Started at OO, went north, and grooming stopped about 4k up Bodoeker Rd. Turned around and went south and grooming stopped in about 2k. A bust, but about 6" of new snow.

(Tony Pellegrini)

Groomers were able to groom and set tracks on the 10K Boedecker loop from OO and the loops at OO last night after the 6+ inches of snow that fell. Another inch or so has fallen since then. Classic tracks have been skied-in and are fast, not glazed and not washed out yet, but not completely firmed up. Skate deck looks soft and smooth, a bit chewed up on uphills, but skaters were skiing easily. Grooming crew is at the clinic at ABR so were not able to groom the whole trail length yet.

(Carolyn Senty)

Skated with Joe Leschisin out of the new Birke start area located at Telemark. We were the first ones out at 9 a.m. The temp was about 15 degrees, with an inch of new snow and a gusty Northwest wind. The new warming house was a welcome sight as it had the gas fireplace going. The warm cabin felt good on such a blustery morning. We skated down to Bodecker on the Birkie trail and back. The trail was level, the new snow, with the cold wind, was slow at times but offered pretty good control. Fresh corduroy could be found on the North End Ski Trails that crisscrossed the Birkie Trail. All in all a good ski and plenty of hills for a good workout... we regrouped back at the finish area, the temperature still read about 15 degrees...we refueled at Anglers in downtown Hayward with their special of the day...A meatloaf sandwich and hot chicken dumpling soup.

(David Martin)

I first skied the lighted loop at OO and found that to be in excellent condition with only a couple of ice scabs at the intersections. I then skied north to the fire tower hut, and came back on the skating trail after diverting off to ski the Birkie ridge section. The trails are hard packed and very fast with great coverage. Perfect conditions for bigger skiers. Birkie ridge, which had remained open during the thaw, had not been groomed but was quite manageable. The parking lot was pretty full by the time I returned to OO, but I saw only a handful of skiers on the trail. I also saw a fisher run out in front of me near the Siberian tiger display. The skating was great, and the classic tracks looked good as well. If the Birkie had been held yesterday, I think everyone would have skied a personal best.

(Michael Jorgensen)

I suggest B classics south of OO. The track is good for the A set near the cabin but it gets progressively more crunchy headed south. I took the B Woodies. The one bare spot is small and easy to see/avoid. Here's the trip. The trail was not crowded. The stadium area was polished smooth. Skiing south, the track was rock solid. On the picnic table hill, track ends about half way down. That is a rocket ride, even on wood! If your out of track skills are not ready for this, walk. The hill was smooth and holding snow. My dulled skills passed the test..I would note that other south facing hills lack track. The trip went 8 km south and back north. With no worries about a track that randomly shatters, it was a great tune up. The woodies held all the faster turns in track. Hill climbing in track got work. There was even a double pole workout coming north to the stadium area. The skate deck still held a good coating of fuzz when I got out after 5:00pm. I lost it in the very tight turn on the connector coming back to the cabin. It was kind of a crab crawl going sideways across the ice...
No crash.. The 16 k took just short of 2:20. Great job groomers!!

(Jeff Bolte)

Skied from the North End Trailhead to Mosquito Brook. Perfect conditions. No dirt, no ruts, no south hills exposed. Deck was smooth and fast, hard but not icy. There were not new tracks set but the old pre melt ones looked perfectly skiable, not washed out at all. Kudos to the Birkie staff...the trail skied as if we had not had a big melt down.

(Fred Scheer)

From the groomers: (9:00AM): Had a big crew out last night and we hit the skate lanes from Hwy 77 north to the Birkie Trailhead in Cable on the Birkie Skate trail, and from "OO" north to the Birkie Trailhead on the Birkie Classic trail. The trail is firm but the skate lane turned out pretty good. We did not reset the classic tracks but will look at some options tonight (the old classic track is pretty good with 1/2" of fresh snow in it) . Enjoy the skiing, it is back! I got out for an early morning ski to check it out - was firm and fast, but totally controllable. Base approx 3-4", very little debris. Will be a great weekend for ski training!

Photos:

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

Skied from Mosquito Brook south. The trail was exceptional for having a melt down. I'm proud of people respecting the trail closure as well as they did other wise the trail would not look as good as it does. Classic track was shallow but very stable and very ski-able. The snow is a little wet still underneath but is drying out quick. No grooming as of yesterday but is not really needed. I was running a little gold klister covered with Rex Pro Grip Blue and had good kick and no icing. The skate deck is phenomenal at the moment.

(Dustin Dale)

The Birkie trails re-opened on Thursday with grooming expected to occur Thursday night. The trails received around than 1/2" of new snow, but colder weather should allow for skiing on firm trails again.

(Bruce Adelsman)

Birkie grooming staff report: Due to the current warm temps the Birkie Trail will remain closed until further notice. Birkie Ridge Trailhead will remain open for skiing (the loop there is 6KM total). The Birkie Trail Manager works collaboratively with the County Land Managers/County Foresters to determine trail conditions as related to any trail closures. As conditions improve and freezing temps return to our winter forecast, the decision will be made to reopen the trails. Thank you for your patience and consideration in helping us to preserve the trail for future skiing and for February races. Think Snow!

(Bruce Adelsman)