News

January 1, 2020

Ski Trails: Groomed and Waiting

Judy Fuhr and David Trithart

Features of some cross-country skiing sites make them good choices for beginners. Well-marked trails and equipment available for rent, or even free, are two that recommend the areas described below. They are also great places for experienced skiers.

Trail improvements at Higley

Thanks to Henry Sieg, park superintendent at Higley Flow State Park in S. Colton, for dedicating time and resources to trail improvements this fall. The biggest deterrent to early skiing and grooming on the Warm Brook Trail has been the number of rocks exposed on the trail. Many rocks were removed from the trail this fall by Tim Pearl assisted by Ed Fuhr making it more user friendly in all seasons. There was one sharp turn at the bottom of a steep section which has been modified to make it more skiable. The Raquette Ridge trail, also referred to as the training loop, was rerouted in a couple of spots and sections of the surface leveled where the trail was on a slope. Higley Friends purchased a 30-ton load of wood chips from Curran Logging. These chips were hauled primarily to the Raquette Ridge trail and Warm Brook Trail with lesser amounts to other trails using the Park’s Gators.

This year’s Trail Day in early Nov. saw 54+ volunteers spreading 30 tons of woodchips, picking up blowdown, cutting back encroaching brush and putting out signs among other tasks.

Trails are open until sundown, and until 8pm on days when a “host” is at the Trails Lodge (see below). Ski and snowshoe rentals are $7 for adults and free to children under 12.

Night Skiing at Higley

On Tuesday and Thursday nights, when conditions are suitable, come ski the Higley trails by head lamp. The lodge and trails are open until 8:00 on ski nights. Some come to ski, some to snowshoe, and some just to enjoy the lodge and to socialize.

Let there be light!!

Higley Park has purchased motion lights for the E-Z trail and hopes to install them for this winter’s season. This will give skiers a lighted loop for night skiing and snowshoeing.

Nicandri Nature Center

Located on the St Lawrence River north of Massena, this facility offers a lot to those looking to explore nature. Snowshoeing & cross-country skiing are winter attractions here.

At the Massena Nature Center, you can come out and enjoy a day of fun on the snowshoeing and cross-country ski trails and take in nature in winter. There are also interesting indoor exhibits, comfortable gathering spaces, and nature-related programs.

The Nature Center has snowshoes and cross country skis available for public use. Equipment is free. Trails are mainly flat. Some follow the riverside.

Regular hours are 9 am to 5 pm - Wed. through Sun. Get directions and confirm hours when the Nature Center is open at https://massenanaturecenter.com.

Our New Year Party and Potluck will be held here on Jan. 4 - see “Outings.”

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