 classic groomed ski tracks on the left, and skate-ski/snowshoe grooming on the right (photo from the National Park Service) |
compiled from several sources. By jhy
There are basically three kinds of grooming that are done for non-motorized trails in winter. Classic track grooming for cross-country skiers consists of two parallel lines about a foot apart in the snow. Skate-skiing track is a wider, ribbed surface that is essentially compacted and flat. Grooming for fat-tire bicycles is similar.
What are the rules when you encounter groomed winter trails?
Above all, find out the local rules for the trail you are using, which may be more specific than these general guidelines.
There are several absolute tabus. When you encounter the classic two-groove ski tracks, do not do anything on these except cross-country ski with skis no wider than the tracks. In fact, it's best if skiers try not to cut across these tracks, herringbone up hills, etc. Of course, a fall might damage the grooves, but if traffic is not heavy, some effort should be made to repair the tracks. Hikers, snowshoers, skate-skiers, and pets should not use these tracks. Unfortunately, in many cases, we can't train the deer or coyotes to stay off.
The flat, ribbed tracks for skate skiing and fat-tire biking are a little more flexible. Still, you should stay off them with boots. Walk pets elsewhere. Some trail systems allow snowshoe use on these tracks, others do not. In particular, if you use snowshoes with deep-gripping cleats, you will probably not be welcome. Anything that puts gouges in the surface can present not only an annoyance but a hazard to fast-moving users. Bicycles on these trails should have a minimum 3.8" tire width.
Protocol is that slower users yield to faster ones by stepping out of the track or trail. In many cases, trails are signed to be one-way. This is for safety. Meeting a speedy user head-on is not good. Do not stop at the bottoms of hills or just around blind corners.
In many cases, groomed trail systems charge a user fee. This helps cover the cost for maintaining grooming equipment.
In the immediate local area:
• Crystal Valley and Pentwater Pathways are groomed for classic skiing by volunteers of the Oceana Cross Country Ski Association. Donations are welcome, but there is no fee for using those areas.
• Big M is groomed for classic skiing by volunteers, with separate trail groomed for fat-tire bikes by Shoreline Cycling Club. Donations are encourged and there is a collection box at the parking area.
• The Manistee Non-Motorized Trail is partially groomed for fat-tire bikes by Shoreline Cycling Club, and partially for classic skiing , with an additional snowshoe loop/ dog walking loop
• Ludington School Forest has trails groomed for fat-tire bikes by Shoreline Cycling Club. The regular hiking trails are not groomed.
• The Logging Trail at Ludington State Park is groomed for classic skiing. Snowshoes are welcome to the side.
• Just slightly farther south, the Dragon Trail at Hardy Dam Pond is grooming 13 miles with ribbed track for shared use by fat-tire bikes, skis, and snowshoes.
• Commercial ski resorts often have cross-country trails.
There may be other groomed trails in the area. Feel free to let me know of them.
Contact me at events@getoffthecouch.info
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