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Contributed by trip leader Dennis Damici

It turned out to be a great day at Swampy. This trail and the shelter was the first for a few. They were very impressed. The scenery was awesome. Everyone was thrilled to have attended. Their smiles said it all at the conclusion of our trek.

Contributed by snowshoe leader Kelly Cleman

The day started out a bit wonky as Sunday traffic up to Swampy Sno-Park was slow-going. But we finally made it to the turnoff only to discover a stuck van parked across the entrance. All eight snowshoers sprang into action with our snow shovels and sand and quickly got the van unstuck! We drove into the parking lot and then discovered that the lot had not been plowed out yet. The snow was pretty deep, so we got to work shoveling out places for the cars to park. With all of that done, we were now ready to go snowshoeing! The goal of this snowshoe trip was to do the Long Loop trail from the Sno-Park, however we quickly discovered that no one had been on the trail yet and there was at least a foot of new snow to plow through. Everyone took a turn as we moved slowly towards the first junction. We discussed if we still wanted to proceed towards the junction with the Long Loop and we decided to keep going that way, breaking through more snow along the way. The new snow was heavy and the leaders felt like they were trying to move through a marshmallow. Needless to say, we didn't move very quickly. We got to the second junction and decided to turn back the way we came. It was easy-going back along the now-broken trail for a while and we got back to the first junction fairly quickly. We noticed that someone had come through after us and turned at that junction to do the Short Loop. So we decided to head that way to make a loop of it. However, we quickly caught up with the group that had been breaking trail coming back our way and so we ended up breaking the rest of the trail back to the trailhead. Everyone took another turn good-naturedly and towards the end, we were rescued by a strong snowshoer from another party that offered to take over the leading duties. We were all happy to have someone else do the work for the last 1/4 mile. We arrived back at the trailhead tired, but with a strong sense of accomplishment for the day. 

Contributed by snowshoe leader Kelly Cleman

Five snowshoers started out from Swampy Sno Park on the trail to the Nordeen Shelter. More snow had fallen on the trail since the last snowshoers went through, so there was some work to be done getting the trail broken in again. The sun and patches of blue sky accompanied us as we traded out leading the group. We arrived at Nordeen Shelter and were able to enjoy some of the views from the ridge as we ate our lunch. Refreshed, we headed back up the trail towards Swampy Sno-Park. We stopped at the junction for the Long Loop trail and talked about if we wanted to go that way or just head back to the trailhead. Everyone was getting a bit tired so we voted to return the way we came. A great day for everyone!

Contributed by snowshoe leader Kelly Cleman

This snowshoe was open to non-club members who attended the Snowshoe Seminar held at the library in early December. Six enthusiastic and strong snowshoers took us up on the offer. Two people in the group had never been snowshoeing before, so we wanted to make sure we showed them a good time! It was lightly snowing at the trailhead and there was quite a bit of new snow overnight,  but the first part of the trail had already been broken in, so it was easy going for a while. However after the first mile, we caught up with the couple that had been breaking the trail and they gladly let us take over. Over the next 3/4 mile, we took short turns breaking trail and arrived at the Swampy Shelter energized and ready for a break. The original plan was to continue around the loop and meet back up with the first part of the trail using the Porcupine Tie. However, one of the participants was getting a hot spot on their foot and so we decided to head back the way we came along the broken-in trail. It was still snowing as we returned to the trailhead and everyone headed home tired but exhilarated after the lovely day spent out in the snow.

Contributed by trip leader John Stephenson, additional photos by Char Newman

Taking advantage of a rare break in the recently stormy weather, seven CONC snowshoers enjoyed lots of fresh snow, beautiful views, and good company trekking on the snowshoe trail from Upper Three Creeks Sno-park up to Jeff View Shelter. The trail was well broken in and there were lots of other snowshoers & skiers out there.

We became adventurous on the way back and took the unofficial (pretty much unknown) Bob Timmer Scenic Loop on the way down, breaking snow and navigating by GPS (on the map the official trail is the direct orange line on the left, with the loop we took back on the right). It worked out well, with even more expansive views of the high peaks! We saw another group of ‘shoers following the path we created, so it might get more use…

Contributed by Trip Leader, John Stephenson

On a beautiful, partly sunny last day of 2024, six CONC skiers set off from Ray Benson Sno-Park on an adventure to Big Lake and beyond. We travelled out to Big Lake at a fast pace on a groomed snowmo trail and took in the great view of Mt Washington beyond the frozen lake. 

To avoid the snowmobiles, we switched gears after that, ditching the groomers and heading off into the deep, first skiing along the shore of Big Lake, and then cross-country through the trees towards the notch between Hoodoo and Hayrick Buttes. We then had a challenging climb up to the saddle, with several in the group making some nice teli turns along the way and descended along the edge of Hoodoo Ski Area. As can be seen on the map, we entirely circumnavigated Hayrick Butte! It was a fun 6.5 mile off-the-beaten track journey that I can safely say has not been done by many.

  

 

Photos by Ed Johnson

By the powers vested in me, I induct David, David, Kerstin, Lori, and Ed into the honorable Order of the Trail Breakers!  The above inductees never wavered in their determination to go the full distance, breaking trail the entire time.  They never mumbled a discouraging word, in spite of the fact that I, their "leader", forgot his jacket and had to race back to town to borrow one, forcing them to wait in the falling, wet snow.  They never faltered, even when the NOAA god brought rain upon us an hour before predicted, forcing the team to trudge through the wet mist from Flagline, along Crosscut, and all the way back on Swampy Loop.  Look Ho! at the full arm extension to get their poles on top of the snow as they broke through a foot of heavy snow.  Look Ho! at the smiles on the last leg of the ordeal, below the Shelter Tie intersection.  For me, their "leader", I am grateful for their immense, positive attitudes!

  

Contributed by trip leader Dennis Krakow, photos by Warren Preston

A small group of skiers headed out into somewhat challenging conditions.  The low cloud ceiling and wind said to stay in the trees.  Which we did, more or less.  We basically skied the COTA "3 psi" trail, which coincidentally is 3 miles.  Lots of trail breaking in a foot of thick snow.  One photo shows John pulling me up from a 0 mph fall.  The other gives an idea of conditions.  The final is the treat we had driving back to town.
I'll try it again there when we finally get freezing temperatures to create a crust.  It is pie season, right?

Eight Nordic skiers traveled the Ridge loop on Sunday, Dec. 15. It’s about a 2-3 hour ski that can be accessed from the Swampy snow park.  We started out in snow flurries and cool temperatures.

All climbed to the Ridge on a newly broken ski trail and then descended with our graceful gliding to the junction with the beginner trail.  The trail had wonderfully light powder snow.  Even the lower hairpin turn was  easy to navigate with this “hero” snow!

   

Contributed by trip leader Warren Preston

As the sun descended below the horizon, December's Full "Cold" Moon illuminated the way for eight CONC skiers readying to circumnavigate the Tangent Loop at Meissner Sno-Park. The wide, groomed trail with about 2" of fresh powder provided ample opportunities to gaze up at the bright orb hanging in the sky. The scudding clouds provided constantly changing views, leading to many stops for photo opportunities.

We skied up Tangent to the Mushroom Trail to Manzanita to the Meissner Shelter. After some clothing adjustments, snacks, and more photos, we continued onto Larkspur to Snowbush back to Tangent. The steady climb up Tangent toward Swampy Sno-Park was rewarded as we turned the corner to head downhill toward Meissner. The full moon lit our way as we headed east along the trail until we returned to our vehicles with smiles on our faces.