Cross-Country Trails Iced Mount Spokane Also Closes Snowmobiling Runs Because Of Falling Trees

Danger from falling trees forced officials to close all snowmobiling and cross-country skiing trails at Mount Spokane State Park on Tuesday.

“In two days, our workers and volunteers have cleared at least 200 trees off the trails,” said Pete Wood, park manager. “There’s probably another 200 trees down.”

Wood was using the outside pay-phone at Selkirk Lodge, the base for most cross-country skiing at Mount Spokane.

“You can stand here and listen to the trees snapping,” he said. “They’re loaded with ice and snow, and there’s a heavy, wet snow falling, which won’t help things.”

On Monday night, Will Smith, who runs the groomer for the cross-country trails, worked more than four hours to go barely 1 mile.

“He finally quit and came back when a tree fell down across the blade of the groomer,” Wood said.

The park includes about 13 miles of groomed cross-country trails and 60 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.

Power was restored to the park on Tuesday after being on and off for the past two weeks. Officials once again are providing recorded updates on a trail information hotline, 238-4025.

The Wild Moose Cup, a cross-country ski racing event for international-class athletes, is still scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Wood said.

“We’ll make every effort to get volunteers and our workers out to open up the trails,” Wood said, noting that work could resume as early as today. “But we won’t go in until it’s a little safer.”

To volunteer for trail clearing, call the park at 238-4258.

, DataTimes