It’s trail and slope maintenance time.

[lowangle al]

This is a good time of year to walk your local trails removing and branches and rocks that could interfere with your skiing. If you have time you could even open up some tree runs. I just remove blowdowns and mark the rum with flagging tape.

On a recent hike to a favorite spot for doing laps I came across a hazzards I didn’t expect. There is a recently dug out bears den right at the top of the hill where I turn around for the run down.

That hole went about 8 feet into the hill.

[Chisana]

Years ago was skiing in Ressurection Pass in early March on a big snow year. Was surprised to look up on the mountain by Trout Lake to see a blackie freshly dug out. Returned the next day and harvested him. He was very skinny, probably accounting for his being out of his den so early. Still, pretty damn good eating and a beautiful hide.
That would have been about '89, when each time Redoubt the volcano kept erupting,and it was almost as if the clouds were being seeded. Biggest snow year in my memory.

[EileeZk]

The first step is to make sure it is not a mine shaft. If you have the time and can't find any information about it on the internet, take a hike around it and see if you can find any tunnels or holes leading out of it. It might be a cave. Report it to the proper authorities. Never go into a cave unless you're an expert spelunker, have been properly trained and equipped, and have a buddy. Once you figure out it is a bear's den, you'll want to make sure that the bear doesn't think that you are going to harm its cubs by entering the den. Bears in general, and grizzlies in particular, are generally not aggressive if you keep your distance. They are very shy of people and will try and avoid contact with people whenever possible, so if you are in the wilds, you never want to surprise a bear. Prevention is the best way to avoid this situation. Don't hike or ride your bike or horse in areas with steep drop-offs or cliffs. If you do, watch out for bear dens. Never go into the den and never engage with the bear. They don't see you as a person, they see you as a threat, so you want to be able to convince them that you are not a threat.

[corlay]

great advice.

Last Fall, I cleared and marked my normal "loop" in the woods nearby my house,
and it really made the ski season that much more enjoyable.

Normally, I spend the first few turs trying to remember my route, and picking my way through woodlands and brambles.

last year, it was "go-time" from day 01.
Felt like a luxury...

[lowangle al]

The first step is to make sure it is not a mine shaft. If you have the time and can't find any information about it on the internet, take a hike around it and see if you can find any tunnels or holes leading out of it. It might be a cave. Report it to the proper authorities. Never go into a cave unless you're an expert spelunker, have been properly trained and equipped, and have a buddy. Once you figure out it is a bear's den, you'll want to make sure that the bear doesn't think that you are going to harm its cubs by entering the den. Bears in general, and grizzlies in particular, are generally not aggressive if you keep your distance. They are very shy of people and will try and avoid contact with people whenever possible, so if you are in the wilds, you never want to surprise a bear. Prevention is the best way to avoid this situation. Don't hike or ride your bike or horse in areas with steep drop-offs or cliffs. If you do, watch out for bear dens. Never go into the den and never engage with the bear. They don't see you as a person, they see you as a threat, so you want to be able to convince them that you are not a threat.

Thanks for the advice. Although there are lots of mines around here that's not one of them. That was a fresh dug hole that wasn't there last spring. I'm no stranger to bears, I spent over thirty years in grizzly country. Like you said they are shy but you never know when one will get aggressive, so I'll be skiing with a .357. That's in Pa. ,thirty years in Ak. and I never even thought about taking a gun, and I've seen grizzly tracks out skiing in the early season. My thinking is that Ak bears are sounder sleepers.

[lowangle al]

great advice.

Last Fall, I cleared and marked my normal "loop" in the woods nearby my house,
and it really made the ski season that much more enjoyable.

Normally, I spend the first few turs trying to remember my route, and picking my way through woodlands and brambles.

last year, it was "go-time" from day 01.
Felt like a luxury...

It makes a big difference, especially in the woods.

[vt_trees]

My battery operated chainsaw makes light work of the oversized blowdowns that can't be moved in one piece. Quieter, lighter and no gas smell. I find two batteries is more than enough for an outing of trail work.

[lowangle al]

My battery operated chainsaw makes light work of the oversized blowdowns that can't be moved in one piece. Quieter, lighter and no gas smell. I find two batteries is more than enough for an outing of trail work.

I guess it's fitting for a guy with the word "trees" in his name to take this seriously. That's a great idea with the chainsaw.