Marla reports: My husband, Larry, and I went to the Razor Hone Sno-Park yesterday (Thursday, March 19) afternoon. There were two other vehicles in the parking lot besides ours. One was a group of four ladies who were cross-country skiing and the other two ladies were snow-shoeing. The snow was wet and heavy and made for quite a workout, but it was still nice to be out. Larry and I took the trail out to the river, then on the way back to the parking lot, we took the Cougar loop. Somewhere just after the bridge, I lost a pair of Eddie Bauer black sunglasses. I didn’t realize I had lost them until we got back to the truck, but it was already 6:00 and I was beat. If your ski club has any kind of lost and found posting and anyone finds my sunglasses, I’d appreciate hearing from them. Thank you. Ski Report Saturday March 14 Chris reports:The skiing was very slow today. About 4" of new snow that was sticky. I tried skating, but soon returned to the car for my other skis. It snowed moderately while we skied. One car when we arrived at 10:30, 6 when we left at 2:00. We didn't think it had been groomed, it could really use a good grooming. Ski Report Wednesday March 11 Kurt reports: 6" of new snow over the groomed track. Ski tracks open but uneven, with few tracks other than dogs. Snow was light but sticky in areas of sun in the afternoon. Sky clear with low winds. I went to the end of Razorhone Rd. Scenic, as always, then over the Bagly Loop bridge. The new snow made the trail easier. I had no problem snow plowing down Blueberry. Question, how many steps does your average dog take to travel from the snowpark to Bagley Creek Loop and back ? Ski Report Sunday, March 8, 2009 Ed reports: Skied Razorhone Road. Observed 15 cars in lot. Evidence of grooming Friday, however, classic skied on 5 inches of fresh snow: a winter wonderland! With the fresh powder, skiing the bridge loop was lots of fun. It was partially groomed on the west side of the bridge, but all the way to the bridge on the east side. Ski Report Sunday March 1 Kurt reports: Above freezing temp, 36 deg. and a light to moderate rain made for a fast trai. Eight inches of groomed snow on the skating track. Users were courteous and friendly. They were also effusive with their praise of our efforts at providing the trails for the public. Unless weather conditions change I am predicting two more weeks of skiing on Razorhone Rd. Ski Report Friday February 27th:Alan and I (Ina Sue Fox) report: We were up at Razorhone and Bear Hill Friday, FEB 27. At 10:30 AM it was 29F On a scale of 1 - 10, it was a 15 point day all around! (biggggg smile!) Weather was perfect. Roy was doing a superb job of grooming and track setting with all the fresh new clean snow. We had a great time going up Bear Hill again and again, working on our downhill turns and skiing. 10 cars at the sno-park when we left around 2:30 PM and it was 41F. Park ranger had been there writing out ticket fines to several cars with no sno-park permits. Sheriff was also there. Ski Report Thursday February 26th:Kurt reports: Ski trails today had 8" of new snow, ungroomed. It was partly sunny and pleasent. I replaced a junction sign at Grizzly that someone had stolen and put up signs to reserve access for the groomer on Fridays. Ski Report Saturday February 21th:Don reports: “Many of us spent the afternoon after the club's free ski clinic on a tour to the end of Razorhone Road practicing our newly learned techniques. The grooming was good on the very old snow. Todd told us not the think of it as "icy" but as "fast" so we would have great glide with little effort. The weather was very warm and dry so everyone had a great day. We were disturbed by the amount of mud globs on the surface of the trail apparently dropped from the grooming equipment." Ski Report Saturday February 21th:Marj reports: “After the well attended NNSC ski clinic on 2/21, myself and others skiied the length of Razorhone Road. Conditions were fast. There was adequate snow cover yet, inexplicably, there was dirt on the tracks for a quarter mile around the foot of Blueberry Hill. Very bad for the base of our skiis! 26 cars in the parking lot." Ski Report Friday February 20th:Serge reports: “no grooming in sight, hard icy conditions up (and down!) Anderson Road, beautiful sun. One snowshoeing couple, we didn't see anyone else from 12 noon-2pm. Peaceful and serene." Ski Report Wednesday February 18th:Todd reports: “I skied Wednesday February 18 at Salmon Ridge. The tracks were "rocket ship" fast and purple klister was the stuff. Monster kick and warp factor glide were the order of the day. There was no fresh grooming at Razorhone and two skiers I met said that nothing resembling a Monday groom had happened at Anderson Creek. Five or six groups were skiing today and having fun in the sun." Information for snow-shoers: Signage completed for the Elk section of the new