Ripitz
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2020
12 inches of fresh followed by 2 more a few days later put the beautiful Fahnestock Plateau into play. The Winter Park with its’ hit-or-miss seasons reported a majority of their groomed trails open along with concessions and rentals. Conditions like this don’t happen that often and are usually short lived. When they do happen, it’s time for action.
I loaded up the Car Crusher and headed up into the hills. I’m fortunate to live only a 6 mile ride from the edge of this vast protected space. In this area the gravel roads have been slowly disappearing and East Mountain is one of the last. I’ve been riding it for over 35 years and I’ve come to know it like an old friend.
At its’ highest point it intersects with the Old Schoolhouse Mountain Road. The old road was abandoned long ago and the one room schoolhouse stands no more. Recently some new trail construction was completed making it a more user friendly multi-use trail.
My friend Red Beard stomped a ski track 5 miles in from Hubbard Lodge 2 days prior. He reported just enough cover to make the trip worthwhile. The extra inch or two was now the icing on the cake.
I split from the Old School Road and took the less travelled Wiccopee Trail. My plan was to make a big loop staying up high.
Someone had solo hiked through here a day or so before. Usually footprints bother me as I would prefer to have first tracks. This time it gave me a good feeling to know that someone else had been out there enjoying the winter wonderland.
The snow was pretty stacked up through Wiccopee Pass.
I continued following my hiker friend’s prints.
Then I split off and followed those of a coyote.
Eventually there was none.
I passed the pond at Glynwood Farm with just enough cover.
The pond just barely frozen.
The many stone walls are a reminder of the hardscrabble past
I stopped to admire this big Oak.
I made it to School Mountain Road Trail which was now tramped out.
Old School Road
I followed the trench in the half moon light.
A headlamp not required.
I made it back to the bike completing an 8 mile loop. The high plateau kept the snow in good condition and I hadn’t seen a single person. Now, I had a 1,000ft descent on gravel and country roads back home.
Fahnestock State Park, ski it when you can.
I loaded up the Car Crusher and headed up into the hills. I’m fortunate to live only a 6 mile ride from the edge of this vast protected space. In this area the gravel roads have been slowly disappearing and East Mountain is one of the last. I’ve been riding it for over 35 years and I’ve come to know it like an old friend.
At its’ highest point it intersects with the Old Schoolhouse Mountain Road. The old road was abandoned long ago and the one room schoolhouse stands no more. Recently some new trail construction was completed making it a more user friendly multi-use trail.
My friend Red Beard stomped a ski track 5 miles in from Hubbard Lodge 2 days prior. He reported just enough cover to make the trip worthwhile. The extra inch or two was now the icing on the cake.
I split from the Old School Road and took the less travelled Wiccopee Trail. My plan was to make a big loop staying up high.
Someone had solo hiked through here a day or so before. Usually footprints bother me as I would prefer to have first tracks. This time it gave me a good feeling to know that someone else had been out there enjoying the winter wonderland.
The snow was pretty stacked up through Wiccopee Pass.
I continued following my hiker friend’s prints.
Then I split off and followed those of a coyote.
Eventually there was none.
I passed the pond at Glynwood Farm with just enough cover.
The pond just barely frozen.
The many stone walls are a reminder of the hardscrabble past
I stopped to admire this big Oak.
I made it to School Mountain Road Trail which was now tramped out.
Old School Road
I followed the trench in the half moon light.
A headlamp not required.
I made it back to the bike completing an 8 mile loop. The high plateau kept the snow in good condition and I hadn’t seen a single person. Now, I had a 1,000ft descent on gravel and country roads back home.
Fahnestock State Park, ski it when you can.
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