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Sink Hollow Nordic Skiing, 14 February, 2016

Eight Cache Hikers donned cross-country skis for some fun on the the Nordic United groomed cross-country ski trail in Sink Hollow: Dave W, Dave P, Jane, Stephanie, Alex, Nikolai, Deanna, and Dan (the leader).  Jasper, a four month old German Shorthair, came along, too.

We carpooled up in three cars getting to the Sink Hollow parking lot about 11:05 a.m. It was fairly warm with light snow falling. About four inches of new snow covered the groomed track. Due to the warm temperature, several skiers had trouble with snow sticking to their ski bases so Dave W headed back to the car for some wax. We resumed our trip without difficulty after cleaning, drying and waxing.

The trail led north up a hill through several open meadows and curved west, crossing over the Sink Hollow trail.  It then looped back toward the south and took us through dense forest as we headed back down to the parking lot for lunch. The dog had fun running alongside the skiers and we met several people we knew along the way.

After lunch at the cars we decided to do another lap of the same loop, with a few variations. We stuck to the central Sink Hollow trail as we went north, then split into three groups on the way down: Stephanie went back the same way, Dave P, Deanna, Jasper and Dan went back by way of the western route and Nickolai, Dave W and Alex returned by way of the eastern route. Jane remained at the cars where she was able to help some confused snowmobilers find the right trail.

We finished skiing at about 2:45 p.m., packed up and headed back to Logan. Our skiing totaled 4.5 miles and about 600 ft. of uphill.

Trip Summary:

• Organized carpools and drove 29 miles to the Sink Hollow Winter Trailhead
• Started on the trail about 11:05, lunch 12:35 at the parking area, finished skiing 2:45
• Back at Logan 3:40
• Snowing lightly, calm winds, 39 °F
• 33 inches of snow total, with 4 inches new snow over an old crust
• 4.5 miles with 600 feet of climbing

Editor's note:  This was a good learning experience for several novice skiers in the group.

Thanks to Dan for the the narrative, photos and GPS work, and Dave. W and Dave P. for photos.