Pre-season Nason Ridge XC prep maintenance – We need volunteers!

From the Nason Ridge trail head at Kahler Glen to the crossover of the power lines two miles out, there is a variety of tasks that can be done individually or in small groups, and which will make winter skiing much more enjoyable.

Basic job before the snow flies is to remove the large rocks, debris, and overhanging branches that have intruded on the trail, including small, stemmed brush growing in the center “lane” of the trail.

The” Groomer” can clear a 13-foot track on a single pass and, since the trail is an out-and-back system, a wider trail should be groomed where possible. From the Kahler Gate to the top of the first big hill there are not many places to create a wider trail, but from the top of that hill out to the power lines, a wider trail is possible if we cut back the brush and remove the larger rocks and debris.

For purposes of this work party discussion, I have divided that two-mile section into 2 parts:

Section 1: Kahler Gate to the top of the first big hill – less than 1 mile in distance.

Section 2: From the top of the first big hill to the cross over of the power lines – about two miles from Kahler Gate.

Section 1 is the narrowest section of the trail and mostly needs to have the larger loose rocks removed (larger than a man’s shoe). Toss them over the downhill edge The rocks come down from the uphill side of the trail, along with brush and branch and debris.  If the debris is loose, throw it over the edge.  Don’t dig up rocks embedded in the trail as that will create holes: just remove the loose rocks.  There are a few places where we need to chop down overhanging branches — hand tools should be able to do that work.

Section 2 can be made wider with removal of the brush and overhanging branches. Power tools will make that task easier. If you want to drive a vehicle with tools to perform that work, call me and I can get the gate open for you.

As soon as weather is appropriate, the rest of the trail system will be open to XC skiing. The State Park crew will be doing maintenance brush work before the snow flies on the upper Nason Ridge trail system.

To volunteer, contact Bill Miller at 425-444-9598, near the Nason Ridge trail head at Kahler Glen