I was in around Hodges today and was relieved to see there is still lots of snow….especially on the higher elevations.

Peace Valley has had a lot of water in in most of which has run off now although we had to skip across a few spots. Both side of the hill are great for climbing now….probably too easy though with the dense snow so if you want a challenge you will have to go steeper.

All cold weather in the forecast which is good but as the snow dries out it will get harder.

For this reason I decided to downgrade to good. Saw about 50 caribou on 9 Mile again today in two herds.

Looks like we survived the rain!  I was on the West Coast doing a sledding course on Sunday and it rained on us all day.  All the brooks are running wild….lot of damage but still lots of snow left in the higher country.  All the way back on Monday morning you can see  the vast amount of snow lost.  I was getting pretty worried  but the closer I got to central the brooks were not running as bad.  Aspen Brook and most of the others around are running over the ice but are not out.  Had a tour on the Gaff today and the riding was better than good so I am going to leave it at excellent as it is only going to improve as the water runs off.  Had a beautiful day with light snow but a great cook up of ham and beans.  Really we never got the rain the East and West got.  At least here around Badger it was mostly just steady mist.  I am headed into Hodges on tour tomorrow but looking at the road and also talking to a friend who was in today….I expect much the same.  We are safe again! 

The conditions are awesome!  We just had two days of clear skies with temps just below zero and no wind.  Saturday we broke a good portion of trails and the riding was just perfect.  Lots of stucks while up on Hodges and a sore back today!  Got some great pics too.  We had 8 people out and we all had a ball.  They will be back!  Today I took Keith Small out from Destination Labrador to show him where we tour.  He was very impressed to say the least.  We saw lots caribou on 9 mile bog and Monica Bog as well as lot of tracks in Peace Valley.  Fox and coyote were everywhere as well as a fresh set of lynx tracks.  On Saturday a cross huge fox ran across right in front of me in Peace Valley and another was hanging around the chalets.  The nice weather brings out the wildlife for sure!  Hodges again tomorrow and the Gaff on Wednesday.  I am having a ball!  Lotsa great pics over the last two days.  It was hard to pic a few to post!

Let it snow!  After two recent storms we are in awesome shape!  The backcountry is buried and you can go anywhere you want.  The ride today was absolutely perfect!   After a heavy snowfall last night followed by a small amount of freezing rain which knocked the powder down just right.   It snowed off and on all day in the backcountry with a few flurries at the chalets.  It is steadily accumulating with snow coming all week.  And, to boot, the groomer is out! 

The snow going into Hodges yesterday was deep and heavy….hard day for the machine.  Lots of snow although not so much around Peace Valley.  Seems like it was colder in there for the bulk of the storm and blew into drifts and the woods.  Still plenty though.  I got stuck twice getting over the hump by Peace Pond.  If it were powder I would have blasted on though I am sure.  The old ‘stick in the throttle’ trick got me through it though.  After last nights cold and cold forecast the snow will improve immensely.   Gotta big tour on Saturday and trails to break through the backcountry….should be fun!

We didn’t get the snow that seemed to fall around us but the roads and trails are, for the most part, excellent going.  Hodges received a lot more snow that Grand Falls-Windsor but not nearly as much as Badger lake and the Gaff Topsails.  We left the Chalets last evening for a night ride and were blasting through two feet of powder and huge drifts all the way around Badger Lake area!  The closer we got to Hodges the snow was not as deep but still lots of powder and awesome riding.  Here and there there are still signs of that very disappointing wind melt we had two weeks ago but easily avoided.  The ridge road leading to the Hodges trailhead had excellent ditch banging all the way today….I had a a lot of fun diving deep into the powder and blasting out!  All around any lakes or open areas there are plenty big drifts for play.  The lakes and ponds are excellent too…get the right speed going and you hop across like a seadoo.  We still need lots more to open up all the options and to be fully care free when banging around the ditches but I must say….today was an excellent ride!  I should have taken more care in getting pictures as my sled saw great air many times today but I was having too much fun to stop for snaps.  As for the Gaff I wasn’t up there since this last snow but it has to be awesome up there now. 

I took a 1/2 an hour to dart in as far as Cornfield this afternoon and except for the trucks having the road rutted things are looking good.  I wish I had the time to do the Ridge Road but I did not.  I suspect that all the roads are in pretty good shape now except for parts of Ten Mile and the parts of the Eastern end of Ridge Road.  These roads had a few bare spots from the warm wind we had a while back.  Although they might be fine. All in all I think the roads and trails are in pretty good shape.  I think I should upgrade to good…Jason will upgrade the site conditions tomorrow.   After Saturday afternoon….up to 40cm….we will be in great shape!  Sunday is going to be a great day!

I had a group of seven guys out for the past two days…we spent both days on the Gaff Topsails.  Yesterday it rained all day after about 7 inches of wet snow the night before.  I would have been satisfied to sit that one out but we did find lots of snow on the Gaff that we knew would be a lot of fun if it were not raining and cooler!  Today we trucked up Millertown Junction Road about 20 km from here and off loaded the machines to avoid the track ride and spend more time playing.  The road was perfect going and it only took us a few minutes to drive the 15km or so into the Junction.  The tracks were really good going in places and in others we had to get off to the side.   But for those of you who know the Gaff, this is normal where the track is high and exposed.  But the tracks was not our destination.  The areas along Mary March brook were and we had a ball!  The brook is actually running after all the snow followed by rain although you could cross back and forth in many places.  There is loads of snow in the woods and along the brook and the water is running off fast.  I am heading back Friday with another group from Scotland….can’t wait.  It was a very cold and windy day…difficult for pictures so I only have one.   I would rate the areas we rode as good but not excellent as I know how much better it can be.   As for Hodges, I will be checking out that area tomorrow and will post another update.  For now since I don’t know, I have to leave Hodges as poor but likely has improved.