MBNA is a non-profit organization supported by its members, other community contributors, and grants. We operate under a Challenge Cost Share Agreement with the U.S. Forest but are entirely responsible for the grooming of the Nordic ski trails at the Happy Jack area. Tax deductible memberships and donations are vital for covering administrative costs such as insurance, mailings, and the web site where we post information about trail conditions and events. They also help pay for grooming of the ski trails, which is done entirely by MBNA.
NEWS
It's a Wrap: Thanks for Another Great Ski Season
While it was an unusual year in many ways, the trails at Happy Jack still saw lots of skiers this winter. Thanks to everyone--our groomers, our board, and our members and donors--for a great season! Hope everyone has a great summer, and we'll see you all next season.
While it was an unusual year in many ways, the trails at Happy Jack still saw lots of skiers this winter. Thanks to everyone--our groomers, our board, and our members and donors--for a great season! Hope everyone has a great summer, and we'll see you all next season.
Spring Conditions
3/7/2021: What a difference a week makes! The Happy Jack ski trails have gone from having full coverage to full-on spring conditions. Expect anything from freshly groomed corduroy to icy patches to slush to bare spots, all in one outing. There is still fun to be had, but be aware of changing conditions. More snow and cooler temps are in the forecast, so hopefully that will help with coverage and keep us on our skis for at least a while longer.
3/7/2021: What a difference a week makes! The Happy Jack ski trails have gone from having full coverage to full-on spring conditions. Expect anything from freshly groomed corduroy to icy patches to slush to bare spots, all in one outing. There is still fun to be had, but be aware of changing conditions. More snow and cooler temps are in the forecast, so hopefully that will help with coverage and keep us on our skis for at least a while longer.
Second Pole Mountain Gateways virtual public meeting scheduled for March 4
MBNA is sharing this USFS news release about the upcoming Pole Mountain Gateways meeting:
Users asked to share values and vision for the Pole Mountain unit
Laramie, Wyo., February 19, 2021— In partnership with the University of Wyoming Ruckelshaus Institute, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is pleased to host the Pole Mountain Gateways Virtual Public Engagement Meeting on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. This meeting is the second in a series of virtual events held to gather public input on the Pole Mountain Unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest in advance of a broad-scale Forest Service planning project for nonmotorized recreation. Interested members of the public are asked to register in advance using an online form.
This Virtual Public Engagement Meeting will provide opportunities for the public to interact with each other and staff from the Ruckelshaus Institute and the Forest Service. Small group discussions will focus on attendees’ values and vision for the Pole Mountain Unit, as well as areas of opportunity. In virtual small groups, attendees will be able to provide feedback and suggestions for trails, facilities, parking, signage, and other aspects of nonmotorized recreation in a facilitated roundtable discussion
These discussions will build on user data collected online over the last nine months. All feedback will be used to inform the future nonmotorized recreation analysis for the area. Updates on the digital storytelling gallery and submission tool will also be provided.
The Pole Mountain Gateways Project’s public involvement sessions kicked off on Jan. 28 with an Informational Webinar hosted via Zoom. For individuals who were unable to attend, a recording of the webinar is available to learn about the project, and listen to a Q&A with Ruckelshaus and Laramie Ranger District staff.
Additional resources informing the project include an interactive data collection website that hosts a submission tool for user reports and a digital storytelling gallery. Interested individuals can also join the project’s Facebook group and receive notifications regarding project updates.
For details on the Pole Mountain area, contact the Laramie Ranger District at (307) 745-2300. Additional information may be found on our website or you can follow the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland on Twitter, @FS_MBRTB.
MBNA is sharing this USFS news release about the upcoming Pole Mountain Gateways meeting:
Users asked to share values and vision for the Pole Mountain unit
Laramie, Wyo., February 19, 2021— In partnership with the University of Wyoming Ruckelshaus Institute, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service is pleased to host the Pole Mountain Gateways Virtual Public Engagement Meeting on Thursday, March 4 at 5:30 p.m. This meeting is the second in a series of virtual events held to gather public input on the Pole Mountain Unit of the Medicine Bow National Forest in advance of a broad-scale Forest Service planning project for nonmotorized recreation. Interested members of the public are asked to register in advance using an online form.
This Virtual Public Engagement Meeting will provide opportunities for the public to interact with each other and staff from the Ruckelshaus Institute and the Forest Service. Small group discussions will focus on attendees’ values and vision for the Pole Mountain Unit, as well as areas of opportunity. In virtual small groups, attendees will be able to provide feedback and suggestions for trails, facilities, parking, signage, and other aspects of nonmotorized recreation in a facilitated roundtable discussion
These discussions will build on user data collected online over the last nine months. All feedback will be used to inform the future nonmotorized recreation analysis for the area. Updates on the digital storytelling gallery and submission tool will also be provided.
The Pole Mountain Gateways Project’s public involvement sessions kicked off on Jan. 28 with an Informational Webinar hosted via Zoom. For individuals who were unable to attend, a recording of the webinar is available to learn about the project, and listen to a Q&A with Ruckelshaus and Laramie Ranger District staff.
Additional resources informing the project include an interactive data collection website that hosts a submission tool for user reports and a digital storytelling gallery. Interested individuals can also join the project’s Facebook group and receive notifications regarding project updates.
