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| XC Skiing | 5.00 Miles |
300 AEG |
| | XC Skiing | 5.00 Miles | 2 Hrs | | 2.50 mph |
| 300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Starting at the sledding hill on 260, just west of the WMAT reservation boundary, I followed roughly the route of the Railroad Grade Trail. At first, I followed snowmobile tracks. The fact that I knew there would be snowmobile tracks here did influence my decision to ski here today, although in retrospect, it is a pretty boring trail, with very little in the way of ups or downs. Since the Springerville Ranger district usually does not see fit to groom Pole Knoll, I wanted a groomed trail today, and a change from Pole Knoll, as well, where I've been skiing daily for awhile. Snowmobile tracks are almost as good as a groomed trail. Actually better, sometimes, because usually there is no one else around. I saw no snowmobiles at all, in fact.
The RR Grade Trail is fun in summer on a mountain bike. I don't think I will return to it in winter again, though. After about a mile or so I ran out of snowmobile tracks and decided to break trail myself for awhile. I headed for some low hills in the distance, but they turned out to be further away than I thought they were. Pole Knoll is right to the east and looms in view, and the ski slopes of Sunrise are also visible, once you pass a big hill that hides them from view.
I arrived early and was the 4th car, but by the time I returned I could barely get out of the parking lot due to all the sledders having arrived. And that's another thing. That parking lot used to always be snowplowed really well, because it often packs in 50 cars or more. But it was a total mess, piles of snow everywhere, ice, etc. Budget cuts? It wouldn't take long at all to shove the snow out of there. Grr.. People were getting almost stuck all over, spinning their wheels, etc. I don't know if the FS or ADOT is supposed to plow it, but how much you wanna bet if I call ADOT they'll tell me to call the FS and if I call the FS they'll tell me to talk to ADOT?
Right across the highway from the parking area is also a nice area to ski. You head for a little gap between the hills, straight across the meadow. Once in the hills you can go in all different directions. I really should have gone there instead, as there were snowmobile tracks to follow in that direction as well. I was lazy today but skied steadily for over 2 hours. Tomorrow it is going to be warm again, so I'm gonna ride my road bike. |
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There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life. |
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