Crosscountry fan carving legacy in Blue Mountains snow

Doug Eier is sweetening his pitch to establish a system of groomed cross-country skiing trails in the Blue Mountains near Pomeroy.

Four years ago Eier made known his desire to form a volunteer group that would partner with the Umatilla National Forest and the Washington Department of Recreation to groom trails on Stevens Ridge near the Rose Spring Sno-Park. The plan, which would involve grooming a small system of summertime all-terrain-vehicle trails, never got off the ground.

Now, Eier said he is willing to commit substantial resources to the project. The 77-year-old retiree, who lives at Baker's Pond, a rural subdivision near the northern boundary of the forest, wants to establish a trust that would pay for maintenance of trail-grooming equipment far into the future and also the care of his cabin home, which would be converted into a nonprofit Nordic ski lodge after his death.

His Honda ATV and a Polaris Razor side-by-side, both of which have been converted to run on snowmobile-like tracks during the winter, could be used to groom trails. But Eier also said he is willing to invest in a larger grooming machine if needed.

"I want to establish a nonprofit group with a willingness to groom trails, and I'll supply the groomer," he said.

Eier has had initial discussions with the Forest Service. Pomeroy District Ranger Monte Fujishin said the agency is open to the idea, which would expand winter recreation in the area.

"I think it's possible," he said. "I told Doug I don't have a bunch of extra money or resources or capacity to put it together but if he would like to volunteer, I would do everything in my power to assist and maybe help with some signage."

Eier's three-story cabin has 2,600 square feet and comes with about 15 to 20 pairs of cross-country skis, boots and poles. To get the venture off the ground, Eier is looking for volunteers willing to both groom trails and run the lodge, as well as people interested in serving on a foundation that would run the trust.

Last year, he lost his wife Marian to cancer. Looking at actuary tables, Eier figures he has a maximum life expectancy of about 10 years. He wants to use the couple's investments to do a little bit of traveling but also to fund the sort of activity that he and Marian enjoyed.

"I want to keep the Eier name on it," he said of the trust. "It's my legacy."

Eier may be contacted at (509) 843-8264.