snow shoe trail. It now has blue diamonds both directions. Snowshoe Report Wednesday February 18th:Jim reports: “I wanted to say that I appreciated the snowshoe trails. They were difficult to find at first, so some more obvious signage might be nice. I saw a couple of other snow shoeshowers on the groomed trail, and they were totally unaware that there were trails specifically for them. Also, the trails were nice, but there was a very steep section that was also very icy that was pretty scary; I probably wouldn't do it again without mountain climbing equipment. It basically is a section that goes up from the river steeply up hill through forest to the groomed trail for a ways. I went back to the side of the groomed trail and went back to the snowshoe trail later down, and I think some other people did too. That part was too much. On the whole, I loved the snowshoe trail and I REALLY appreciated the trouble to give snowshoers a place to go that doesn't conflict with the beautiful groomed nordic ski trails. One of these days I'll be doing that myself. President’s Day Ski Report 2/16/09 by Ron Sawyer: "I skied to the very end of Anderson Creek Road with good conditions. A firm base with a dusting of new snow below and 3 inches of new above. The snow was occasionally a little sticky, requiring glide wax on the fishscales. Newly groomed (but not tracked) up to the 3+-mile point (up to the bridge on the acute curve). It took me 2 hours 20 minutes to go up but only 55 minutes to return. What a run downwards! By the way, the parking lot across the street was entirely filled with cars on this sunny day." Ski Report Sunday February 15th:Todd reports: “I want to report that there was NO grooming done on Friday the 13th or the rest of the long weekend. Though the skiing was good, the contract for grooming stipulates that grooming will be done on Fridays. In addition to the absence of grooming, the outhouses were removed mid-week last week and have not been seen since. Is there some issue with the Sno-Park contract that is resulting in these lack of services? We have had many good days of skiing up the mighty Nooksack but luck has played an important element in this.” Ski Report Saturday, February 14Chris reports: “Skiing was good, porta-pottys were bad. So what happened to the porta-pottys? There were about 20 cars when we got back to the lot @ 2:30. All but 2 had permits. The US forest service police and a Whatcom County Sheriff's deputy were there writing tickets. The snow was good down low with about 2" of new snow since Feb. 8th. The trails were not groomed which was OK, as the base from the week before was still very firm. It was a little sticky as we headed up to the new bridge which made the climb pretty easy. The few people we saw snowshoeing were of the ski trails, which was nice.” Ski Report Friday February 13th:Marj reports: “Hannegan Road had icy conditions. Razorhone was just right, with some powder on the hills. Had lunch at the footbridge - such a lovely spot. 8 cars in the Salmon Ridge Sno Park lot.” Ski Report Thursday, February 5:Steve reports: "Todd Eastman and I were up this morning – first ones there around 9:30 but 5 more by the time we left around noon. Skied all the trails – fast, fun and firm skating. Roy is doing an excellent job creating a flat, firm and smooth platform – world class! It is fun skiing so far up the valley on Anderson, but it would also be a lot of fun to have bear flats groomed so you could ski closer to the amazing new bridge. Is this possible?" Ski Report Sunday, February 1:Kurt reports: "Ron Sawyer and I skiied to the end of White Salmon Road.It was groomed all the way to the landing at the end. It makes the hill below the landing more controlable and less work. The three inches that fell two days ago make for slow skiing as it was around 40 degrees. On our way back we met a party of seven young people, all walking right down the middle of the course. We need more signage there. Something about not walking on the course." Ski Report Saturday, January 31:Don reports: "Sorry I missed you yesterday, Jan 31, Saturday. I was at Salmon Ridge at 9:30am, the first car there. I did the complete tour up bear hill hiked to bridge and ski down Blueberry. Took Mom's trail back to the truck at 12:30. You must have been on Razorhone just starting out. I saw the big group of people and kids pull in to the parking lot immediately behind me in the morning. The state patrol cruised the lot at 1pm and gave no tickets to the 28 cars." Ski Report Saturday, January 31:Susan and Jerry report :"12 noon, at Rasorhone SnoPark there was a skiff of new snow. There were 28 vehicles in parked. Lots of skiers. We encountered one large group of skiers of all ages who were having a blast. Lots of snowshoers. Most snowshoers we encountered were walking on the outside of the tracks. Those snowshoers we talked to were very