Skied (sort of) Eagle Point. 43 degrees and really sunny. Skier-set track washed out due to melt or snow shoe-ers on western and southern portions. Several bare spots on north side to that you could ski around on the snow on the sides of the trail and one stream to ford at far western end that required going about 150 feet west of trail to cross it (with skis on) at its narrowest point. Slush was on the straight away leading to the climb to the Quonset hut. Made the mistake of not going all the way around and soaked my socks. I used Swix Red Extra. Snow did not clump and got some bite but it was slow. With multiple stops to try and get thru to my wife to make excuses as to why I was going to be late, it took me 1 1/2 hours to get around the trail. It was a beautiful day outdoors but not great skiing.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

I decided to go out to Lake Elmo Park Reserve this evening due to all the brand new snow that we have received. There have been lots and lots of people out there skiing on their own made classic track. It would be so nice if Lake Elmo Park Reserve would roll and pack the trail system and set the classic tracks.

Photos:

(John Dewall)

I skied the perimeter portions of brown, green, and orange. There is no more grooming but were some tracks, now there are tracks all the way around. There were a few places where wind had blown the trail bare on the brown, but otherwise there was plenty of snow.

(Becky Shipman)

I took a lap around the perimeter of the East side trails. 7k. There is a pretty good user track to ski on. There's occasional dirt at the bottom of the tracks in sunny areas. I own some $130 fish scale skis and they worked great today. I ran into some folks having clumping issues with their wax. Waxless skis are recommended if you have them. Overall, it was a great time.

(Paul Schaaf)

If you come here to ski, bring mountaineering skis. No grooming. I inquired at the park office and was told they are done grooming for the year.

(Bob Stephenson)

Eagle Point remains skateable. Mostly crusty this morning. I am sure it was mostly corn snow by the afternoon, some ice at the western end, and still some hard packed segments. No bare spots you couldn't get around but for sure it required removing your skis and a walk up the hill leading to the T intersection later Saturday. It was sunny, 34 degrees. I used FastWax Yellow LF. Despite slowing on the climb to the north ridge and for the ice spots, I was able to average 7.1 mph.

(Keith Carlson)

Eagle Point is still in skateable condition. Mostly corn, some ice particularly as you turn east at the far western end, some slush and still some hard packed segments. No bare spots you couldn't get around but it will probably require removing your skis and a walk up the hill leading to the T intersection by Saturday. It was sunny, 37 degrees. I used FastWax Yellow LF. Other than the climb up to the north ridge being a struggle because of snow conditions and negotiating the ice at the far western end being a little annoying, it was a decent skate. Met a herd of 7 deer as I approached the end of the southern straight away where it turns north. One actually walked toward me, within about 30 feet, before it realized I was a skier at which point it wheeled and ran away leading the rest of the herd with it. Still was able to average a reasonably fast for me 6.8 mph.

(Keith Carlson)

We are no longer grooming ski trails. There are a lot of bare spots on the trails. The lights have been turned off for the season.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

Eagle Point generally ranged from fair to good. Surface ranged from mostly corn to some ice, very little slush and brief hardpack at the beginning. Mild rutting in spots. 100% coverage. Assume it was high 30's, sunny with a brisk west wind. I used FastWax Yellow LF. After a week and half, I finally found some spring skiing on some fast corn in spots. Was a great? No but it's still okay skiing with hints of how good it can be as well as reminders of how tough it can be at other times.

(Keith Carlson)

Skated the Eagle Point loop (red) this morning around 11:30. Skate deck and classic hadn't been groomed today but it didn't really need it. Most of the trail is shaded by trees so less ice and melt off than a lot of the other exposed trails available right now. Some bark and the occasional stick to avoid towards the end but hardly a reason not to get out. Got great glide the whole way though. Get out while it's still good!

Photos:

(Dan Roth)