Knickers & Kickers
Cross country skiing is as popular as it ever has been and the Bertram Lakes property will again be a popular spot for the sport and related recreation. Yes, I said again. There was a time in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s when the property was the home location for an area club known as the Knickers & Kickers of Monticello
Cooperation between the club and the YMCA created 4 ski trails throughout the property. The first trail was the Bertram Lakes Trail which followed a track around the lake. The second trail started at the Chalet, followed around the east side of Bertram to the old Day Camp, then cut back and followed the Esker along the west side of Long Lake then back to the Chalet. The third trail went along the east side of Bertram then through the Day Camp, hooked up with the horse trail, followed it around the east side of Long, crossed over Otter Creek, then followed the north ridge back to the Chalet. The fourth was the longest trail going east from the Chalet, along the north side of Mud and First lakes, followed through the pine forest near County 39 and back to the Chalet.
A fifth trail was built through the Esker. This trail was known as the Short & Snappy Trail because of the constant up and down of the terrain. It lived up to it’s name.
All of the trails (except Short & Snappy) were groomed by the YMCA in the winter and brushed by the YMCA with the help of the Knickers & Kickers Club members in the summer and fall.
A large map of the trails and their lengths (in miles) was posted at the entrance for any skier who would like to use them.
It’s nice to know that in the future the Bertram Lakes Regional Park will again provide the opportunity for this sport.
And……. Yes….. I was a Kicker who wore Knickers.