happy with the trails. Conditions were firm and fast, but manageable. On Blueberry Bounce, about a quarter of the way to the top there is a very hard, icy stretch under trees. Walking the trail to the new bridge on Bagley Creek, across the bridge, and up to the main trail was an adventure. You do need to use caution for when your foot unexpectedly goes into a deep hole. Cougar (trail from bridge to Bear Hill) was not machine groomed, skier-groomed only. Views from the top of Cougar Loop were spectacular, even with clouds hiding the tops of some mountains. We had a fun cruise back to the car. It became a moonlight ski for us." Ski Report Friday, January 30:Keats and Gail Garman report: "12 noon, at Razor Hone SnoPark. Temp 34F, little new snow. All trails--White Salmon, Razor Hone, Anderson Creek, and Hannegan groomed today. Grooming starts early at White Salmon, to avoid congestion from cars in the parking area; followed by Razor Hone, around noon, then Anderson and Hannegan last. County Sheriff arrived to check Sno Park permits, but found no violators among the 8 cars in the lot. Due to mechanical problems with the snocat, grooming was not quite as good as usual, but very ski-able in any case. Some skaters at Razor Hone skied too soon after grooming, before snow had set up, leaving deep gouges in the trail. Other skaters remarked on this, but classic skiers had no problems." Snowshoe trail report for Friday, Jan 30:"Lower snow shoe trails, beginning to the left of the gate on Razor Hone, are now well flagged and signed, and in generally good condition. The upper trail, Grizzly, from the east side of the bridge reported to be icy and steep, and so not recommended. Shoers are requested not to walk on the groomed ski trails (tracks or middle), and if necessary, walk only on the outside of the groomed trails." As we left Sno Park around 3:30, light rain had begun, temp. 37F. Look for an article about new snow shoe trails in a future issue of the B'ham Herald." (report also from Gail and Keats) Ski Report Friday, January 23:There's been no fresh snow for several weeks, lots of hoar frost and ice crystals - i.e. very fast gliding but manageable on the downhills where trails were groomed. Razorhone Rd. was groomed and double track set;great smooth center lane for skate skier. both hills (formerly known as: Blueberry and Bear Hill) were groomed, no tracks set. Parts of the Cougar trail from the top of the hills in towards the bridge were ungroomed! They were last groomed 3 weeks ago. Conditions are icy, crusty and lumpy that may be doable as back country skiing but most suitable for snow shoers or walkers. The boggy areas near the bridge site are now hard frozen except for one small wet area near west Cougar. Anderson Creek trail groomed only about 1.5 miles, just past the first switchback. There were 10 cars at SR (2 Canadian ones that came down from Vancouver), 5 cars at Hannegan. Snowshoe trail report for Thursday, Jan 22nd: The new lower snowshoe trails start to the left of the gate, are well marked with blue flagging, quite well brushed and easy to follow. Trail signs will be installed on Sunday. The first section is the easy and very beautiful, meandering near the river. There are a couple icy, treacherous sections: scrambles up steep banks. The Huckleberry trail (that crosses Blueberry and goes to the bridge) is fairly well brushed, but needs more blue flagging. Note there is a steep ascent up the first section, but the rest of the trail is much easier. The Grizzly trail on the east side of the bridge is very brushy and needs more work. Note: snowshoers for sections of the trail along Razorhone Road -please walk on the river side shoulder of this road and not on the ski tracks or center lane of the road (this area is reserved for skate skiers). Thank you.. (Reports from Gail and Keats. Skier reportsMonday, January 19 The conditions on the Hannegan Pass road were poor. The snow is very crusty and icy, people have walked with boots, not snowshoes on the ski trail leaving deep indentations in places and dog poop here and there must be maneuvered around. Also, there are some trees down across the road. The only positive element was that snowshoers and skiers have kept separate trails. (Kathy) Skier reports Monday, January 19 My wife Susan and I just spent our first day at Salmon Ridge. We loved it and hope to go back often. The trails were in great shape, cold and clear. Thanks so much to the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club. We would love it if the Snow Shoe enthusiast and dog lovers paid a little more attention to the signage (they are hard on the wonderful grooming). Thanks again and looking forward to our next trip. (Report from Casey) Skier reports Friday, January 16 I skated Anderson Creek Road late today. Went all the way to the top. The grooming was excellent! Views were spectacular with