Wilderness Trail, other trails, typical ski conditions

[bikehikeskifish]

What are the typical trail conditions for skiing on the Wilderness Trail (Lincoln Brook)? Are they groomed? Regularly? Tracked? Skate-groomed? Is there a site which has the current conditions? Where else can one go an enjoy 10-20k of tracked (at least) terrain in the WMNF? Do people go just to ski, or is it a means to an ends (winter bagging of Owl's Head, Bondcliff, etc.)

I may be interested in skiing some of this terrain this winter as an alternative to skating at Waterville.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[Hillwalker]

X\C B/C in the Whites

The old RR grade from Lincoln Woods has been "groomed" by a contractor when snow permits. The West Side Road (old Truck Road) also has been groomed to the Wilderness boundary (across from Franconia Brook). Again when snow depths permit, there is a natural snow bridge across the Pemi for a loop. The grooming has been sporadic, with dual set tracks on occasion. I doubt I have ever seen conditions suitable for ski skating.

I usually get my XC distance requirements set by skiing in to Zealand a few times each winter. However last winter was pretty thin and bottom eating most every time I went. That route is not groomed, but the road portion isn't too bad even when the woods part is thin.

If you don't mind breaking trail, or even partially doing the same. I have alway liked doing the longer loop up the truck road to the second suspension bridge, and then back down the Lincoln Woods Trail back to the Visitor Center.

I have been in to Thirteen Falls on skinny skis a few times too. Nice if you don't want to see people.

 

[DougPaul]

A number of the easier hiking trails in the Whites are skiable by people with intermediate skills--particularly those based upon old logging roads and logging railroad beds. I suggest you get a copy of "Backcountry Skiing Adventures, Classic Ski and Snowboard Tours in Maine and New Hampshire" by David Goodman.

Skate skiable trails are few, IMO. Unplowed roads (eg Zealand Rd, Ravine Lodge Rd, Wild River Rd, and upper Livermore Rd) should be ok, snow conditions permitting. I've been on Lincoln Woods Tr when it was skiable, IMO. It gets a lot of snowshoe and ski traffic and is often packed. (And postholed, too ) I've even done a few strokes of marathon skate (half skate) there with a 2-day pack on my back...

Some snowmobile routes, particularly those that follow unplowed roads (eg the road between Garfield and Galehead trailheads) should be skatable too. The snowmobilers "groom" them for you.

Doug

 

[Pig Pen]

Probably still a littly bony right now.

Ok, I'll shut up.

 

[DougPaul]

Probably still a littly bony right now.

That's what rock skis are for...

Doug

 

[bikehikeskifish]

I am mostly interested in exploring new terrain on waxless track skis. I don't have back country skis, and since I spent like $550 (at year-end 40%+ discount) on a new skate package last spring, I won't be buying one any time soon.

Perhaps my question could be revised somewhat -- how much will I be able to ski on hiking trails using traditional/diagonal waxless skis? Sounds like a fair amount, if I'm willing to forego actual tracks.

Hey Pig Pen -- If the winter hikers can get all excited about 4" of snow on top of some peaks, then the skiers can get excited about it coming to the lower elevations shortly thereafter ;-)

Tim

 

[DougPaul]

I am mostly interested in exploring new terrain on waxless track skis. I don't have back country skis,

Perhaps my question could be revised somewhat -- how much will I be able to ski on hiking trails using traditional/diagonal waxless skis? Sounds like a fair amount, if I'm willing to forego actual tracks.

Depends to a certain amount on what kind of trad skis you have. If they are very light weight, then you will probably want to stick to easier terrain. If medium weight, then you should be able to handle somewhat more "interesting" terrain. Also width (particularly at the waist) helps in soft unbroken snow. A weaker camber (sometimes called "a camber-and-a-half") is better in soft snow. A very strong camber could be a problem--you cannot kick very hard on soft snow and most people find it hard to sustain a hard downward kick when carrying a pack.

There is quite a bit of terrain that should be suitable in appropriate snow conditions, even for lightweight racing skis. For instance, much of the old rail system that came out at Lincoln Woods. Unplowed roads etc. Check out the guidebook that I mentioned earlier.

Then again, I have heard stories of XC racers skiing the black diamonds at downhill areas in their racing gear. Get out there, try it, and find your own comfort level.

FWIW, my first pair of BC skis was medium weight wood with a profile of 61/51/57 and lignostone (compressed impregnated wood) edges (plastic edges are probably better). Did a variety of BC tours on them, including summiting Owl's head.

Doug

 

[Pig Pen]

Hey Pig Pen -- If the winter hikers can get all excited about 4" of snow on top of some peaks, then the skiers can get excited about it coming to the lower elevations shortly thereafter ;-)

Tim

Does it mean I'm wierd if I start wearing my plastic boots to bed after I see the first snowflake?

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Take a look at the WMNF Skiing page.

Most get some use, and you will almost always find tracks made by previous skiers.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Does it mean I'm wierd if I start wearing my plastic boots to bed after I see the first snowflake?

Only if you leave the crampons attached.

Tim

 

[dug]

There are a lot of hiking trails that I have skied on with a waxless setup. I do have Scarpa T3's and some three-pin bindings on them, however.

Pine Bend Brook, Starr King, Mill Brook, Crawford Path, Zealand area, Hancocks (to the fork for the steep stuff), Hancock Notch, Dry River to name a few....

I have since upgraded my setup after almost getting killed coming down Mt. Marcy, and feel more comfortable with a cable and shorter, fatter skis.

 

[bcskier]

I doubt I have ever seen conditions suitable for ski skating.
QUOTE]

Marathon skate works. One foot in the track and the other skating.

marathon skate

bcskier

 

[hikerfast]

sandwich notch road

sandwich notch road is skiable. this is challenging and fun too, you can head out to guinia pond from there..and some dirt roads, and flat mountain pond trail. I hope we get more snow this year. last year we were skiiing on lincoln woods fire road(right side of river) and the middle area was so packed that a lady was really hauling butt skate skiing it. It looked outrageously fun.

 

[Peaks]

I've skied most of the "gentler" trails in the White Mountains. Just find your comfort level for grade.