Thanks for an epic season!
April 3, 2022
Filed under West Elk Trails Inc
Tags: donations, ginzugroomer, grooming, snow roller, trail conditions, volunteers, West Elk trails
Two to 3 inches of heavy wet snow on the West Elk trails last week formed a crust on the snowpack. On Saturday, April 2, Tod Tibbetts ran the ginzugroomer around all the trails for the last time this season.
Art Dahl, Ron Reed and Tod pulled all the stakes and signs. Each year West Elk trail volunteers do their best to leave no trace. Ron and Tod hauled the ginzugroomer and the rest of the equipment down in the afternoon.
Thank you Art, Ron and Tod!
There’s still over 3 feet of snowpack but the sunny areas are melting fast as temps climb into the 50s. Especially the gully on Eric’s Loop.
Snowpack on the West Elk trails is bigger and deeper than we’ve seen in 7 years!
The West Elk Trails Inc board members have many people to thank for this epic season so let’s get started.
Groomers
Todd Kupka
Tim Simonds
Tod Tibbetts and Odin
Trail volunteers
Art Dahl
Rob Dolan
Mary & Mary Gervais
Brad Henry
Pastor Jim Legg
Ron Reed & Deidre
Fundraising
Art Dahl
Rob Dolan
Bruce Kime
Kelsey & Lucas TenHarmsel
Peggy & Tod Tibbetts
Peter Waller
Communications: Peggy Tibbetts
This season the West Elk trails received an outpouring of support from our surrounding communities in the form of grants and/or donations from these benefactors.
Thank you:
Garfield County
Alpine Bank
Holy Cross Roundup Foundation
City of Rifle
Town of New Castle
Town of Silt
Rescom Construction
Equipment news
The Grand Mesa Nordic Council Board has agreed to sell the snow roller PLUS a drag for the bargain basement price of $500 (street value: $3,000 – $5,000). SOLD! To West Elk Trails Inc.
Thank you GMNC!
Last and most definitely NOT least thank you trail users!
The West Elk trails have the best trail users. You share the trails. You pack you trash. Your kids are outstanding. Your dogs are awesome. And you are generous. Your contributions make these gorgeous backcountry groomed trails possible!
January 2021, West Elk Trails Inc borrowed $15,000 for the new Ski-Doo utility sled. Thanks to West Elk trail users that loan was paid in full on March 23, 2022!
See you next season!
Donations accepted year round
Happy trails with West Elk stickers!
All proceeds go to West Elk Trails.
Thank you Kelsey TenHarmsel for your brilliant design!
Click here to order.
Spring skiing!
March 25, 2022
Filed under West Elk Trails Inc
Tags: cross country skiing, ginzugroomer, grooming, snowshoeing, trail conditions, West Elk trails
Spring has definitely arrived on the West Elk trails!
It was impossible to tell whether there was any snowfall this week. If so, it was only trace amounts. With temps in the high 40s by midday the snow softens up quickly.
Todd Kupka ran the ginzugroomer around all the trails with the rakes down to break up the top crust and then made a final pass to smooth it all out.
The groomers have decided to groom once more in the morning next Saturday, April 2. They will pull stakes afterward.
With the freeze/thaw conditions the snowpack is firm enough for skiing or snowshoeing anywhere on or off trail without breaking through — at least for a few more weeks.
Enjoy the Spring weather!
Trail Conditions
- Hwy 819
Groomed, track set - Kay’s Loop
Groomed, track set - Eric’s Loop
Groomed - East Cutoff
Groomed - Zeus’s Cutoff
Groomed
Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only!
Sleds ok under control
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules
Show your love for the West Elk trails with stickers!
All proceeds go to West Elk Trails.
Thank you Kelsey TenHarmsel for your brilliant design!
Click here to order.
Your contributions make these backcountry groomed trails possible!
Support the West Elk trails grooming program!
The voluntary membership fee is $40 per individual and $75 per family (includes couples).
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Voluntary membership fees and donations are tax deductible!
Donate today with PayPal
Please add a contribution to the equipment fund when you make your donation.
Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652
Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook
Celebrate Spring on the West Elk trails!
March 18, 2022
Filed under West Elk Trails Inc
Tags: ginzugroomer, Spring, trail conditions, volunteers, West Elk trails
Two to 3 inches of new snow fell on the West Elk trails this week.
Today was sunny with temps in the mid-20s in the morning and warming to the mid-30s by afternoon.
Tim Simonds and Tod Tibbetts groomed all the trails today. Spring conditions are here. The snow will be hard in the morning and soften as temps rise.
Rob Dolan will be at the trailhead on Saturday, greeting trail users and offering coffee and cider. Stop by and say “hi.”
Sunday is the first day of Spring! Celebrate all weekend on the West Elk trails!
Odin update: Surgery went well! Though his activities are severely restricted, he’s up and walking and in full-on recovery mode. He misses his West Elk buddies and he accepts and appreciates all the positive healing energy sent his way!
March 25 is the last day of grooming operations for the season. Stakes will be pulled on April 2.
Trail Conditions
- Hwy 819
Groomed - Kay’s Loop
Groomed - Eric’s Loop
Groomed - East Cutoff
Groomed - Zeus’s Cutoff
Groomed
Remember!
Skis or snowshoes only!
Sleds ok under control
West Elk Trails Etiquette & Rules
Show your love for the West Elk trails with stickers!
All proceeds go to West Elk Trails.
Thank you Kelsey TenHarmsel for your brilliant design!
Click here to order.
Your contributions make these backcountry groomed trails possible!
Support the West Elk trails grooming program!
The voluntary membership fee is $40 per individual and $75 per family (includes couples).
West Elk Trails Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
Voluntary membership fees and donations are tax deductible!
Donate today with PayPal
Please add a contribution to the equipment fund when you make your donation.
Or mail checks to:
West Elk Trails Inc, PO Box 129, Silt CO 81652
Find West Elk Trails Inc on Facebook
West Elk Trails Inc 