Munising, MI – Nestled on the Northern edge of the Hiawatha National Forest, Valley Spur remains a popular winter destination for cross-country skiing enthusiasts, offering miles of scenic trails. Despite facing challenges this winter due to unpredictable snow conditions disrupting grooming routines, the trail system continues to provide a haven for skiers.
In an effort to promote winter sports and raise funds for a new groomer, the Friends of Valley Spur hosted a successful free family fun day on February 17th. The event featured demo skis and free rental skis from South Bay Outfitters, with volunteers on hand to assist newcomers in learning the sport. Attendees also had the opportunity to view an example of the grooming equipment that the group aims to purchase with donations.
The Friends of Valley Spur have set a goal of $280,000 to acquire a new groomer, replacing their aging Jeep Cherokees. Trail groomer John Cromell, who grooms 38.6 miles of trails each session, explained the need for the new equipment: “We need the groomer because the equipment we have is old. We have two old Jeep Cherokees, which are over 25 years old. We keep them running, but as with anything like that, there’s going to be a day they die and it’s going to be more money to put them together than they’re worth. So we’re trying to buy a piece of equipment that we can use that’s more versatile than a dedicated groomer. “
Grooming takes place daily, when the weather permits, with each session requiring 4 to 6 hours to complete. Cromell faces challenges, particularly on large hills, often getting stuck and requiring him to connect the Jeep to a large tree and winch the equipment up the hill.
To address these challenges, Valley Spur plans to invest in a large 4-wheel-drive tractor with large tracks, offering better traction in the snow and the capability to navigate the steep hills of the trail system. A tractor, Cromwell indicated, will be more versatile and allow different types of equipment to be connected winter and summer.
Peggy Carberry, a dedicated volunteer at Valley Spur for nearly 20 years, expressed satisfaction with the recent fundraising event, stating, “Today’s event was successful. We had a lot of new people coming around. Trying out skis and snowshoes. That’s what we want. We want people to get out and enjoy winter.” Peggy is very proud of the success the club has made so far, currently “about halfway to meeting our goal.”
John, another volunteer and club member, provided ski lessons during the event, to kids and new skiers. John emphasized “The goal is to get people out here and show you that you can do it.” John skillfully encouraged cross country skiing and dishing out equal amounts of encouragement.
South Bay Outfitters was onsite, setup on the porch of the lodge, providing free rental and demo skis. Ted M, owner of South Bay Outfitters, was handing out properly sized equipment to skiers. Ted’s recommendation “Just have fun!” summed up the overall feeling at Valley Spur quite nicely.
For those planning a Valley Spur adventure or seeking updates on trail conditions, the Friends of Valley Spur maintain a Facebook page and a website at www. valleyspur.org.
As winter continues to unfold, Valley Spur stands resilient, welcoming all who seek the thrill of cross-country skiing amid the beauty of the Hiawatha National Forest. You can support Valley Spur by donating online or sending a check to the Friends of Valley Spur, as the trail system’s maintenance and grooming, along with lodge operations, are funded entirely by trail passes, special events, sponsors, fundraisers, and donations.
