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