The main trail was combed today and an attempt made to set track with mixed results. No grooming is scheduled for tomorrow.

(Irv Berlin)

Thin dusting of snow over the thin ice trail. I skated from the north end cabin to the Birkie start and back. Although both the Birkie trail and north end trails were very very thin and/or and icy in spots, they weren't as bad as I'd expected them to be!

(Aubrey Ferguson)

The North End Trail was surprisingly skiable. A dusting of snow from wayward Birkie storm covered a hard crust. No tracks for classic but enough kick with hard wax over a klister base.

(Tom Held)

Still some pretty good skiing to be had on Sunday morning. The 'C' loop is getting icy and thin. The old Korte loop from Timber Trail heading North is in the best condition. Firm and icy fast with some corduroy. Things were already starting to soften up when we walked off the trail at 9:30. I reflexively used my good skis because that's what I've been on all week. And it was not a problem. However, if you plan on getting out Monday, I might suggest you use your 'B' skis just to be on the safe side.

(Andy Schwartz)

We skated out about 5km taking the A cutoff and then down to the south end.. The trail was closed just past Timber Trail Rd so we turned around and went back. The snow was slow but well groomed considering the heat. Some dirt and dead leaves were scattered about on the trail so rock skis would be best.

Photos:

(Jill Adrian)

The trails are scheduled to be groomed again tomorrow early morning. It is not anticipated new track will be set and the old track is getting shallow and icy in places. This is the last scheduled grooming until we get colder temperatures/new snow. Thanks to the many skiers that were out today and respected the closed trail sections.

(Irv Berlin)

The plan is to groom Saturday and Sunday mornings if the temperatures allow. Decisions on grooming will be on a daily basis as the thaw continues. Trails closed to skiing are marked, please respect the closures - and ski early!

(Irv Berlin)

This morning, the trails were again in fantastic condition. The skate deck is firm with a nice layer of soft snow worked up to facilitate control. There are a couple of segments of the World Cup/Tony Wise trails that aren't normally groomed but are groomed now to add some kilometers. Specifically, where the old Korte trail turned back towards Telemark. Because they don't often see a groomer, those segments are pretty soft yet. With all the closures due to the desire to keep people off of segments that share the Birkie and Classic trails it's a little bit of a labyrinth but still loads of fun. Allow me to express my appreciation to the North End Ski Club for their dedication to keeping these trails open and well groomed. In low snow years like this, the North End trails are often the best skiing in the area and that was the case again this week.

(Andy Schwartz)

The North End Trails are open on a limited basis. The Birkie folks have requested that we not groom or ski on the sections of trail we share with them. That means all skate trails will have to be accessed via the A Cutoff and return to the cabin the same way. The closed sections will be marked. Please respect the closures on the Birkie and Birkie Classic and please limit skiing on the North End to the morning hours.

(Irv Berlin)

Still great skiing to be found at the North End. Temps got into the middle 30's today and the trails did not deteriorate at all. The skate deck is still firm with some loose snow on top. I'm remiss in learning the names of the loops but the section that used to be the Korte trail from the Timber Trail turn around and heading North again, gets a lot of traffic so it's markedly harder than the rest of the system. Ron was heading out to re-groom as I was coming in this afternoon so Friday morning should be fantastic. If you're in the area, I highly recommend that you hit these trails before the warm-up.

(Andy Schwartz)