trips - Midwest Cross-County Ski / Snowshoe Weekend

Trip Info

Dates: 1/9 - 1/11/09
Trip Organizer: lizs
Location: Isinours Unit, RJDorer Forest, Preston

Number of Attendees: (view all)
3 yes
4 maybe

Description

[Yes, this event is set. It's MY event at this time, not YogiJimmySan's. As I understand it, though, he will plan something in Feb. or March, when his back is better.)

This event has been posted as a Minneapolis/St. Paul Backpackers MeetUp event. It was posted there both as a camping trip and also with an option to stay at a motel and just get out for those not wanting to winter camp. So far - and the deadline to sign-up for that purpose has now passed (Dec. 30) - there are no motel takers and just a couple winter camping takers.

HOWEVER, IF ANY OF YOU WANT TO COME, YOU ARE DEFINITELY WELCOME, BECAUSE THIS EVENT IS HAPPENING.

I have a location, Isinours Forest Unit of the Richard J. Dorer State Forest near Preston, MN. As of 2-3 weeks ago, this was a PERFECT SPOT. We had close to 35" of snow in December, which was pretty unbelievable. However (and this sucks), we then had rain... and warm temps. Which leaves conditions so-so.

I am not sure what our forecasts are going into the weekend of Jan. 9-11. I think 2-4" of snow is predicted this weekend (Jan. 2-4)... and if anything comes next week.

Whatever the case is, an event is planned and your attendance for winter camping welcome. Since it appears we may have a couple new winter campers, the campsite will not be far from the parking area. HOWEVER, 1) the parking lot is on a deadend and it's very peaceful there, and 2) if you really want, you can climb up the hill for a nice campsite, too, near a small, three-sided shelter.

If we have more snow, this location is perfect (and why I selected it) because 1) it is right on the Root River State Recreational Trail, which is groomed for XC skiing back toward Preston and Lanesboro (but not toward Fountain, although someone had skied that way and put down tracks). These trails are beginner, flat trails along beautiful rivers and bluffs on former railroad beds. I skied a week ago Sunday by Isinours and while other spots were losing snow, it was still pretty decent. It was only my second time out on the skis. The snow was kind of granular, but I was defnitely getting glide and not hitting ice, at least that day. I will get out mid-week or so to check again before the event, or to see if a different section of the trail system is better.

The Isinours Unit also offers snowshoeing, if the snow holds. It has a nice trail around 3 miles, plus some areas to double back and cut across on, as well as offtrail options. If that isn't enough, there would be additional locations 10 miles away at most. I know I like to try to find nice, untrodden, powdery, virgin snow for snowshoeing - and we do know locations to do just that.

Another option is the Liking Hiking Club will have a snowshoe, ski or (more likely at this point) HIKE Saturday, Jan. 10, at 12:30 p.m. So day event participants are welcome.

Plus yet another option - and I need to check the moonrise time - is a moonlight snowshoe, ski or hike, as the moon should be pretty full.

And geez, I just thought of an additional option if anyone geocaches. The Isinours Trail and area probably has at least a dozen geocaches... maybe more like 20!!??!!?! So it's something else people could do.

We were even looking at building an igloo, potentially, but chances of that are looking slim.

Bottom line, the event is happening if you are interested in coming. I can't guarantee snow, though, so if it's definitely snow you want - as opposed to fine comradeship and likely a big, big bonfire (and the tales you only hear at events like these) - and roasted marshallows (if not indeed Peeps!) take it upon yourself to go find snow.

Before you complain, just know I've spent a bunch of time on planning this, whatever happens, trying to take each and every contingency into account. The event will be whatever it is and so it goes... And with that said, any questions, kiddies??? ;-)

****EDIT FOR UPDATE JAN. 8!!!!!

Well WE ARE LOOKING AT SNOW (although there may be some freezing stuff as well)! See below

UPDATE AS OF 1/8:

Ski conditions:

The DNR guy said to me in an e-mail he thought snowshoeing at Isinours should be "excellent."

Now the DNR ski report from Jan. 8:

Currently, the ski trails are icy in many areas and in fair to poor condition. The trails were last groomed from Peterson to Preston on December 22 and from Peterson to Houston on December 30. If we get at least 4" of snow from the weather system moving in tonight (1/8/09) , we will attempt to groom either Friday or Saturday from Peterson to Preston. Any additional snow will greatly improve the trail conditions even if there is not enough to groom.

The candlelight skis are scheduled for Preston on Saturday, Jan. 17 and for Whalan on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 5:30-7:30.

A MN Ski Pass is required for anyone 16 and above to ski on the state trails. More information can be found at:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/index.html

Weather forecast:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 15. Wind chill values as low as -10. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Tonight: Snow, mainly after midnight. Low around 9. Wind chill values as low as zero. West wind at 10 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Friday: Snow. High near 24. East wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -9. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 14. North wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15.