Medicine Bow Nordic Ski Patrol Assignment Calendar

Medicine Bow Nordic Ski Patrol Patrol Log: Saturday, April 11, 1998: J. Hamann

11 April 1998 (9:00 am - 3:00 pm) -- Skied from Green Rock to point overlooking Lewis and Libby Lakes from east, by way of Sally Creek, Telephone Creek, Towner Lake. Lunched while watching snowmobilers high-marking on southeast snowfields of Sugar Loaf, Medicine Bow Peak proper, various points along southeastern aspect above Klondike and South Gap Lakes, as well as southwestern exposure of Brown's Peak. Snow above treeline on southern exposures was solid at surface, with waxing conditions moving rapidly from Swix Purple to Asiago Yellow. Returned to Towner Lake to admire Myron and Adelle's snowcave/cabin. Proceeded to Little Brooklyn Lake then to the powerline corridor and back to Green Rock via the newly marked "potholes" path.

Comments:
(1) Current spring snow conditions favor abundant snowmachine travel opportunities. While at point above Lewis Lake, observed 22 snowmachines in the span of 25 minutes, travelling in groups of about 4. Also saw a group of climbers transported to and from the rock/snow above Lake Marie via snowmachine.
(2) The newly marked "potholes" path would be an excellent addition to skiing opportunities in the Green Rock area. Some of my observations from this first encounter are as follows:

The path as flagged provides a comfortable, well sheltered path from the Green Rock parking area to the meadow above St. Alban's Chapel.
The terrain covered by the route is not frequented by snowmachines, indeed, is likely not a desirable route for snowmachine travel in general. Approximately 75 feet of trail at the parking area lead the skier into un-tracked woods without exposure to typical Snow Range winds.
A moderate amount of tree-limbing and blue diamond placement would provide an adequate public path. Some limited re-routing of the current path as well as removal of a limited number of pines would result in a trail suitable for ski season grooming via snowmachine and drag.
Particulars of the location of the northwest end of this proposed path should carefully circumvent the Research Area located within the power line corridor below the meteorological station. In fact, a well-placed, well-marked trail in this area might alleviate current travel through the research area.
The vistas provided at both the southeast and northwest ends of this path are very nice, and achieved without undue vertical effort.
The region to the immediate east of the current path offers terrain capable of providing a low-impact loop/return path for isolated, one-way travel.

Parking Lot Totals

    8:25am                With Trailer / Without  3:30pm    With Trailer / Without
    Centennial VIS        1              0                  3              3
    Barber Lake Rd        1              0                  1              2
    Corner Mountain       0              1                  0              2
    Little Laramie        0              1                  0              3
    Sand Lake Road        0              0                  0              1
    Below Green Rock      2              0                  7              0
    Green Rock           36              8                 53             13

Return to MBNSP Patroller Calendar Page last modified April 13, 1998 Comments/Additions/Corrections to mbna@trib.com