Skiing? Yes!

The snow is really starting to pile up at Chief Joseph Pass. There is over 2 feet on the ground and the DOT has plowed out the parking lot. We are still a few weeks away from starting to groom, but many trails already have tracks skied in, and it should be great conditions for ski touring this weekend.

If you are out skiing on a trail that already has tracks, please consider skiing in a second set of tracks a few feet over. This makes the initial grooming much easier, as the snowmobiles are able to stay up on the ski tracks.

There are downed trees on many trails right now, so use caution, especially while skiing downhill. Several trails still have open water, including Banshee, Joseph Creek and Whoopee. These trees will be cleared by our grooming crews once grooming starts.

The Gordon Reese Cabin is not open for day use, but will be open when our season officially starts on December 1.

Dogs are allowed on trails until the end of November, but please pick up after your dog. Please remember that many users of the Gordon Reese Cabin melt snow for water, so please avoid getting dog waste in the snow in that area.

Snow!

Chief Joseph Pass has received 2 feet of snow since friday, and most trails have enough snow for skiing. The parking lot has not been plowed(as of noon Sunday), so be prepared to park along the highway, and bring a shovel.

We are still a few weeks away from starting to groom, but with the current snow, and the forecast for the next week we are on track to be able to groom most trails late November.

It is currently hunting season, and there have been many elk hunters in the area, so wearing orange is recommended.

Cabin Reservations open November 1

Reservations for the Gordon Reese Cabin open tomorrow(November 1) morning at 8 am. Reservations can be made on recreation.gov. The USFS has increase the price to $75 per night. Tuesday and Friday nights are reserved for volunteers, and those nights can be booked by calling the Wisdom ranger station.

The Gordon Reese Cabin is managed by the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest. The Bitterroot Cross Country Ski Club assists with cabin maintenance, maintains the ski trails, and provides trail grooming in partnership with the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest and Lost Trail Powder Mountain. None of the funds from the cabin go to the ski club, so if you enjoy staying at the cabin please also consider making a donation to the ski club to help fund trail grooming.

Como Trails work day, October 29

On Saturday October 29 we will be having our annual work day to get the Como Ski Trails ready for winter. We will be pruning brush to clear trails for grooming. We will meet at 9 am at the 550/550a junction, just above the boat ramp, split into a few groups and head out. Stay for a few hours, or all day.
If you have a hand saw or loppers bring them, but we will also supply tools.

Chief Joseph Pass work day, October 15

On Saturday October 15 we will be having our annual work day to get the Chief Joseph Pass ski are ready for winter. We will be stacking firewood in the cabin and clearing trails. We will meet at 9 am, split into a few groups and head out. Stay for a few hours, or all day.

If you would like to work on clearing trails and have a hand saw or loppers bring them, but we will also supply tools.