glow of the setting sun on the High Divide ridge to the north and numerous peaks to the northeast. The trip down was exhilarating, very fast. Looking forward to skiing again tomorrow. (Report from Jim) Skier reports Sat. Jan. 3. We went up early to avoid the traffic 7:00am. 27F here in Bellingham with snow on the ground . -7c Celcius at Salmon Ridge. I used Fisher waxable for the first time in a while. Used a Swix red over some purple and that worked ok but at times felt grabby. Tons of snow everywhere. Nicely groomed but no tracks set at all. Not sure why. No grooming up to the new bridge yet. I think It might not be all that easy to groom that section, It could be too narrow in some areas. We had a great time. One thing is for sure, I have a lot to learn about this sport. I wish I could go down hill without so much snow plowing. 25 cars in the Lot and get this.. every single one of them had a snow pass! (Report from Alan and Ina) Sat. Jan. 3. Great grooming, great snow, fantastic bridge, 15 cars in the parking lot. (Report by Marj) Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, noon. 18 cars in the SnoPark well cleared. Sanicans in place. Snowing lightly, about 30 F. Razor Hone well groomed, but not track set, because Roy noted several snow-shoers on the trail who he thought would make tracks unusable. Good skier tracks, however. Snow very good, not wet. Grooming to the top of Couger Loop West (Blueberry) but not beyond to the bridge. Good skier tracks, however, and many non-NNSC folks in the know about the bridge and skiing to it. Grooming on Couger Loop East better than before--now within about 1/2 mile of the bridge, but ending just around a curve where deep snow begins, so anyone flying down will be surprised at the abrupt change. Some evidence of wipe outs on steeper segments of this section, but nicely skier tracked also. Lower section of CLE (Bear Hill) quite fast after several skiers snowplowed down. Also, deep slashes from skater which made snowplow or other turning techniques a bit challenging, if one's ski snagged. Good evidence of snow shoer use of new trail from end of Bobs through to top of hill, but then no evidence that anyone tried to climb the bank to continue. Some snow shoers using deep snow beside Razor Hone instead of groomed trail. Clearly an need for better signage for them re:new trails, and etiquette. Also, need earlier access for them to the new trails, to avoid damage to ski trails. It's clear that news of the bridge is out there, and that folks are actively seeking it out--some with the skills needed to navigate hills, some probably without.Kurt's posting of junction signs (albeit without "you are here" markers), and of caution signs in evidence. Good addition--trails keep getting better because of NNSC efforts. January 2: Snowing lightly at 3:30, and 17 cars in the SnoPark (Report from Gail and Keats) December 28 I skied the Bagley Creek Bridge loop for the first time on Sunday. It was awesome! View of the creek from the bridge is spectacular. Also, I didn't realize the trail on each side of the bridge is in mature forest. Very beautiful. It was snowing heavily when I was up there and that rerally added to the beauty. I sure appreciate all the hard work that must have gone into making the new bridge a reality. I look forward to bringing my family up there sometime this winter to share the experience. (Report by Jim)
Sno park information ...You must have a sno-park permit to use the Salmon Ridge and Anderson Creek trails, and any of 40 other Washington State locations. Parking is not free The parking areas on both sides of the road (highway 542) at Salmon Ridge are designated as a Washington State Sno-Park and thus a Sno-Park permit is required. Washington Sno-Park permits are accepted in Washington, Oregon & Idaho. Where do the permit fees go? Specifically, they go to SALMON RIDGE among others! Proceeds from permit sales are used to maintain and improve nonmotorized Sno-Park facilities. They pay for snow removal, sanitation facilities, trail grooming, trail signs, mapping, parking lot construction, education, enforcement and program administration. There are more than 40 SnoParks in Washington alone. Print a map by clicking: here. Please note a parking fine of $66.00 per offense is levied by the Forest Service and Whatcom County for parking in a Sno-Park without a permit. The fine is much more than the cost of buying a pass, and no fun. Parking permits are available for $30.00 per year at NNSC meetings, by mail from the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club (mailing address, Nooksack Nordic Ski Club P.O. Box 28793 Bellingham, WA 98228) or give Mel Davidson, the club treasurer a call at 360-734-8782. From the club website you can apply for a SnoPark Permit at the same time you apply for membership. This link takes you to a form. Sorry - we do not sell 1-day permits.
