Finished grooming all the trails we are going to groom for this season--depending on what the weather does. On the skate side Ridge Trail, Roller Coaster, Will's Crossing and Mary's Frolic are groomed. On the classic side Short Cut, Doug's Folly, Pine Hollow and Hair Raiser are groomed and tracked. As of Friday afternoon, when I skied, classic tracks were mostly excellent. Skate deck on skate loops were a little soft but looked very good. On the last couple of kilometers of the return trail there are a half-dozen very short patches where frozen slush was exposed, all easily avoided.

(Will Maines)

Strided almost all the classic trail segments this morning that were groomed today and yesterday. Very good conditions with a solid track on fun, gently rolling trails. Joanie and I also skated freshly groomed Mary's Frolic, which was still a bit soft from the new snow, which made for a challenging ski. Thanks to Will the groomer, who has been caretaking this trail for many years. It was nice speaking with him after our ski.

Photos:

(Darren Blankenship)

Groomed and tracked loops were rolled yesterday. On the skate side Ridge Trail, Will's Crossing and Mary's Frolic are groomed. Looks like a great skate deck. Groomed and set track for classic on Doug's Folly, Pine Hollow and Hair Raiser. Mostly very good to excellent. A small handful of places, mainly on the last 2k inbound where slushy holes showed up but froze up after packing yesterday. They are easily avoidable. Planning on grooming and tracking classic Short Cut and Wild Thing early tomorrow morning, as well as grooming either Long Rider or Roller Coaster on the skate side. Could be our last grooming of the season. We'll play it by ear.

(Will Maines)

Robert and I groomed this morning with good results. Robert did all skate trails, and aside from a short stretch on a long hill leading to Mary's Frolic turnoff, the skate loops are all in very good condition. I groomed the interior classic loops. I would rate the tracks as all good to very good. I did not groom Lions Pride or Oak Ridge, as windy conditions which he have had problems with all winter leave much of the tracks on those two loops which are in an area where severe clearcutting on both sides last summer drifted in deeply as fast as we groom.

(Will Maines)

Great spring-like skiing! Good glide and traction on the new thin layer of snow. A few icy patches and bare spots on some climbs out towards Mary's Frolic - nothing serious. Trail got faster as the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. Some four legged hikers enjoying the groomed path per the photo. Amazing how well the trail has been restored following last year's logging operations!

Photos:

(Duane Jacobson)

I discontinued grooming since last Friday. A handful of skiers have been out since. Trails have been icy in the morning, softening up during the warm daylight hours. Grooming plans: I plan on grooming at least some of the system tomorrow or Saturday, early morning, both skate and classic. There is still good snow cover. Not sure how setting any new track will work, but we'll do our best.

(Will Maines)

About an inch of new snow. Temp just above freezing. Made skating seem like a lot of work. Then classic skiing seemed easier with skin skis. Started to get sticky as it continued to warm up to near 40F. No debris Or dirt to contend with.

Photos:

(Brian Ciske)

Finished grooming all skate loops this morning. Finished laying new tracks on all loops yesterday. As close to perfect as I could get. The only thing keeping things from being perfect are the plethora of tracks in some places made by impolite deer and wolves. Need to teach them to learn how to ski.

(Will Maines)

Skied Doug's Folly in the morning. Appeared to be the first one out since the last grooming. The trails were set with great care, it's quite impressive. Speeds were slower from the light powder coming in over the weekend. Tracks were pretty firm, which was surprising. I don't think I saw any debris poking through the trail, not even a pine branch or leaf.

Photos:

(Tyler Carrico)

I classic skied Lion's Pride and Pine Hollow. The recent logging along the middle section of Lion's Pride wreaked havoc on this once beautiful trail (picture). Pine Hollow had not been affected as much. There was an inch or so of new snow in the tracks and it was snowing pretty much the whole time I was there. Overall I would rate conditions as good. Control on the steep downhills was ok but not great.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)