They shut down hill access while they re-graded the main access road that runs from Rocket base, up Pluto's (next to lift line), takes a left and runs up Galaxy to the top of the Valley Lift & then follows Moonwalk across & up the hill to the Rocket Lift top station. This is the first Top to Bottom route opened each season.
The work is complete & hill access is restored for hikers.
The job serves a number of purposes:
- Repair of cumulative erosion brings the trail closer to a consistent grade that will cover quicker with manmade snow.
- The road itself needs to be close to flat so that heavy equipment can access the Rocket's upper terminal, the HSQ lift has been running for 10 years at Crotched & is due for scheduled TLC.
- The tighter parts of upper Moonwalk have been somewhat flattened to make them easier to cover & friendlier to all level skiers.
Brush and trees on the Moonwalk to Milkyway transition area (hard left near top of Pluto's Plunge) have been cut back extensively with hopes to make that turn and runout friendlier if time permits.
They also hope to put additional emphases on maintenance of the snowmaking system.
The priorities seem to reflect an expectation of less help from mother nature getting open early and staying open all season.