Cost: 1 day permit: $10, Seasonal permit: $30. There is a $1 vendor fee added to the permits if you buy them through a merchant. Here are Bellingham merchant locations (see link)
Here is a new merchant location closer to the trails we groom: Crossroads Grocery and Video (360) 599-9657 (located at the intersection of Silver Lake Road and the Highway 542, in Maple Falls.) You can obtain a mail in order form on line and access 125 merchant locations in other areas by clicking here Snowshoers on Trails ...
Snowshoers, remember to share the snow, not the trails. Please help us keep our ski trails intact by walking on the shoulders outside the ski tracks. This is also a safety matter. The area between the ski tracks is reserved for skate skiers. Keep in mind also: Hannegan Road is often groomed by the club for snowshoers, and skiers with dogs. Thank you! ATTENTION SNOWSHOERS: This season you have new trails designed for you in the Salmon Ridge area. See the Trails page for more information, and a map. There are also a lot of other trails for snowshoers to enjoy. Nooksack Nordic Ski Club member Marj Leone compiled these suggested alternatives. Snowshoe Options Along Mt. Baker Highway, SR 542 CAUTION: An awareness of avalanche risk is vital. Know the hazard level of the terrain and current conditions. For current avalanche conditions, refer to avalanche Coal Pass, FS 39: More Difficult. Just east of the town of Glacier and milepost 34, turn south on Glacier Creek Rd/FS 39. Park at the snowline. The road travels for several miles through both forests and open vistas. Excelsior Trail: There is a sizeable parking lot at the trailhead on the north side of SR 542, east of milepost 42. A steep, forested trail leads to the open meadows of Welcome Pass. Route finding skills recommended. The area above treeline is prone to avalanches. Parking is at 1800 feet. Hannegan Road: Easy-More Difficult. Just east of the DOT equipment sheds by milepost 46. There is a sizeable parking area where Hannegan Road meets SR 542. Snowshoe up Hannegan Road for several miles, or along the Nooksack River to Ruth Creek. The area above treeline is prone to avalanches. The parking area is at 2,000 feet. Silver Fir Campground: Easy. Across from the large SnoPark east of milepost 46. Flat, amid old growth, by the Nooksack River. SnoPark is at 2,000 feet. A snoPark pass is required. Bagley Lakes: Easy. Just west of Mt. Baker Ski Area. Drive SR 542 to the end. Park in the farthest corner of the farthest parking lot to access the Bagley Lakes Trail. Parking lot is at 4200 feet. Artists Point: More Difficult. Follow SR 542 to the end. Park in the farthest corner of the farthest parking lot. Follow the edge of the downhill ski area uphill; where the cat track turns left, go straight beyond an "out of bounds" sign. Avoid this area during times of high avalanche danger. Parking lot is at 4200 feet. Canyon Lake Community Forest: East of milepost 16, go south on Mosquito Lake Rd, then left on Canyon Lake Road. Park at the snowline. For snowshoeing opportunities on the Baker Lake Road, such as Schreiber's Meadows, on the Mountain Loop Highway and Stevens Pass, check out the Forest Service website. |
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