Part III - The Boutwell Hill Ski Club
Transforming portions of the Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail system and logging roads into a 3.4 mile collection of groomed skate and classic cross-country trails was a performed by a team of committed volunteers. The trail lineage has since grown to 5 miles, 10 when factoring in the adjacent ungroomed town and state forest roads.
The initial trail building process was labor-intensive with primary concern being cutting and clearing out large logs from newly logged areas. About three outings were devoted to such work. Then it came time to cut brush and remove diseased and nuisance tree species. Next, wet spots had to be drained and corduroy needed to be lain to provide a solid base for the looming snowfall.
One of the largest feats was the construction of a 30-foot bridge to allow access to the Homestead Loop trail from Arab Hill Road. The bridge crosses a creek and small ravine.
BHSC uses a work sled, a roller, a groomer/tracksetter and a single track setter to prep all the trails for use. An important message to communicate with skiers is that while the trails are groomed, they are not guaranteed to be freshly groomed. They can always be counted on to be skiable, providing weather conditions are favorable. The main priority is to maintain the base layer.
Boutwell Hill Ski Club is always looking for more volunteers. To get involved or make a donation, please visit their website: https://boutwellxc.wordpress.com/
To read more about Chautauqua County's 75 miles of Cross-Country Skiing Trails, click here.