Cross-country Skiing Part III

At the Glenelg trails there's one offshoot that goes through a dense swamp.  It's downright spooky, reminding me of middle earth as you follow the winding trails.  This is not a place you can glide along quickly!

You enter this group of trails by descending a fast trail with a sharp corner at the bottom where you come out into a meadow.  You can see the light of the open field at the end of this ski run.  It's like a price you pay for the chance to access the swamp.

After crossing the meadow you enter the first section of the swamp, a dense forest that had snow everywhere on this day.

There were openings into the black water in places, but bridges kept you dry.

After passing through the first bit of swamp the trail rose a bit and you were in a mature Red Pine plantation (actually this is in need of thinning).  There were a couple of loops here that added more length if you wanted.

Then it was back into the swamp on a narrow winding trail.  This is where I got the feeling I was in middle earth!

More of middle earth!

Then you worked your way back up the hills you initially came down and you were back into the hardwood forest.  From there the groomed trail led you back to the entrance.  All the trails I've described provided such variety; it was great.

I hope you haven't minded the repeated posts on skiing.  While I've been writing them I've been out there skiing them in my mind, a refreshing winter outing.