SNOW and TRAIL REPORT
*Updated: Wednesday May 1, 2013* This is the last report for this season. Have a great summer!
About 1/2" of new snow fell in the last 2 days, temperatures are mild at +20 F at night, no wind and +40F during the day. Trails will be good for skate or classic this weekend. We have not re-groomed them since the last dusing of snow. This will be the last snow report because we are sure spring will be here next week!
Skiing Report:
We'll be skiing here for a another week. Trails were last groomed on Friday April 18 and are holding up well with set track. The temperatures and the latest snow fall have made skiing fast - use caution on the down hills.
Use caution on the east side of Thriller, a tree was cut down and there is debris in the trail.
Snow on the ground at Sheep Mountain Lodge - 30"
Snow on the ground at Old Glenn Highway (mile 115) to Gunsight Mountain 33"
The old Glenn Highway (mile 115) was groomed on 3/25/13, it is holding up well, some areas are glaciated with no new snow. Park at the highway pull out (MP 115) and proceed uphill (less than a mile) for 3.5 miles of skiing one way. Watch for minor ice glaciation in the drainage dips. It is possible to ski from the lodge trails to the Old Glenn Highway (ask at the lodge).
Snowmachine Report:
May 1, 2013
The ditch trail from the lodge has rotted out and is mostly dirt with some snow.
Once you get to the old Glenn Highway, trails are packed with one inch of new snow. High country areas are windblown. Trail to Eureka was in before this last snow storm, it is NO LONGER MARKED with orange lathe as we have pulled those stakes for the season. The base should still be obvious even with the new snow. See Musher report below for directions from Sheep Mtn Lodge.
John Lake trail is in good condition and allows riders to leave from Sheep Mountain and ride all the way to Lake Louise - call Lake Louise Lodge for current conditions.
2012 Spring riding conditions.
Dog Mushing & Fat Tire Report
Update: May 1, 2013
*We are still training dogs on the local trails - this will be a record for the latest we have ever mushed dogs with a dog sled*
The dog-mushing trail to Eureka is in but the orange lathe has been pulled for the season, ask at the lodge for directions. Some sections near the Gunsight knoll will be windblown, but there is a base. The trail takes a right on Martin Road and then follows the power-line to Eureka Lodge. It is the most direct route between the Lodges, about 17 miles OW.
Start from the East end of the Sheep Mtn Lodge parking lot (do not block the trailhead with trucks/trailers) and head up the ditch trail for 1 mile. Next follow the Old Glenn Hwy for 3.5 miles until you see the last "Dip" sign and blue concrete outhouse. Turn Left at the last ditch up the valley in front of Gunsight Mtn., just after a large sheet of glaciation (other dog teams have safely set a trail to the right of the ice). Follow the main trail for about 4 miles through the hills. After the long descent, turn left on the powerline by the Glenn Hwy again. Follow the powerline to the Old Gunsight Mtn Lodge, veer left on the public access trail behind the Lodge. Take a hard right when you get to Martin Road (plowed, but still snow-covered). Take a left back on the powerline just before Martiin road intersects with the Glenn Hwy. From here, travel about 6 miles to Eureka Lodge and pick up other trails there. If followed correctly, this route requires no highway crossings.
Eureka Lodge has begun grooming trails behind their Lodge and the John Lake trail is in good condition. It is appx 75 miles RT from Sheep Mtn to John Lake and back.
Day users please contribute to the trail grooming donation jar in the Lodge entry. Skiers/Bikers/Hunters suggested $5/pp. Dogteams suggested $20/team. Better yet - rent a cabin at Sheep Mountain and no need to donate!
Fat tire riders are welcome to ride on the trails.
Thanks to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough for supporting and helping to fund our trail grooming efforts for ALL trail users!
Cabins are available for rent year-round, restaurant is closed during the winter but can be reserved for private parties and special events.
*Restaurant Opens May 17, 2013*
See you at Sheep Mountain!
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