Our First Grooming + Update 11.30 AM + Update 3PM

10:00 AM - January 11, 2024

Thursday, Jan 11th, 2024, Club #1

Update 3 PM: Whatever the problem was with the #1 groomer, it is now on its initial run back to the 22/301 intersection and the #2 unit is back to its original run. I'm not sure if they will complete the original schedule as laid out in the 6 AM post.

Update 11 am: Both groomers left between 5 and 6 AM this morning. The #1 from Rogers Lake with Mickey and the #2 with Ron and Bryce from Nepisiguit. Of course we never stop anticipating problems. The #1 is stopped on trail 22 and it looks like the #2 is on its way to the rescue. I don't know the circumstances, but it is what it is. So far the trails from Nepisiguit to Rogers Lake to Red Pine shelter on trail 23, the 507 and 22 as far as Dobson's camp have been groomed. I'm doubtful if the plans mentioned this morning are going to be fulfilled, but we'll see what happens after the rescue.

6 AM: Our first grooming of the year starts today. I never checked the grooming history, but this has to be one of our latest start-ups. Ron has the two groomers on the move and as I said yesterday, grooming will only be done in a 10 to 12 hour period during the daylight hours, due to those hidden unknowns, such as rocks and stups on some sections of our trails. Plus the fact, I’m sure the operators will be contending with some wind falls, so chain saw operations will be a factor in getting the trails set up.

The #1 groomer will head west Trail 23 from Rogers Lake to Red Pine Shelter, Trails 507, 22 north, back to Nine Mile Shelter on 22 and back on The California Loop, 508 and back to Rogers Lake. The #2 Groomer will Leave Nepisiguit Lodge on Trail 23, over to Rogers Lake and 509 then back through to Nepisiguit and Down to East Bathurst on Trails 23 and 19.

The Nepisiguit lodge will be open with full service today from 10 am to 9 pm.