A new overnight trip was added to the Calendar this year — Anthony Lakes, Feb 8 to Feb 12. The trip was so popular that, after the official lodging filled up, other club members who wanted to go arranged their own lodging in Baker City. Here are some reports from both groups.
Char Newman organized the club trip, and this is her report: Great weather and beautiful views greeted us at Good Bear Ranch in Baker City and continued throughout our stay. Several inches of new snow had fallen prior to our arrival providing us with good snow conditions at Anthony Lakes. Our days were filled with trips to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for skate, classic and backcountry skiing. Meacham Divide and the Mt. Emily Sno-Park was our sun filled destination on Friday. We enjoyed reveling in the snow during the day and gathering around the large dining table each evening at our charming spacious log cabin accommodations. Good Bear Ranch is a special place and the group of CONC 16 skiers enjoyed good company and lively conversation!
Gary Elnan was part of the group that stayed in Baker City, and he had this to say about the trip: Around 26 CONC members attended a fantastic ski trip to NE Oregon on Feb. 8-12, 2023. There was an official group lodging at Good Bear Ranch and at least 2 more smaller groups lodging in Baker City and La Grande. We coordinated skiing as groups using the wonderful Nordic system at Anthony Lakes, ungroomed backcountry above the nordic trails, Mt. Emily Sno-park nordic system NE of La Grande off I-84, and a few even skied the Alpine trails at Anthony Lakes. We were graced with substantial snow the weekend before the trip and several blue-bird days during the trip. The Good Bear Ranch crew had to punt at the last minute for their catered meal plan and Char came to the rescue with great organization and delivery of delicious food. The “Baker City 8” shared dinner meal prep and couldn’t be more satisfied with healthy, delicious meals (and plenty of food). The drive and scenery was breathtaking with many snowy mountain ranges visible. I believe everyone votes for this trip to become an annual event!
