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.
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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.
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 Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with time spent with friends, family, and plenty of pumpkin pie.
Since our last meeting, a solid crew of folks spent several days up at 4th July Pass clearing the ski & shoe trails and setting up our temporary winter shelters. We are grateful for everyone that participated. We are ready to kick-off the season just as soon as we get that first big snow. Our next club meeting will be held on Tuesday December 3rd at the CDA United Methodist Church. This meeting will include a social gathering with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. Attendees are requested to bring a dozen or two Christmas cookies to share with the group. All leftover cookies will be donated to our IDOT friends who plow our parking lot at the 4th of July Ski & Snowshoe Trails. Our annual Best Hand fundraiser event will be held on January 4th, 2025. This event will need volunteers to help set-up & tear-down, staff our card distribution stations, keep the fire going, etc. I will have a sign-up sheet available at the upcoming meeting for volunteers. We would greatly appreciate you taking a shift at the event and helping us out. The Club Board is in the process of gathering prizes for the event from local businesses including: Trek Bike Store, Sport & Ski Haus, Trader Joes, Super #1, Pilgrims Market, Starbucks, Two Wheeler Dealer, Ski Shack, Gear Garage, Moontime, Vantage Point Brewery, Post Falls Brewery, Daft Badger Brewery. We would welcome efforts by any club members to solicit donations from other stores or even donate an item of your own. Our Panhandle Nordic Club-Events calendar is also included with this newsletter. I will also bring hardcopies to distribute at our upcoming December meeting. If you wish to participate in any of these special outings, please email the Trip Leader, or register via the event sign-up 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. Do not forget to obtain your annual Park N Ski sticker at any participating retail outlet or order online from idahostateparks.reserveamerica.com Also please join or renew your membership electronically via our club website at: panhandlenordicclub.com Look forward to seeing you all on December 3rd for cookies and hot chocolate! Welcome to the 2024/2025 season of our Panhandle Nordic Club. Fall has arrived and we should soon see the snow begin to fly leading to the start of another great ski and snowshoe season. Our club will hold our first seasonal kick-off meeting on Tuesday November 12 at 6:30 PM: United Methodist Church 1470 W Hanley Avenue Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 Our Club Board recently met on October 22nd to start the planning process for upcoming events and activities for this season. We have thus far set the dates for two of our primary events to be held at Fourth-of-July Pass: Best Hand Fundraiser: January 4th, 2025 Rock Soup Ski & Shoe Social: February 1, 2025 Please all be thinking of additional day or extended outings for our club members during the upcoming season. We will be looking for suggestions and trip leaders during our November Club Meeting with a finalization of the schedule during our 2nd Club Meeting on December 3rd. Do not forget to obtain your annual Park N Ski sticker at any participating retail outlet or you can order online for home delivery at: www.idahostateparks.reserveamerica.com. When you purchase your sticker, please select Fourth-of-July Pass-Area 4 as the designated location. This ensures these supporting funds are directed to support the maintenance and grooming activities for our home trail network. Please also join or renew your membership for our club. This is also critical in supporting the maintenance of the trails and facilities at the 4th of July recreation area and ensuring that the club will endure for many years to come. We strongly encourage you to join or renew your membership electronically via our club website at: www.panhandlenordicclub.com. We would also prefer you pay for your annual membership thru the electronic payment methods available within the registration process. If you wish to be on our email list, please make sure you select the box [Add to PNC Group Membership List] within the registration form. Also, make sure to Key [Submit] after you have completed the form and payment process. Please sign up as soon as you can. It really helps to get the membership list for the year completed early. Thanks again for your support! The fall season brings several required preparation activities to the fourth-of-July Trail network. We will soon be looking for volunteers to support two different trail workdays to get things ready for an enjoyable season. Stay tuned for a request for volunteers from our Geoff Harvey. The more the merrier! If you are in the market for any new ski equipment or wish to sell any equipment please be aware that we have two different ski swap events in the area over the coming weeks: Coeur d’Alene Ski Swap Kootenai County Fairgrounds Saturday November 16 [10am to 5pm] www.theskiswap.com Mt Spokane Ski Patrol Ski Swap Spokane Fair & Expo Center October 26 & 27 {Sat 9-5, Sun 9-12] www.skipatrolskiswap.com Look forward to seeing you all on November 12th to kick-off another exciting season.. |
AuthorPanhandle Nordic Club News and Events Information Archives
February 2025
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