The Luminary Loppet (Mpls) and Book Across The Bay (Ashland, Wi)

This February I participated in 2 classic winter X/C-ski events: the Luminary Loppet on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis on Feb 5 and the Book Across the Bay on Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay between Ashland and Washburn, WI on Feb 19. I decided to report on these events together for several reasons.  The events are both on Saturday evenings in February, they have been getting more and more popular the past 5 years, registration is required (this means $), the routes are  lit with hundreds of luminaries, several thousand people participate, including many families, and there is a tent party after each event.  This was the first time I participated in either and I have pictures of neither, but the respective websites have many good pictures.

When you register for the Loppet, you are required to pick a start time on the 1/2 hour between 6PM and 8:30PM.  The intent is to spread people out over the course. The color of your bib indicates your selected start time. I observed, however, that there was no one 'starting' people for the respective heats and that people just filtered onto the course whenever they were ready. I started about 30-45 minutes before my proper start time.

The conditions for the Loppet were ideal - mild temperatures and great snow conditions -- a very pleasant evening that was a nice respite from a long winter. The course distance was about 3 miles. In addition to the several thousand registered, it seemed as if all residents from the surrounding neighborhoods were converging onto Lake of the Isles.  I estimate that 30% of those I saw were not registered as they wore no bib.  There were many people walking and snowshoeing over the groomed classic tracks. People would consistently stand and loiter on the track. Some people were skiing against the grain  -- imagine a car going the wrong way on the interstate in rush hour and you get the idea. 

The Book Across the Bay was very similar except that the skiing conditions were very icy.  Some warm weather earlier in the week had melted off most of the snow from Chequamegon Bay, leaving  hard ice. The race organizers did a heroic job of trying to preparing a skiable track across the lake. Like the Loppet, the hundreds of walkers and snowshoers managed to often block the ski course the entire 10K.  There was a huge bonfire every K where water and snacks were served and fire works were being launched from Washburn much the way, a unique experience, what a great idea!  However, Cristin and I both fell at least once and we struggled with the icy surface the entire course. Upon completing the one-way course  at Washburn, the surging and clueless crowd made even taking our skis off a challenge. The streets of this small town were seriously gridlocked with traffic, and Cristin slipped and fell hard while walking back to the car,   both the gridlock and her fall a fittingly frustrating conclusion to the event.  

In summary, both of these events are very unique and have all the elements that have made them noteworthy and memorable winter classics. However, they both were SO terribly over crowded with several thousands of people that I will not participate in them again.  I am sure 5 years ago I would really enjoyed these events - all else was equal except the crowds. I now know that I much prefer mellower organized events or even just a quiet ski on one of the many excellent trails we have available to us.

Bayfield Ice Caves - February 2011

We were in the Bayfield area President's Day weekend to participate in the Book Across the Bay X/C ski event that Saturday evening, as I describe in a related blog. Earlier that day Cristin and I had the opportunity to hike the Lakeside Trail that offers views of the mainland sea caves near Cornucopia, Wi. They are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.  The Park Service describes this trail "as a rugged path for use by experienced hikers, with stream crossings and steep slopes along the way". Alright!   

North Shore Skiing, February 2011

On the weekend of February 11-13, six Rovers spent the weekend on the North Shore. We stayed at a super deluxe townhouse in Beaver Bay just off the shore of Lake Superior. I found this rental via Vacation Rentals By Owner.  In addition to myself, those participating were John F., Luke B., Paul S., Mary Ann P., and Carmen L.  John noted that he had lived in some apartments that were smaller than the master bedroom he stayed in this weekend.

On the drive up Friday, Paul and I stopped and skied at the Two Harbors Ski trail, a townie trail about 1 mile from MN Hwy 61.  Nice system! 

(l to r) Luke, Mary Ann, Carmen, John, Paul

On Saturday AM, we all headed to the Northwoods Trail system that is just outside of Silver Bay.  It links up with Tettegouche State Park trail system.  Both systems feature single track classic trails in a classic north woods setting. The conditions were nearly perfect, temps in the mid-20s, calm winds, great snow coverage.  The only minor complaints were that the pole planting was very soft and in the pines on the Northwoods trail there was lots of litter of needles, bark, and pine cones, which gummed up Mary Ann's wax skis.

Jack on the Palisade Valley Trail

We skied 10K from the Northwoods trail head to Tettegouche Camp via Palisade Valley.  I had never skied this trail; it was outstanding. I did not feel like I was in Minnesota as there were steep ridges on either side of the trail. Spectacular.  We generally climbed, as several short but steep uphills were encountered but the majority of the mileage was more level.

We took a lunch break at Tettegouche Camp, which has a large enclosed log cabin style shelter with a wood burning Franklin Stove.     Luke and Carmen fetched some wood and started a fire. We then headed back to Northwoods, backtracking thru the Palisade Valley.  Now we were hitting the downhills, which provided several fun and exciting moments.

When we hooked back up with the Northwoods system, five of us decided to take Herringbone Hill, which is very steep up and a fast,long ride down.  One of our party decided to take the longer but more gentle bypass trail.  We then headed back to the parking lot, completing a 20K+ day of skiing.

When we got back to the townhouse, most took advantage of the sauna located in a nearby building.  We then had a nice dinner and later relaxed with one of Carmen's scrabble-like board games and a wood fire.

We departed the townhouse by 10AM Sunday, after enjoying Carmen's egg bake and fresh hot bread, and we all headed to Gooseberry Falls State Park for some skiing. We started at the Visitor Center and skied a short loop down to Lake Superior. We took off our skis and walked around the lake shore near the Lady Slipper pinnic shelter and Picnic Point.

Paul on the shoreline of Lake Superior at Gooseberry Falls SP

It was very mild, temperature in the low 30's, no wind, low clouds, and gray as can be everywhere one looked.  The sky, lake, and snow all appeared the same dismal gray color. None of us had much energy and we soon departed for home.

We all had a great time and lived the life of luxury for 2 days for a cost of about only $110 for 2 nights lodging, 2 breakfast, 2 bag lunches, and dinner Saturday.  It was so much fun we talked about a reunion trip in 2012!

The images from Palisade Valley are etched into my memory -- that is one cool place and I can't believe I hadn't been there before now!