Since this trip was cancelled last year because there was no snow, it felt good to return to the environs of the Black Forest. For the first time we stayed at the Black Forest Inn. This property was recently renovated and expanded with a ten-room motel wing by new owners, Carol and George Todd. You can pick up the ski trail system just beyond their parking lot.

On Saturday morning the weather was beautiful, with blue skies and temperatures in the mid twenties. We broke into a couple of groups, depending on ability and ambition. The largest group opted to ski the Sentiero DiShay Trail. We entered the western leg of the trail to ski north with the intention of eventually crossing the road and returning to the Inn on the eastern leg of the trail. Although there was snow to ski, cover was marginal in the tracks on south facing and open areas. Looking for better snow cover, we crossed to the east side of the road. We did find better cover, but it was still spotty in some sections. Along the way, we passed a spot where Dick Ruben had seen a bared owl a couple of weeks earlier. Sure enough, we watched the owl and it watched us while we stood or sat in the sun, eating our lunches. Skiing the rest of 6 ½ miles, we arrived back at the Inn.

Others in the group had used skis, snowshoes or boots to explore the Pine Bog and the George and Ruth Wills Trails, as well as the northwest section of the Sentiero DiShay Trail. They reported that most areas had decent snow cover, but that you had to watch your step while you admired the scenery.

Later that afternoon, a few of the more ambitious skiers drove north, just into Potter County, to try their luck with the Francis X. Kennedy Trail (ex-Highland Hardwood Trail). Their luck was very good! All but a half mile of the 4.7 mile loop had excellent cover. We were reminded of an old lesson about snow in this area … If you really want snow, go to Potter County! All enjoyed “happy hour” in Bill & Sandy’s room and, eventually, dinner at the Inn.

After breakfast at the Inn, included in the cost of our rooms and served by George, we decided on a course of action. One group skied the northwest portion of the Sentiero DiShay Trail counter-clockwise and then in and out the western portion of the Francis X. Kennedy Trail. The other group skied the northwest portion of the Sentiero DiShay Trail clockwise and then skied in to visit Bernie’s cousin who lives in the area and maintains the ski trails. Bill and Liv, meanwhile, snowshoed the laurel covered section of trail that is shared by the Kennedy and DiShay trails.

All had a great morning! And, we all agreed that although the snow cover could have been better, it was great to return to the Black Forest. The beautiful woods and narrow trails are inviting in an intimate sort of way.

Attendees: Bill (leader) & Sandy Stine, Dave LeRoy, Nancy Kauhl, Bernie Webber, Al Hoch, Ric Begley, Tod, Anne & Alexis Herrick, Sally Patterson, Mike Beaudet, Diana Depp, Kim Lausch and Bill & Liv Reichle. We were joined, informally, by Dick Ruben, Dick’s friends, Rob & Jeff, and Bernie Webber’s daughter and son-in-law, Jocelyn and Randy, for a total of 21 skiers.