Just back from assessing the trail - it is very, very soft and wet. The Birkie Trial will be closed today as it drys out and firms up. With so little base, any big ruts from skiing today we won't be able to renovate out once it gets harder. Hopefully by tonight we can get out and begin to work it.

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

Skied skate trail from near OO to Timber Trail and back on classic trail. Fresh cord the full width of the trail. Tracks set, some places on both sides. Bumps are much smoother than earlier this week. Despite warm conditions, I would rate it good to very good. Merry Christmas!

(Tom Detzner)

Highly variable. I skied south from the new start area to the High Point water stop and some areas are still kind of sketchy while some stretches are fantastic. From the start area to Timber Trail is still pretty rough. And the Birkie trail in general was kind of rough all the way to the High Point water stop. Early season lumpy/bumpy which was to be expected but also not much attention to grooming. The Classic trail heading north from the High Point water stop was a different story. Much smoother, more consistent grooming all the way back to Timber Trail. From Timber Trail north I took the old Korte trail and that is fantastic right now. Almost a carpet flat ribbon on snow. The best segment I skied. So if the snow holds out I would suggest the following. Park at either the Boedecker or Timber Trail trailheads. There are warming huts at both places now and while I didn't go inside, the new Timber Trail warming hut looks like it's got water as well. From those trailheads ski the Classic trail or the old Korte trail in either direction and you won't be disappointed.

(Andy Schwartz)

Skied the loops at OO and then north on both Birkie and Classic trails. Warm temp a couple days ago had no effect on the trail and we received about an inch of light snow on top of the groomed trails so we were classic skiing on the skied in classic trails. Skiing was good on both the classic Birkie trail and Birkie trail north of OO and at OO loops. No problem using good skis.

Photos:

(David Gorringe)

Skied the OO loops Wednesday night. Many lights out, the tracks were in pretty rough shape but thankful for what we had.

(Alan Rasmussen)

I skied the loop from Boedecker Road to the Big Rock cut-over and back a couple of times. Tracks had been set a few hours earlier, with the tracks on the classic trail side a bit firmer. Happy to have tracks to ski in!

(Connie Meek)

Surprisingly great for early season. Skied north from OO to high point and had no problem with rocks or thin spots. Also went south from OO and it was the same story. There isn't a ton of snow but the Birkie groomers have done an outstanding job. It will only get better, too, as it was snowing Sunday. When that gets layered in it will get better and better. Best way to get ready for the Birkie hills is to ski them many times before February.

(Mike Sund)

Skied on the 3-4" of rolled snow this morning, around 10:30am, from OO south for about 6K each way. The Birkie groomers are amazing and did what they could with what they have. There are no tracks set yet and I wouldn't call the rolled snow a deck for skating. I would say the grass and rocks are 80-85% covered, but now that folks have skied on it a bit, there are a few light grass patches, exposed rock, and partially exposed rocks to watch out for. If you are careful, however, you can get some good skiing in and you definitely get to work on balance and uneven terrain negotiation. Definitely worth the effort, so pick up an annual pass, enjoy, and think snow!

Photos:

(Brian Kantar)

Picked up my Birkie Trail Pass yesterday and skied south from OO this afternoon. The main trail had good traffic pack and I only came across a couple crusty divots and exposed pieces of debris. Felt like twice the snow depth of Hayward proper. Side trails were looser and had more exposed twigs and debris. All and all, trail conditions were good and a lot better than I had expected. It felt great to be out on the trail - excited to see how it feels after this weekend!

(Nathan Garrett)

Skied Boedecker loop from OO. A little thin and bumpy but good coverage. The most recent pass with the roller was better skiing than those with an inch of new snow. Logging going on very close to the trail. Good early season skiing.

Photos:

(Tom Detzner)