Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club worked diligently last summer with several local groups, both public and private, to secure a new groomer for area trails. The equipment got its first use in January. Groomers typically cost around $35,000, so the club teamed with the City of Hancock, Portage Health Foundation and the UP Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Fund on the purchase.
Treasurer John Diebel says that there are many spots on the trails that are miles from access points along state and county highways. Due to the remote nature of the work, grooming equipment must be replaced before it gets to the stage where breakdowns become frequent. The average useful life is around six years.
Diebel says the new equipment is needed now more than ever as repairs from flood damage in the Swedetown Gorge are expected to be completed this summer.
There are still some trails leading into the gorge that remain open, but Diebel says it is not easy to gain access to the picturesque area. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be overseeing the work. Next winter, there will be several miles of additional paths to maintain.
Photo courtesy of Michael Babcock from the Portage Health Foundation.
