​Hope you all are making the best of this early Spring weather. While I am sure we will still see some snow in the coming weeks, it has been a very abrupt end to our ski and snowshoe season on our Fourth of July Pass Trails. Our next club meeting will be held on March 11th (NOT our normal 1st Tuesday of the month) at the CDA United Methodist Church (starting at 7 PM). We will host guest speaker Sharon Bosley from the Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission to inform us on the superfund clean-up activities within the Coeur d’ Alene River watershed, Lake, and upper reaches of the Spokane River. Our next Panhandle Nordic Club Event was originally planned for Priest Lake-Hannah Flats Nordic ski outing on March 8th. Due to the lack of snow, I am going to swap this outing for the Lookout Pass to Taft outing originally scheduled for March 15. I will send out the details for this trip under a separate email. Our last club meeting of the season will be held on April 1st at the Vantage Point Brewery-Special Event Venue-top Level [208 E Coeur d’ Alene Lake Drive, CDA ID 83814]. We can each order our own food from a limited menu including smashburger, chicken sandwich, tri tip hoagie, ceasar salad (with chicken or salmon), or street tacos. We will meet at 6:30 PM to enjoy food, drinks, good cheer, and the development of a summer schedule of club activities. Bring your suggestions for summer club outings you might wish to lead.  

Grooming Report Fourth of July Pass – February 15, 2025
The Fourth July Ski Area received snow all day Friday, Feb 14th; about two and a half inches of powdery snow by 3 PM. The groomers covered the entire area today. Runs were packed, groomed and track set area wide. All runs will have some snow cover Saturday morning. After the cold snap last week, the area has the best snow cover and best snow conditions of the year for skiing and snowshoeing. ​Ski and snowshoe while it is still cold. We are expecting more snow Sunday and maybe Monday, but expect to groom again after it falls. Yet it is getting to that time of year when the thaw is on its way so don’t put off ski or snowshoe trips because condition are doubtful to get better after this coming week.
Touch up grooming was completed this morning on the inner core trails, Dwight’s Skateaway , and lower Skywalker. About an inch and a half of snow was packed, groomed ,and track was set.

Grooming Report Fourth of July Pass – Monday, February 10, 2025

The Fourth July Ski Area received about three inches of snow Saturday (2/8) after the Friday (2/7) grooming. The area was groomed Monday, February 10th. All the trails of the inner loop ( Havin Fun. The Swoop, and High Road) were groomed and track was set. Loose Moose was left with three inches of powder snow on a packed surface. Elderberry to The Benches, Treetop View and Skateaway were all packed, groomed, and track set. Skywalker and Moonrunner were packed between the Skywalker entrance and Rose Creek Saddle. The runs were groomed, but track was only set between the Skywalker Entrance and the Skateaway Junction. The roller was run over the entire length (two passes) of both runs to prepare a path for snow bikes. However, the Moon runner portion of the packed trail is likely still quite soft. Skywalker has been packed and groomed twice since the fresh light snow came in the past week and a half. However, Moon runner received packing and grooming only today. The Groomers reported that the machines were “floating” while working Moon runner. So, it may take another run over that surface to develop a good surface for Snow bikes.

The Fourth July Ski Area received over 10 inches of fresh fluffy snow this week.  The inner Loop (Havin Fun, The Swoop, High Road and, Loose moose), Skateaway, All of Skywalker, Eagle Run, and Elderberry to Ian’s Hut were groomed and track set.  Current conditions are the best yet of this season.
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Hope you all have been enjoying the generous helping of sunshine we have been receiving in January. Although we have not received much new snow in the latter part of January, our Fourth of July Pass ski & snowshoe trails have actually held up pretty well due to the consistent below freezing temperatures and our diligent grooming team. Things are definitely looking-up in the snow department for early February. Our annual Rock Soup Event will be held on Saturday February 1st. This event includes participants contributing vegetables (canned or fresh), pasta, or whatever you think makes a good ingredient for a Mulligan Stew. We will have both a vegetarian and a meat containing pot. Cooking (inside the warming hut) will begin around 1:30 PM. Folks are encouraged to go skiing or snowshoeing before or after the start of the soup cooking. Soup serving will begin around 3:00 PM and go until approximately 5 PM or when we run out of soup. Bowls and plastic utensils will be provided. You will need to bring your own beverage of choice (BYOB). You can also bring chips, snacks, cookies to share with the group around the fire (both inside and outside fires) if you choose. If you plan to stick around in the late afternoon, you might consider bringing along a flashlight for your return to the parking lot. Hope to see you all there! Our next club meeting will be held on Tuesday February 4th at the CDA United Methodist Church (starting at 7 PM). This meeting will include guest speaker Mark Stambaugh from the Kootenai County Sheriff Volunteer Search and Rescue organization. The Panhandle Nordic Club will begin hosting a XC Group Ski Meet-up on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday's of February (weather permitting). Meet in the Fourth of July Pass-Panhandle Nordic Club-Warming Hut at 10:30 AM. Bring your own lunch or snack to enjoy out on the trail. The planned group ski will be ~5 miles on the trail network with a stop at the peaceful view picnic shelter (we will adjust the route and distance depending on the abilities of the group). All abilities are welcome. If we geta decent turn-out we will continue this in the month of March. Please note that our March Club Meeting will be held on March 12th (NOT our normal 1st Tuesday of the month) at the CDA United Methodist Church (starting at 7 PM). Our Panhandle Nordic Club-Events calendar is also included with this newsletter. If you wish to participate in any of these special outings, please email the Trip Leader, or register via the event signup sheet at one of our club meetings. Once the trip leader has been notified of your intention to participate, further details about the trip and logistics will be provided via email.
Look forward to seeing you all again on February 4th .

Grooming Report Fourth of July Pass – Friday January 24, 2025
The prayer for snow last night at Fourth of July went unanswered. Missed us by one ridge to the east. Given the hard surface and thin snow cover at low elevation, the most popular trails were groomed this morning. The snow scarifier was pulled over the inner loop trails except for Loose Moose, Skateaway and lower Skywalker. The set track was not disturbed if possible. Although there is a thin snow cover on the lower trails, there is enough to get skiers and snowshoers up to much better snow cover above 3200 feet elevation. Snowshoers looking for good snow should go to the Twisted Klister Trail system a third mile up from the Skywalker Trailhead or up the trail from the parking lot. The trails on that side climb quickly to elevations holding good snow.

Grooming Report Fourth of July Pass - January 20, 2025


Grooming crews worked Saturday (Jan 18th ) and again Monday (Jan 20th) to level, pack and set track on nearly all the Fourth of July Ski trails. The inner loop trails, Skateaway and Treetop View were groomed both days and track was set. On Saturday Elderberry was groomed out to Ian’s Hut with track set only to The Benches. If you have not been out to the Benches this season two actual benches are now located there within shelters to keep the snow off. These are permanent and quite similar to the one you may have noticed at Treetop View. Today (Monday 1/20)., the crew leveled, packed and set track on the Skywalker-Moonrunner Trails all the way out to Rose Creek Saddle. The Eagle Run did not receive any attention both days. As mentioned in the last report, a shelter with bench is now located at the Lower Twisted klister Junction to serve skiers and snowshoers. This is a put and take shelter that will disappear with the snow.
Conditions for snowshoeing are excellent once a little elevation is gained. Snow is a little skimpy on Jannete’s Jaunt and Loopback in places and on Don’s Trail from the parking lot up to Skywalker. The trees reported on the Ridge Trail are small and easily crossed on snowshoes.

