Trail Detail
Notes
The Balsam Branch trails are open to the public for no charge. When there is snow, tracks are set by Polk County Park and volunteers. The trailhead parking area is always well plowed. Toilet facilities are available at the nearby Kennedy Environmental center but no coffee shop or warming facility. Roughly 4K of lighted trails added in 2010.Trail Reports
2017-2018 season
Saturday, February 3, 2018
Evening
posted: 2018-02-03 19:27:20
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Trails are fully groomed this evening (track and skate Lane). The 2-3 inches of snow we received today really helped. Be sure to enjoy the ski trail, snow shoe trail and the lights. Have fun.
(Greg Hoelscher)
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Thursday, February 1, 2018
Afternoon
posted: 2018-02-02 09:12:36
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Late afternoon skate ski. The trails are much improved after having been rutted-up after the recent thaw and there is now a firm and fairly smooth deck underneath. Trails had received about an inch of new powder overnight which was wind-blown in some sections and drifted on others. Lots of debris from recent winds. Cold, wind-blown snow made for slower conditions but still worth getting out there.
(Jim Kelley)
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Sunday, January 28, 2018
Evening
posted: 2018-01-28 17:53:39
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Skate lane has been groomed. Track is still deep. Leaves and bark still litter the course. Should be good skiing.
(Greg Hoelscher)
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Thursday, January 25, 2018
Evening
posted: 2018-01-26 06:29:30
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: All, ]
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6 PM 25 degrees F. Warmer temperatures brought softer conditions than yesterday. Skate lane was pretty soft which kept you on your toes when your skis sunk into the snow. Poles with larger baskets (i.e. non-race baskets) would work best in these conditions. The classical tracks look great but again, pole plants punch through the snow. Still a winter wonderland and worth the drive.
(Jim Kelley)
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Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Evening
posted: 2018-01-25 06:50:43
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: All, ]
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5 PM temp 19 F. As mentioned in previous reports for Balsam the trails have all been groomed for skate and classical. However, the skate lane is still a little soft and gives away occasionally. Pole plants sometimes push down through the snow as well. Classical tracks look great. Still great skiing though and as I've been telling people in the parking lot, "it's better than dirt".
(Jim Kelley)
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Afternoon
posted: 2018-01-23 17:22:19
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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There is plenty of snow now. Trails are groomed, track and skate lane. With all the snow we received, the trail will be somewhat soft. The warm weather coming should help it settle. Plan to groom again after the warm weather. Have fun.
(Greg Hoelscher)
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Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Afternoon
posted: 2018-01-23 15:13:47
Firsthand: Both [ Trails Open: Most, ]
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Trails were being groomed at noon today, they were making several passes Snow is soft and slow. No classical tracks yet. I skied most trails.
(Lori Rowin)
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Thursday, January 18, 2018
Afternoon
posted: 2018-01-18 20:09:29
Firsthand: Classic [
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Classic skied entire trail system. Hats off to Greg the groomer - solid track and fast. Just a few scattered bare spots but otherwise tracks in good shape. Skate deck also was firm relatively flat and in good shape. With the warmer weather felt like late March skiing!
(Duane Lee)
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Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Afternoon
posted: 2018-01-17 17:07:20
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: All, ]
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They have enough snow to cover - with one ten foot exception - but there is still not enough snow to make the nut. Skiing was uneven on the flats and on the hills. The snow varied from soft and slow to firm and compacted - these were the conditions for 80% of the trail. I was constantly on the defense as you could never trust the track of your ski.
(Dan Murphy)
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Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Afternoon
posted: 2018-01-16 15:40:57
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Set new track and skate this afternoon. Conditions almost perfect, however we did hit a couple of rocks on the outside loop.
(Greg Hoelscher)
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