[NMCCSC] Conditions for Ellis, 10K, Klaus trails

[Michael Mcdonald]

Today (1/27), I skied the Sandia Nordic trail up from the 10K parking lot then linked to Santa Klaus, up to/along Gravel trail then back down the Sandia Nordic trail. I got there at noon and skied until 3:30. Temperature was in the mid 20s with firm wind in some open sections but great protection in the trees.

The trails were in fair condition -- a thick base and no rocks coming through. The groomed Sandia Nordic and Klaus trails are hard packed but I didn’t notice ice. I had plenty grip going up. However, the pack makes them fast. I had a hard time staying in control on Klaus’s curvy steep down-sections and fell a couple times. (There’s a lot of soft snow on the sides to fall into.) 

Gravel pit trail was was much easier going. The trail has been snowshoed and skied plenty but still moved under the ski providing good grip and control. The difference between groomed and natural skied in trails. That was great.

I got a perfect ride back down the Sandia Nordic trail to the parking lot. The snow gave me just the right control yet let me glide freely. A great reward to finish my trip.

I imagine the trails will be about the same tomorrow as the weather looks fine and I ended my ski late enough in the day that the temperature was coming down. 

Michael McDonald

> On Jan 25, 2023, at 7:47 PM, toonses via NMCCSCeGroup <nmccscegroup at mailman.swcp.com> wrote:
>