The conditions are deteriorating due to thin snow cover, exposed sticks and grass. Finally the sun is starting to negatively effect tracked segments of the trail. Now for the positive, you definitely can ski the entire trail on the east side of Powder Hill road. Either cut your own track on the skate deck or follow earlier skiers tracks outside the set tracks.

Photos:

(Steve Freckmann)

Pike Lake received about 8 inches of snow with the past 2 snowfalls. All trail loops are groomed and open for the first time this season. Grooming occurred throughout the weekend. The trail base is thin as the powdery snow compacted a great amount. The tread is not firm but provides moderate control. Track was set, but with a thin base bare ground was exposed in several locations. Bring your rock skis and enjoy the trails while you can.

Photos:

(Justin Blindert)

I skied both loops early in the morning and they had been rolled but not groomed. Very thin, but probably B skis, I think the surface underneath these trails is pretty ski safe. They were grooming as I left around Noon. After skiing the Xc loops I popped over to the multipurpose trails on the west side of the road, climbed up powder hill, and went down by the beach. These had been rolled I think, or just evenly boot packed with fresh snow on top. Very much rock skis with Rocks and tree roots underneath, but enough snow cruising down the rolling hills went well. Got a little cocky about how well it was going and tried the green trail north on my way back from the beach. That hadn't been rolled, or just had far less foot traffic and it took a hard fall at the bottom of a hill when I tried to use a little edge to realize how light and thin the snow really was. The section just across the road, south, and then up to the tower had the most coverage.

(Mervyn Greenery)

No grooming yet, but there's a decent set of classic trails set by previous skiers. Snow was a little sticky at times, but everything is covered.

Photos:

(Sally Eschrich)