Skied the Bardon's peak loop Thursday night as the rain/snow started to fall. Hiked in the first steep hill, the rest of the connector trail to the parking lot was good. 98% of the trail had good skating with firm snow over the ice base and occasional small bare spots or debris, but there were some difficult to avoid bare spots on the icy downhills that will now be hidden by last nights snow. If attempting today I would be very careful on the steep downhills, a decent ice layer was forming by the time I left last night.

(David Courtright)

Magney Main and Bardon loops groomed today. No classic tracks set. Thin snow over icy base. Snow seems to be sticking to ice ok. There are a few ice patches. Use caution if venturing out.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)

Magney main loop was packed, rolled, and one groomer pass. Bardons was packed and rolled only. No classic track. Due to soft snow over very icy conditions please use extreme caution if heading out. The uphill just past the Lindahl Rd is an icy mess from equipment getting stuck. Downhills will be down to ice if folks do a lot of snowplowing.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)

Good coverage except for a few very unfortunately situated icy/bare spots on south-facing hills - watch out on the Spirit Mtn. connector and the Bardon's peak loops especially. The Ely's Peak loop was glorious.

(Tony Hoff)

Magney groomed today with a classic track all around. The grooming team asks that skiers watch out for a few ice/ slush spots.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)

Magney was rolled today, we will be back out tomorrow to groom. Started grooming this afternoon but had to stop due to the warm sun and sticky snow.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)

We skied the entire trail, following in tracks set by one or two other skiers. There is approximately 4" of new snow from Saturday/Sunday. It appears that most of the base is still there, icy of course, but very skiable with the powder from last night.

Photos:

(Jan Hille)

Magney had several small bare spots and a few exposed rocks. Otherwise coverage was good, and the trail could have been in much better shape (minus footprints, plus grooming). The access trail and Bardon's Peak loop had two prominent sets of human footprints throughout. There was also a faint bike track on most of the trail. When I was leaving I saw a car drive in with skiers and a dog, so now there are probably dog footprints too (it was getting soft by then). I was glad to be skiing, at least, and have high hopes that winter will return before spring arrives for real.

Photos:

(Anne Flueckiger)

Lots of tree debris on the trail, icy underneath. The skate deck seemed better as far as ice, some thin snow on top to work with. Skiable for some, but watch out for oak leaves.

(Annette Hofslund)

Magney groomed today but not finished due to warm weather. Bardon's and Ely Loop are done. Main loop and connector will be finished tomorrow. Trail is holding together fairly well at this point.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)