Hmmm… 10 days since my last post. I like to keep the interval down to about a week, but some times there is not a lot to blog about. This post will cover a few events that have transpired recently.
It’s still cold. The story is not just the sub-zero temps, but the number of them in a row. From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
“We fell below zero once again this morning in Grand Junction, marking the 20th day this has occurred this winter season. Interestingly, looking back at the records through 1893, the most days with a minimum temperature below 0 F is 21, which occurred during the winters of 1919-20, 1924-25, 1962-63, and 1990-91. Last winter, we did not even fall below zero. Anyone else looking forward to spring?”
We have set several new low-for-the date records during this stretch as well. Mostly these have been in the 8 to 12 below range for us, but other parts of the state have hit 24 to 40 below. It’s cold outside!
As an anomaly, for several days temperatures have been higher as you go up in elevation. The Grand Valley, where we live, is suffering from an inversion. Cold air sinks into the valley and warm air rises, making places like the top of Grand Mesa (10,800 feet) warmer than Grand Junction (4,800 feet).
The answer is, of course, to go snowmobiling!
I took my Mountain Max out yesterday to the top of Grand Mesa for the first long ride of the season. My trip before Christmas ended early as heavily falling snow made it hard to follow the trails. Complete opposite this time: beautiful blue skies, groomed trails, and warm enough to not need the grip and thumb warmers.
Heading west on Land’s End Trail
Trail grooming makes snowmobile trails easy to follow and safer to ride. I was able to go for a total of 72 miles this day, a good outing for a single ride.
Approaching Land’s End lookout point from trail SP1.
The Land’s End trail is always wind-blown and the snow is not as deep as one might expect. You can see tufts of grass sticking out of the snow.
My Mountain Max near Land’s End Point
Last year (the first year I had this sled), I had a few mechanical problems that limited my number of rides. This time the sled ran perfectly.
It was a good afternoon to get out. In addition to others on snowmobiles I passed cross-country skiers, a couple people on snow shoes, and for the first time, snow-bikers. Snow-biking (aka fat tire biking) is relatively new to Colorado. Take a mountain bike, add huge balloon tires and very low gearing, and you have a bike that is capable of riding on snowmobile trails. It looks like a lot of hard, cold work, but the sport is gaining in popularity quite rapidly. Below is a stock photo of one of these rigs.
Snow-bike, also known as a fat tire bike
I had heard about them but hadn’t seen one on the trails until yesterday, when I saw a total of 4.
Today it is back to more mundane stuff, like solo grocery shopping (since Pam is still recovering from the head cold I gave her) and other household chores. Football is on this afternoon and I will take in some of the playoff action. Too bad my 2 favorite teams, the Broncos and Packers, will be watching from their homes as well.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Ah, for the days of the “Orange Crush” and later, Elway at QB; or, for the time when the Packers actually had a consistent defense…
The Ravens in the Superbowl was a surprise — one more game for Ray Lewis…
Your 72 mile snowmobile ride had me looking up mpg & fuel tank size — appears to be less than a half tank trip.
Very nice trail grooming — looks like you could “open it up” for a bit in stretches.
Also looks like the trail isn’t for those that prefer “bar-stops” every 10-15 miles, ala “biker Sundays”.
Snow biking — not even in my earlier in my life, when I was young and even more foolish…
Cold weather has hit Wisconsin — slightly above zero for today’s high (and for much of the week).
“Climate Change” — like a pendulum, with swings in both directions, though always getting warmer. ‘doubt that the cold weather brings enough snowfall to higher elevations though.
They actually make thumb warmers? WOW! I remember what it felt like to have a frozen right thumb (that’s the acceleration, right?)
You know… I really think I could like to get involved in snowmobiling! It is ONE winter “sport” that interests me. I really loved it as a kid, and know that one can be pretty comfortable if dressed properly. And at night…so quiet and beautiful. Yeah, if someone offered me a ride, I’d go! 🙂
I actually watched an entire football game; Packers vs. 49ers. That is HUGELY unusual for me! The 49ers dominated/Pack kinda sucked. So, maybe I will watch again in ten years or so.
Yes, spring will be welcome. Absolutely!
i’ve never been on a groomed trail–i think it would be wonderful! here it’s a lot of fields cross country and ditches
river riding when it’s cold enough
when i was young lots of timber riding…but i hear that has dried up with land owners closing gates for liability reasons
snow biking sounds horrific!
i think i’ll pass 🙂
you’ll have to get us a picture or video clip of that one
crazy colorado extremists!
😉