American Birkebeiner

New Equipment

We’re fortunate to be able to purchase some new trail equipment this year. We are replacing our five year old trail mower that the trail has just worn out. Think of it, 86K of Birkie, Birkie Classic and Kortelopet trail at an average of 4 passes at 5K per hour or 344K and almost 70 hours per mowing. We’ll start mowing within the next few days and again mow the trails in September before the Fat Tire Festival and our Trail Run event.

We are replacing our older Pisten Bully with a new PB 100 Pisten Bully capable of setting three classic tracks independently (also upgrading our other PB to do the same), complete with a front end renovator to more efficiently till a hard packed, or icy base.

We’ve heard that the Ginzu light weight groomer, manufactured by Yellowstone Track Systems, West Yellowstone, MT, works well and will be purchasing one to go along with our exiting Tidd-Tech G2s. This light equipment helps the heavy grooming load we face with the Pisten Bullys.

Trail Work

We plan to construct a small warming shelter and storage building at the Boedecker Food Station area located at 18K on the Birkie Trail. The small shelter will include either a fireplace or wood stove. It will be a great addition for the increasingly popular OO to Boedecker 10K loop using the Birkie and Birkie Classic Trails.

The structure will also include a 12’ X 14’ secure storage room where we will keep event equipment including our stainless steel water tanks, food station tables, medical tent floors and signage. Having the equipment stored on site will reduce our transport costs and resulting damage significantly. We are awaiting approval of the plan by the Sawyer County Board as this site and 80% of our trails are on Bayfield and Sawyer County forest lands.

We will evaluate use of the shelter and proceed to construct similar shelters at Timber Trail (9K) and Mosquito Brook (38K) if successful. We hope to construct smaller, simpler structures made up of the storage area with an extended roof over a picnic table to provide some shelter and a rest stop at the other food station areas in the future.

Trail Budget

Our Trail budget for 2010-2011 is $145,000. The trail work and equipment is expensive, but needed to bring you the quality of trail you enjoy. A portion of our trail expenses are covered by the ski trail fees and donations, which we greatly appreciate. The Birkie Trail Friends program also helps us significantly. You, your family or a group of your friends can get together and sponsor a kilometer on the trail system. Birkie Trail Friends have already sponsored many Birkie and Birkie Classic Trail kilometers, but several Ks still need sponsors. More information about becoming a Birkie Trail Friend is available here. Birkie is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible, so please consider helping.

We are scheduling a volunteer work morning on the Birkie Trail for Saturday, July 17, from 8:30 AM until noon, meeting at the OO warming building. This is your opportunity to help out and maintain the trail you love! We will be going out in groups to remove debris from the trail where tree limbing work will be done. We may also be working on other portions of the trail where we’re making repairs. All you need bring is a water bottle (and holder) and gloves. Let us know if you’re interested by calling the Birkie office or emailing ned@birkie.com.

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation maintains 88 kilometers of trail including the Birkie, Birkie Classic, lighted loops and portions of the Korte trail at an annual cost of over $130,000.

The Birkie trail was built for all cross-country skiers, hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers. Donations to help cover the annual maintenance costs are welcome. You can help with a personal donation which is tax deductible.

Sponsoring a K-marker as a Birkie Trail Friend is another way to help us maintain the trail. Again, all trail donations are tax deductible and all donations will be solely used to maintain the Birkie Trail system.

Please consider supporting the maintenance of the Birkie Trail.  All you need do is mail your donation check payable to "ABSF" to:

ABSF
PO Box 911
Hayward WI 54843

Add a note that it’s for the Trail Fund.
Thanks for your consideration!

Trail Report for April 26, 2010 

The Birkie, Birkie Classic and Kortelopet trails have dried out and are open to hiking, running and mountain bike. We are starting trail work so always enjoy the trail with caution.

------ 

Annual trail passes are available at local ski shops and at the Birkie office, as well as at all trail heads. Please help us take care of this great trail system.

Become a Birkie Trail Friend and sponsor a K on the trail. Your contribution is tax deductible. More info is available on this website or by calling the Birkie office at 715-634-5025.

Let us know if you encounter any trail problems when you next visit the great Birkie Trail system. Also contact us at ned@birkie.com if you would like to receive notices of trail work days.

Stay Fit and see you on the Trails! 

Carpe Skiem! is the monthly ezine of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. The ezine provides information on the latest Birkie News, fitness articles and inspirational stories. Sign Up Now!

Last weekend volunteers assisted Executive Director, Ned Zuelsdorff and Birkie Trail Supervisor, Bill Pierce by clearing rocks from the newly expanded portion of the north parking lot at OO.

The lot will be seeded this week and will be available for recreation later this summer. During the winter it will serve as a much needed expansion to the parking area at the busy trail head.

Thanks to all of the volunteers who came out and helped!