Medicine Bow Nordic Ski Patrol
Patrol Log:  Thur. Feb. 4, 2016:  Dave Mullens & Liza Millett


On Thursday, Feb 4th, Liza Millett and Dave Mullens skied the Crow Creek Loop of the Pole Mountain Ski Trails and have these conditions to report: We skied with friends and relatives including Ann and Richard Boelter, and Robin Hill and Larry Haimowitz, and three dogs. We were able to park the cars at the cattle guard on Blair Rd. NFSR 705 ( Just above the {closed} Rest Area ). We started skiing at 10:30 am. The wind was very strong and gusting from the SW and we skied over drifts and blowing snow down the road to the Summit Trailhead. The temperature was about -3 Deg. C. Once we got into the trees the winds were very moderate and the sun was out for most of our ski. We then skied down to the loop and followed the trail marks around the loop in a counter clockwise direction. We had to break trail in at least 10 inches of new snow for most of the loop. We found several tracks left by what we believed to be Moose and found a large hole in the snow where we believe a Moose bedded down for the night near the southern most point on the Crow Creek Loop trail ( where the trail crosses Crow Creek ). After a brief stop for snacks and water we continued North to the trail split where the Crow Creek Connection continued up to the Summit Trail. But after some discussion we decided to take the left turn and remain on the Crow Creek Loop. Shortly we joined the other connection coming down from the Summit Trail and found fresh trail broken by other skiers. We did not encounter anyone else on the trail. The trail markers and signage ( with trail maps ) were in good shape except for one blue diamond marker placed on a small bush ( may have fallen from a tree ) on the North part of the loop nearing the junction with the trail to the Summit Trailhead We continued from the Crow Creek Loop back up to the Summit Trailhead and back to the cars, again in strong and gusty winds. We got to the cars at 1:15 pm after a good ski.



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