Ward Trail – Nov 12 – skiing around downed trees
We skied on the Lower Part of Ward Trail and Staircase Trail this afternoon, Nov. 12, 2022. The recent snow/wind storm brought down 4 trees across Ward Trail between the Trailhead and Junction No. 3 (Staircase Tr./Ward Tr.). There’s also a small tree down across the lower part of Staircase Trail. But, it’s easy to ski or snowshoe around all of these. We heard of trees down on East Ward Trail, and there are likely newly fallen trees on other parts of the Ward trail system. The Ward Trail was packed by the groomers before the last storm, and many people have tracked much of the Ward Trail System since the last snow fall. Included photo shows a 12-inch diameter tree that fell across the “lower/southern Ward Loop” of Ward Trail.
Great time
Had a great time skiing out lookout and around to tower. at least 6 downed trees with one of them on the line, be careful!!
DANGER DANGER!! I did not see any wildlife but they are still logging on tower!!
Good snow coverage
Beautiful day! The excavator work this fall has made a very noticeable difference on Scales Glade Trail. Thanks to the off season trail crew and the snow groomers!
Lower Ward Area is skiable!
There were lots of ski tracks on the Ward Trail System this morning! The Ward area is very skiable, especially for so early in the season. Snow cover is about 15 to 20 inches. I skied up Staircase Trail, north on Ward, and then down Wild Trail. Lots of other routes were also tracked by skiers. I hit no rocks. But, to be sure, we probably shouldn’t be on our best skis until we got some more snow. There were a few tricky stream crossings this morning. And on Ward Trail, the outlet from Deep Slough Reservoir was flowing fast and wide and was not passable. But people can tour around that outlet by following deep Slough Trail across the dam. There are two newly fallen trees on Wild Trail, but it’s pretty easy to get over them. The attached photo shows part of Ward Trail near Deep Slough Reservoir, just south of the Wild Trail Junction.
GREAT Job Grooners
Skied out the overlook trail to the overlook. Followed in the track of 2 others who broke trail before us. Very nice of them. The snow is great! The weather was crisp, cold and clear. There is a downed tree on the trail back to Tower that the crew might want to look at.
Good day!
Pretty good conditions for this early! There had been some walkers on the first part of dog loop, but after that it’s in good shape. this is the hill on the north end of the loop.
Upper Ward Area
We skied the upper part of Ward Trail this morning (October 29, 2022) form the small parking area across from Deep Ward Lake Campground.
We found 8 to 12 inches of snow with 2 sun crust layers: one on top, the other 4 to 5 inches deep. After going down “upper Ward long loop”, we returned via Cutoff Trail to find another couple about to ski the upper part of skinned horse trail. We hit no rocks today, but caution and rocks skis are advised. Photo shows snow on picnic table at lower Ward Lake Campground.