Today I went out to my favorite cross country ski trail. There were excellent winter snow conditions.
The trail I ski is about five kilometers around a local golf course. Most of the trail is beside the river. 75% of the trail is through heavy mature spruce. This protects the trail from sun, but certainly contributes spruce needles.
Winter snow condition means that the snow has not thawed. It is still powdery and easy to ski on and you have good control of your skis. I thought this might be the last winter snow to ski on as it is forecast to be above zero tomorrow.
We will have a great spring skiing season. The trail has a great base that will not melt away very quickly. I don't do spring skiing as I find it difficult to handle those snow conditions. People who have mastered spring skiing conditions love it . It's fast and takes little effort to propel yourself down the trail.
I like this ski area both summer and winter. Part of the river is open all winter. Quite a few ducks stay in this area all winter. Today there were scads of golden eye ducks and a few mallards. Bohemian waxwings were on the ice where there was overflow. They were drinking but I didn't see any of them bathing. It's common to see both bald and golden eagles. They patrol the river and feast on ducks and fish which have not survived. I didn't see eagles today.
There certainly was evidence of moose in the area. We are at the top of the snowshoe hare population cycle so there are many runs and lots of evidence where the rabbits have been eating bark from young trees.
Altogether it was a very pleasant afternoon for probably my last ski of the season.
Wonderful description of your ski tour, Red. So many birds, so many different kinds! I am constantly amazed at how many of my blogging friends also love them. How did I go so many years without noticing them??
ReplyDeleteI did a post a long time ago about how I came to be interested in birds at a very young age. I remember my Mom showing me a mallard drake.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more time for birds as there is so much to see.
DJan, click on mallard in my labels and you will find the post about my Mom showing me the mallard.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to take up cross country skiing and this would have been a good year to do it. We've finally got a little spring and I'm afraid its a little late to learn.....way too much ice.
ReplyDeleteWhen you take up cross country skiing try it on groomed trails. It's much easier to ski on groomed trails. Groomed trails are level and stable. You could get your own trails by using your own trails.
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