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)