Thu, May 22 2025 - Big Mountain Warmup (View Original Event Details) Coordinator(s): Michael Contrada, Paul Okerberg Participants: Michael Contrada, Greg Adams, Katie Marsonette, Fred Kristin, Paul Okerberg, Jennifer Simpson, Norma Linsky, Dennis Bonawitz, Rob Norheim, Steve Watters, Melissa Jenkins, Tricia Pollett, Dan Swanson, Charlotte Jansson, Donna Gans, Jason Wilkes

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Group photo left to right: Jennifer Simpson, Paul Okerberg (kneeling), Doug Jurgens, Fred Kristin, Donna Gans, Jason Wilkes, Charlotte Jansson, Dan Swanson, Robert Norheim, Melissa Jenkins, Tricia Pollett, Greg Adams, Dane Boat, and Steve Watters (standing in the back on the walkie-talkie). Missing: Mike Contrada (photographer), Dennis Bonawitz, Norma Linsky, and Katie Marsonette.

For the combined GMS and OTHG (Over the Hill Gang) annual spring warm-up on Big Mountain, there was still snow on the upper slopes and summit, though not as much as some years. The day began in full sun, warmer than predicted, and by afternoon the clouds were building in all directions, and the wind had picked up. From the "scavenger hunt" (finding of lost items): a ski pole, a lady's new ski glove, a shiny golf ball and a cell phone.

Paul noted that it was easily 25 or more people, and like herding cats - everyone heading in different routes, different paces, different groupings - it was all fun. Some of the routes taken, as reported:

- Hiked 6 miles and descended 1500 feet (from the Big Mountain Whitefish Trailhead to Reservoir). There was no snow on the trail. The hike lasted about 3 hours.

- Hiked only on the western part. We parked at the upper bridge on Home Again and walked up Home Again and Swift Creek, down Hellroaring and Home Again. We went by Jesus a little after noon. We saw the site of the old ski cabins from the 1930's, a wheel attached to a tree, probably as part of a rope tow about 1940, as well as the goggle tree with at least 50 pairs of goggles hanging in it.

- Hiked 6 miles and ascended the Danny On trail until the snow got too bad, about1350 feet. Those Glacier Lilies were the densest patch I've ever seen.

- Hiked the Benny-Up trail to the top of lift #4. Around 1500 feet of elevation and maybe 5 miles.

- The largest group went up the east side and then right up Russ' Street to the Ant Hill and Summit House. After lunch, some returned via the Christ statue, and some went straight down the middle.

- The last group meandered east and up and kept the valley slowly receding in our hindsight while turning to the Summit House. On our descent we worked our way over to the Jesus statue and posed for our traditional photo. Our wanderings took 6 miles and 2500 feet in elevation.