Dry River Trail a good ski ?

[Chip]

I'm thinking about a combo ski/hike for the Bird Count Dec 19. How's the Dry River Trail for skiing in the winter ?

 

[DougPaul]

Mixed, IMO. You should expect to walk some sections.

Just getting to the bridge involves some steep sections which are not skiable. Once across the bridge, the trail is pretty flat for a good ways (maybe to the junction with the Isolation Tr). But sections do drop down to the edge of the river (we got our snowshoes wet).

There are also some stream crossings.

FWI, we were there in January a number of years ago.

Doug

 

[audrey]

There are also narrow sidehill sections and bouldery areas that would require a big dump of snow for good skiing. Not ideal, but hey, we'd look forward to a trip report!

 

[Chip]

Nah, I'm not that adventurous on the skis. Maybe I'll ski Mt Clinton or Zealand Rd and hike off them. Thanks for the responses though.

 

[RoySwkr]

I've never skied it but I understand that you wait for a good freeze and ski the brook rather than messing with the trail.

 

[Chip]

I've never skied it but I understand that you wait for a good freeze and ski the brook rather than messing with the trail.

That's kind of what I was thinking might be possible. Might be interesting. I'll check it out then if it's been cold and snowing. Thanks Roy.

 

[Puck]

Chip
This is a good idea. We have not covered this area yet. Going into the fifth year I have found that many participants want to go up high. The elevation can yield some good birds, gray jay (everyone loves gray jays) boreal chickadees, black backed woodpeckers, and cross bills. However, the lower elevations have turned up crossbills, pine grosbeaks, siskins, northern shrike etc. I would not expect Dry river to have anything different in species or number then lets say, Ethan Pond tail, Arathusa falls trail etc. However, being a designated wilderness area could give some important data in the long run.

 

[Chip]

Don't get too excited. I might also go climb Frankenstein and see what I can count from up there.