Posted by jhm
on May 29, 2009, 2:11 am, in reply to "Re: What kind of XC-skiing trails are on Mt. Pinos?"
24.176.168.X
35 years ago or so there were occasional races staged by a local ski patrol group. The races were held in the area east of the parking lot on a 'track' that wound around in the woods. I can remember European guys with thick accents dressed in lycra who skied circles around me. I also remember a guy who rented out snow mobiles off a trailer.
The greatest obstacle for me in recent years has been road closure. It seems the road was cleared much more aggresively back then and it was much easier to access the top after a storm. The road is closed now more than it is open in the winter.
I don't know where you're from but Bear Valley and Yosemite (Badger Pass) up north on the west side of Sierras are nice XC ski areas with groomed/prepped trails including skate trails. You pay for a trail pass at each.
Mt Pinos, as already pointed out, is more of a primitive thing. Still fun and occasional great snow but primitive and non-competitive. I 'ski' on old school 3 pin mid-width fishscale tour skis. On a nice day, the view from the summit is well worth the effort.
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