Grooming Report Fourth of July Pass - January 17, 2025


Crews have been working from just after New Years to clear and groom the trails, both ski and snowshoe at the Fourth of July Ski & Snowshoe Area. All ski trials have been groomed at least one time and the inner core trails have been groomed a few times now. The only obstructions we know of on the ski trails is one large tree down on the Cut Across Trail out at the far end of Elderberry and The Eagle Run. There are obstructions on Spenser’s Ss up behind the Peaceful View Picnic Shelter as well. Grooming was completed today with snow leveling equipment and a track was set on the inner core, Skateaway and nearly all of Skywalker. We plan to groom and set track again Saturday morning.
Most snowshoe trails have been cleared with some exceptions. The Elderberry trail out to the loopback and the loopback itself is clear. Trees are down further out Elderberry but none block snowshoers. The trail up to Skywalker, Twisted Klister and Gas Line Loops are all clear. There are a few trees reported down on the Ridge Trail and May be on Makin Tracks and Joe D’s Jump. None have been reported as blocking snowshoers. The Snowshoe Hut is now full stocked with dry benches and this week we added a bench and a structure to shelter it at the Lower Twisted Klister – Skywalker Junction.

Happy New Year! We finally got our first big snow up at Fourth of July Pass at the turn of the new year. Trail clearing and initial grooming activities were completed last Thursday & Friday in advance of our Best Hand Event on January 4th . Our trail snowpack is currently pretty marginal at the lower elevations with some bare patches. Certainly not the best conditions but still skiable. Let’s hope more snow is on the way. This years Best hand Fundraiser Event was a success with good fun, over 60 participants, and a total of $775 raised for our Panhandle Nordic Club. I would like to extend a big thank you to all of our club members who volunteered to prepare and staff the event and donate prizes. I would also like to highlight our local businesses that donated prizes including Trek Bike Store, Sportsman & Ski Haus, Two Wheeler Dealer, Ski Shack, Gear Garage, MoonTime, Vantage Point Brewery, and Daft Badger Brewery. Our next club meeting will be held on Tuesday January 7 th at the CDA United Methodist Church (starting at 7 PM). This meeting will include guest speaker Brett-Vangen-Weeks from the North Idaho College -Outdoor Pursuits Department. Our annual Rock Soup Event will be held on Saturday February 1st . This event includes participants contributing vegetables (canned or fresh), pasta, or whatever you think makes a good ingredient for a Mulligan Stew. We will have both a vegetarian and a meat containing pot. Cooking (inside the warming hut) will begin around 1:30 PM. Folks are encouraged to go skiing or snowshoeing before or after the start of the soup cooking. Soup serving will begin ​around 3:00 PM and go until approximately 5 PM or when we run out of soup. Bowls and plastic utensils will be provided. You will need to bring your own beverage of choice (BYOB). You can also bring chips, snack, cookies to share with the group around the fire (both inside and outside fires) if you choose. If you plan to stick around in the late afternoon, you might consider bringing along a flashlight for your return to the parking lot. Hope to see you there! Our Panhandle Nordic Club-Events calendar is also included with this newsletter. If you wish to participate in any of these special outings, please email the Trip Leader, or register via the event signup sheet at one of our club meetings. Once the trip leader has been notified of your intention to participate, further details about the trip and logistics will be provided via email. Look forward to seeing you all again on January 7th for our January club meeting! 

​Best Hand XC-Ski & Snowshoe Fundraiser
Event January 4th, 2025
Registration Begins 10:30 am Raffle Prize Drawings 1:30 pm
 4th July Pass Winter Sports Area-Exit 28 off I-90
 (Free Ski Day for State of Idaho, no parking passes needed)
$12(adult)/$5(under 13)/$25(family) cash or check only
Ski or snowshoe to collect 5 cards for a poker hand
Raffle prizes donated by local businesses & club members
Sponsored by Panhandle Nordic Club
Website: www.panhandlenordicclub.com Facebook: Panhandle Nordic Club
All proceeds support maintenance and ski trail grooming of 4th July Pass Winter Sports Area