Gromit the Trail Dog posts new photos, trail reports

Gromit the Trail Dog pursues Sandy Aronson in the fresh, deep snow at Twin Lakes State Forest on Sunday, Nov. 20. (Photos courtesy Arlyn and Sandy Aronson and Gromit, from Gromit's blog: The Trail Mutt Reports. Reprinted with permission.)

HANCOCK -- Gromit the Trail Dog has posted some new photos from October and November 2011 on her blog, The Trail Mutt Reports. She includes photos of her great romp in the deep snow at Twin Lakes State Forest on Nov. 20 as well as reports of trail work at Maasto Hiihto in Hancock -- helping Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) volunteers get the trails ready for the coming season of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Here are some excerpts from Gromit's report:

Gromit posted this photo on Nov. 5. Trail crew members include, from left, Sandy Aronson, Mark Roberts and Saurav Pathak.

On Nov. 5, Gromit writes, "Today with the irreplaceable help of Saurav Pathak and Mark Roberts, the pack and I cleared the remaining weeds in the Swedetown gorge, plus we cut many limbs and branches that had fallen onto the trail. I myself moved many sticks and saw some very, very friendly people down there. Who'd not want to be in the gorge with gorgeous weather like this!!

"Before we started today, we found the area around the storage building at Tomasi Trailhead to have been "magically" cleaned of debris...many thanks to the magician who made this happen. You may know him: his name is David Bach."

Maasto Hiihto groomer Arlyn Aronson, left, and Jonathon Rulseh with a 12-ft. drag post they planted at the Tomasi Trail Head.

"On Friday this motley crew was at the Tomasi trail head and planted a 12-ft. post there to hold the drag up and off the trail when it's not in use. Please thank Jonathon Rulseh when you see him for his gracious help," says Gromit in her Nov. 12 posting.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Hancock Chalet, skiers learn about applying pine tar to wood skis.

Gromit reports: "With the ski season upon us, Keweenaw Nordic had a Pine Tar clinic for anyone who cared to learn about that process. Since I love all skiers, I was glad to see this class offered. They seemed enthusiastic just like me!"

See more photos and read more of Gromit's comments on her blog: The Trail Mutt Reports.

To learn more about the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club and Maasto Hiihto Trails, visit their new Web site.