For details on the Pole Mountain area, contact the Laramie Ranger District at (307) 745-2300. Additional information may be found on our website or you can follow the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland on Twitter, @FS_MBRTB.
Grooming Update: Now that it's almost March we finally have enough snow to groom!
The last week has been kind to Happy Jack snow-wise, and our groomers have been able to go over the trails with the Ginzu groomer. They've even set classic tracks on trails with enough snow. Never mind that it's almost March, it is finally winter! So get out and enjoy the trails, and of course keep doing your snow dances so we can keep the season going. Have fun!
The last week has been kind to Happy Jack snow-wise, and our groomers have been able to go over the trails with the Ginzu groomer. They've even set classic tracks on trails with enough snow. Never mind that it's almost March, it is finally winter! So get out and enjoy the trails, and of course keep doing your snow dances so we can keep the season going. Have fun!
WHAT Team Schedules Virtual Races
Happy New Year! There's not much snow up on the hills but there is some so let's go ski! The WHAT team is putting on a virtual race series at Happy Jack this year! Come out and explore a new course every other weekend. We are going to host 5 races this year, starting with the Pole Mountain Shuffle, coming up on January 16. Bring a stopwatch with you and compete in the series, or just ski the course and submit a completed course just to participate.
For more information and to register follow this link:
https://www.whatteam.org/2021-virtual-races
All race information will be posted on the website and sent out to participants via email. See you out on the trails!
-The WHAT team
Happy New Year! There's not much snow up on the hills but there is some so let's go ski! The WHAT team is putting on a virtual race series at Happy Jack this year! Come out and explore a new course every other weekend. We are going to host 5 races this year, starting with the Pole Mountain Shuffle, coming up on January 16. Bring a stopwatch with you and compete in the series, or just ski the course and submit a completed course just to participate.
For more information and to register follow this link:
https://www.whatteam.org/2021-virtual-races
All race information will be posted on the website and sent out to participants via email. See you out on the trails!
-The WHAT team
USFS 2021 Annual Parking Passes
2021 Medicine Bow-Routt Annual Day-Use Passes are now Available
The 2021 Medicine Bow-Routt Annual Day-Use Pass is now available for public purchase. Passes can be purchased at the West Laramie Fly Store for $30. The Annual Day-Use Pass is valid for one calendar year from January 1 – December 31, and is a valid substitute for day-use fees on the forests. It is honored at all day-use areas across the forests, including Fish Creek Falls, Tie City Trailhead, Happy Jack Trailhead, Chimney Park Trailhead, Corner Mountain Trailhead, and Laramie Peak Trailhead.
More information on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Annual Day-Use Pass is available on our Recreation Passes & Permits website. Information is also available on the USFS Twitter, @FS_MBRTB.
The Medicine Bow Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin offices are serving the public remotely and are available to answer questions by phone.
2021 Medicine Bow-Routt Annual Day-Use Passes are now Available
The 2021 Medicine Bow-Routt Annual Day-Use Pass is now available for public purchase. Passes can be purchased at the West Laramie Fly Store for $30. The Annual Day-Use Pass is valid for one calendar year from January 1 – December 31, and is a valid substitute for day-use fees on the forests. It is honored at all day-use areas across the forests, including Fish Creek Falls, Tie City Trailhead, Happy Jack Trailhead, Chimney Park Trailhead, Corner Mountain Trailhead, and Laramie Peak Trailhead.
More information on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests Annual Day-Use Pass is available on our Recreation Passes & Permits website. Information is also available on the USFS Twitter, @FS_MBRTB.
The Medicine Bow Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin offices are serving the public remotely and are available to answer questions by phone.
Parking on Happy Jack Road (WYO 210) is Illegal
MBNA was contacted by WYDOT on 3/30/20 to pass along the following information:
The Happy Jack Recreation Area, especially the Tie City Trailhead, has been increasing in popularity. With all the COVID-19-related event and business closures occurring right now, it's likely that the area will be even busier with folks wanting to be active outdoors.
In circumstances where the parking lot fills up with vehicles or it's full of snow, parking on Happy Jack Road (WYO 210) has become many people's go-to alternative for trailhead parking.
We have a feeling that folks are largely unaware that it is illegal to do so, even if the car is parked fully out of the travel lane. Additionally, parking on the side of the highway can potentially start forest fires in the summer and creates difficulties for snowplows trying to keep Happy Jack Road open in the winter, among other concerns.
MBNA was contacted by WYDOT on 3/30/20 to pass along the following information:
The Happy Jack Recreation Area, especially the Tie City Trailhead, has been increasing in popularity. With all the COVID-19-related event and business closures occurring right now, it's likely that the area will be even busier with folks wanting to be active outdoors.
In circumstances where the parking lot fills up with vehicles or it's full of snow, parking on Happy Jack Road (WYO 210) has become many people's go-to alternative for trailhead parking.
We have a feeling that folks are largely unaware that it is illegal to do so, even if the car is parked fully out of the travel lane. Additionally, parking on the side of the highway can potentially start forest fires in the summer and creates difficulties for snowplows trying to keep Happy Jack Road open in the winter, among other concerns.
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