Skied all trails at Murphy on Sunday morning. Coverage was good and grooming was okay except on Razorback. It seems like Razorback has been rolled once and there is a small roughly 3 foot wide loosely packed path to ski. Skating was hard because there's no room for the ski to glide and our tips got caught on the sides every few steps. The downhills were fun, if not a bit exciting for a group of advanced skiers. Unless you're looking for an adventure I don't think I recommend skiing here until it's groomed again.

(Laura Cattaneo)

Lots of snow but the trail conditions were really rough. The blue loops had been groomed but very uneven skate deck. The razor back black loop only had a 4' section packed and it made everything pretty awful to try to skate. Classic might have been better but the fast downhills with such a narrow trail would still be a challenge. Not worth the trip in my opinion until it's groomed again.

(Scott Lyon)

Blue trails kettle and knob are open, packed and tracked. The skate deck is hard but very uneven. It made for a good balance workout and some interesting downhills. Tracks are well set and minimally used. The gates are open to razorback but trails are rolled only. Minimal debris on all trails with the good snow coverage. These are definitely intermediate/expert trails, I do not recommend for beginners.

(Emily Reineccius)

I was the only car in the parking lot, so that I should have taken the hint. The trails had not been groomed for awhile, so the snow was crusty ruts along with footprints from walkers. It made it difficult to turn on Murphy's steep twisty downhills. It's a shame as there was plenty of snow cover, but you it certainly gives you an appreciation for the work that groomers do. The trails should be fine when they are groomed, so I would check the Three Rivers web site before heading out there. I ended up skiing the Knob loop trail and then drove over to nearby Cleary Lake park for more skiing.

(Geir Johansen)

Trails are packed on all blue rated trails (Knob and Kettle). Soft but surprising good glide. Some trails are tracked on the Kettle Trail. It's nice to be out on these trails that are rarely open, especially in December. Skiing out here adds spice to life and reminds me why I love skiing. Great to be back in the woods and off the hamster wheel.

(Emily Reineccius)

5 k loop appeared to have been ridden over by snowmobiles pulling something that seems like a groomer. Uneven, lots of different planes, soft, no track. I believe will take a lot more snow to make skating even remotely possible. Outer loops gates are closed. There is a sign at the trailhead that says "Open. Ungroomed " next to where the kind of grooming gear had been driven on the trail. Mystery Hanrehan 2022. Beautiful day out there.

(Dale Vaillancourt)

Knob Trail: A first pass of grooming done, good coverage except for a few rough spots at the end. Not enough for a classic track yet. Would be pretty soft for skating, did not see any tracks. Beautiful early season stuff. Kettle and Razorback: Gates locked. Some snowshoe tracks or break your own, beautiful. Trailhead shelter closed, but outhouses available.

Photos:

(Matt Thill)