Posted Sept 14, 2011

The forested area out of the parking lot at County Line has long been marked for a hazard tree timber sale and it’s going on now.  The contractor can operate up to Dec 1 of this year and depending on snow fall, this could happen.   In most instances 3 feet of snow on the ground puts a stop to reasonable logging operations.  The cutter is staying on-site in an effort to max the hours available this Fall.   The timber itself is going to Doug Jones Sawmill, a local company.

There is a chance that skiers would not be able to access the trails from the County Line lot until after Dec 1.  We will be able to groom and prep much of the County Line terrain from Skyway, so it’d be ready to go quickly from the lot.    The dogs aren’t going to be very happy, but maybe they can go down the road to Ward for a change of scenery for a week or so.

One thing for certain, they’ll be a different look going in to ski from County Line this year.   We’ve been removing these trees as they’ve fallen on the trails for years.  We’ll still carry a saw, but hope to use it less and groom more.  Keep in mind that the primary focus of this sale is long term improvement and health of the resource, not to mention skier safety.  This small inconvenience and possible delay will have a positive impact on the experience at County Line for years to come.

Updated September 26, 2011

The GMNC Board Fundraising Committee is in the midst of a campaign to place a cozy warming hut at the Skyway TH as early as this coming season.   Already, two $$$ raising house parties have been held in an effort to make this a reality.

Keep in mind that any structure we purchase must be set up, taken down and stored off site on a seasonal basis.  After careful analysis of constraints, variables, and fiscal realities, installing a Weatherport structure (www.weatherport.com) of a suitable configuration appears to be the best fit.   Hey, they’re made right in Delta!

The project goals are to create a “clubhouse” of sorts, a place for real community and real warmth when needed.  Real people, real safety.  A wood burning stove will heat the interior of this tensioned fabric structure, engineered to withstand the winds and snow loads we experience on the mesa.

Our initial “hut” will hardly be the Taj Mahal.   Over the years we’ve had members come forward and offer all types of services in regard to constructing a hut or lodge building of some sort.   We’ve had people offer design, engineering, and construction expertise.   The terms of the agreement with the Forest Service we operate under simply won’t permit it.  Essentially we operate as a Guide/Outfitter service.   Think hunting camp.

Still, even this temporary shelter is exciting, and we’re well over halfway to our goal of raising $10,000.   If you would like to assist with a contribution, please give what you can.   Checks can be mailed to:

GMNC Hut Campaign

PO Box 266

Cory, CO  81414

Please put “Hut Campaign” in the memo area.

See you by the fire!

The joy of skiing.

Ski with exuberance!

Spring offers some of the year’s best skiing. Give it a try!

It’s fun when it’s fast! Everyone had a great time at the Mesa Meltdown Race as we welcomed Spring and wrapped up the 4-race Grand Mesa Nordic Point Series. Congratulations to Barkley Robinson and Christie Aschwanden for their convincing 20K wins and to Annie Murphy and Walt Speirs for topping the 5K. Full results have been posted: Results

Also congratulations to our Series winners Terry Daley and Helen Carlsen. To win this series you have to be fast, flexible and consistent. Points are awarded for two Classic races and two Freestyle races culminating in the Mesa Meltdown 20K. Terry won the Skyway Skuffle and had two 2nd place finishes and a third to dominate the Series. Winslow Robertson followed in 2nd proving he’s not only getting older, he’s getting better!

Brooke Bosman led the women’s side of the Series after 3 races but missed the Meltdown to ski for Mesa State College at the Collegiate Nationals. That opened the door for Helen to win the Series. She skied strong to grab three 2nd place finishes and a 4th through the season. Brooke still had enough points to be 2nd in the Series. Full Series results can be viewed here: Final Series Results

Thanks to our many sponsors, especially Clif Bar, Justins Nut Butters and REI. Hope to see all of you in early December when we’ll gather all of our racing friends and start the Series all over again!

Tom, GMNC Race Director

Mesa State has made a strong showing at the US Collegiate Ski Association National Championships.

Mesa State’s Brooke Bosman posted her first individual podium finish at the US Collegiate Ski Association National Championships today. Bosman finished 3rd in the 15 kilometer freestyle race, just four seconds behind St. Olaf’s Hillary Boyce. Western State skier Jamie Woelk won the race with a commanding lead.

Mesa State placed two other skiers in the top 20. Kelsey Follett finishing 15th in the women’s race and newcomer Dustin Wansrath crossed the line in 19th place. The women’s team finished today’s event in 4th place, the men in 8th.
Results of today’s 15km freestyle here.

The competition concludes tomorrow with a 3x5km relay.

Follow the team on their Facebook page.

An updated trail map is now available on line as well as at the trail heads.  Thanks to Tom Ela and Amanda Moore for all the effort put into this piece.  Go to the “Trails” tab above, click on “Trail Map” and you will be able to download a viewable .pdf file suitable for framing.

The 2011 First Annual Vintage Ski Race video is now posted.

View it here: http://vimeo.com/19690680