XC Trail Snow Settler?

[wooley12]

The town has acquired 100+ acres of old farm land at my back lot line. A XC Nirvana for me. They brought in a flail mower to create 5k of hiking trails and mowed the other 50 acres as a field. The snowshoe/Manaslu trail making has gotten old. I can borrow a snowmobile and, at night, with lights out, pack a trail. Anyone seen or have any plans or have ideas for a "snow settler"? Don't need to set track.

I HATE Posted signs so I hung this

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_f2TfBe5Km1s/THg7GY7WxmI/AAAAAAAABSs/FRNylSp8FF8/s640/Leaving_park_sign.jpg

[icelanticskier]

just set yer own track.

rog

[yuckster]

Right. With neither snowshoe nor manaslu, but... waxable XC skis.

To do a good job of it mechanically you'd need the specialized equipment. Snowmobile no good.

Nice sign!

[wooley12]

a "snow settler". Don't need to set track.

Fact is, settling an 8' wide trail that's about a mile long with 2"-4" skis is not fun after a few decades. I pack as much as I can to keep it longer in the spring or January thaw. Looking for more days with a little wind in my hair as I stride, skate and double pole. Good for clearing my head. I keep thinking of a 3' in circumference, 3' wide snowfence roller pulled by a machine.

The August heat has me dreaming.

[PWDR8S]

I built one with some buds up this way out of an old bed frame.... We welded the angle iron together to create a step frame where you could rest cinder blocks on top for added weight. Drilled holes in the front for the tow rope. Heck.... I'll just go take some pictures of it and post it and you can see what I mean. Works really well as a drag for smoothing snowmo trails. You could add 'skis' for grooving the track if that's your groove(pun so intended! :p ).

Just a little creative tinkering can lead to surprising results! http://www.techsourceconsultants.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10020/idea.gif

[wooley12]

Thanks. I'd like to see your pictures when you get the time.