Are you planning to cross country ski after the coming historic blizzard? Stay safe out there, but I sure am. Post to the comments below if snow makes you happy!
Today, I decided to explore some new territory, especially the Putnam Trail, a straight, flat, wooded trail that eventually runs into the paved South County Trailway, at the end of Van Cortlandt Park. Though the conditions on this trail were not very good--people had been rightfully enjoying the snow by waling along it, and there footprints made the terrain uneven and the snow turned to ice overnight--it did lead me to the best skiing of the day, on the grounds of Van Cortlandt Golf Course nearby.
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| Someone else's tracks through the fairway |
While I was hesitant to venture onto the golf course, there didn't seem to be a fence and I recalled happily times sledding at Silver Lake Golf Course on Staten Island as a kid. So, I figured that if my parents thought some winter time trespassing was acceptable, I should be ok. Then I was happy to see a fellow skier's tracks, and that sealed the deal. The skiing on the course was the best of the day, as it was only tracked by occasional goose prints and the open, rolling terrain was really pleasant.
After returning to the main part of the park, I wanted to get some hill work in, so I ventured up Freshman Hill and then Vault Hill again. The hills were much tougher, up and down, due to quicker, icier conditions today. Before calling it quits, I stopped to take in the view, just above the Vault family cemetery, and caught a view of the NYC skyline, courtesy of a clear, winter sky.
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| NYC Skyline framed by my ski poles: Empire State Building & towering 432 Park Ave from Vault Hill |
All in all, it was another great day at the park. Conditions were spring-like with thin cover, and temps into the 40s by the end of my ski. In fact, I was in short sleeves for most of the day!
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| A tired but happy guy |
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