Syracuse.com - Delayed winter puts crimp on the cross country skiing and snowshoeing scenes

[HuntingNY-News]

Highland Forest in Fabius, a virtual winter wonderland year after year, was hurting for snow early this week on its numerous trails.

Central New York’s wacky winter weather continues to be felt by outdoors enthusiasts across the board.

Those included in that category are the cross country skiers and the snowshoers.

Highland Forest in Fabius, a virtual winter wonderland year after year, was hurting for snow early this week on its numerous trails.

“We’ve had spring-like conditions in the winter,” said park superintendent Brian Kelley. The park’s condition report early this week read “0- to 2-inch base, bare spots, icy patches. Trails have been rolled, but no track will be set until the ground freezes and base depths develop.”

Kelley said he’d like to see “a nice 8- to 10-inch base” so his staff can keep the park’s trails consistently groomed.

He said the park this year added a skate/ski trail, along with more inventory for the lodge’s shop, which rents cross country skis and snow shoes.

“Right now you can ski them, but the trails aren’t in ideal condition,” he said. “People are anxious to get out there and enjoy their thing.”

Last weekend’s snow and cold spell did offer some reprieve. I heard reports from friends who enjoyed a cross country skiing outing at Bear Swamp in Sempronius on Saturday. The Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville saw a spike in cross country skiing and snowshoeing Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus saw its first two snowshoe rentals of the year.

But that was before Tuesday’s 40-degree temperatures and heavy rains.

Hugh Quinn, owner of the Osceola Tug Hill Cross Country Ski Center, in Lewis County, said Monday that his trails continue to enjoy a 6- to 10-inch base and that cross country skiers from across the state and beyond are coming to visit.

“We’re set for the winter,” he said.

Nevertheless, it’s been “a strange year,” Quinn added.

“I saw a tree about two to three weeks ago that had buds on it.”

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog