A cold start of a new year. -3F at OO at noon. Classic south of OO had an old but good track southbound, the northbound track is faint at places. Skate deck had a lot of use over the past few days and definitely needs some grooming as it is getting very hard-packed. The skate trail from Boedecker to Fire tower is in better shape and has really nice classic tracks. The classic trail has not been groomed again since the last snowfall from last Tuesday. I was on my classic skis on it and I feel it might be nicer to skate with the two inches of powder to cover the hard base.

Photos:

(Gui Girard)

Skiing with Coon Rapids Team for winter camp I made it 3k north of Gravel Pit and south to Mosquito. Really nice deck on the afternoon. Happy to see so many smiling faces. Happy New Year!

(Scott Hoggarth)

Skied from double OO to the Trail Head. A bit of grass and dirt in the early km's. As I went further north the snow cover was better. I saw about twenty skiers on the way north. On the way back to OO I saw about 10 skiers. Everyone must have headed south to ski. Lot had two busses and over fifty cars. Well worth the drive from the twin Cities. I'd use B skis.

(Jim Williams)

I skated north from Bodecker Trailhead to the High Point on the Birkie Trail. The skiing was very good as a new track (both sides) and the skate lane had been recently groomed. The Birkie Classic Trail had a couple of inches of new snow that skiers were skiing in. On the main Birkie Trail, there were a few thin spots along the way. I then skied south of Bodecker and included the Roam Campground Trail, where I found freshly groomed trails. All and all, the skiing was very good, with lots of folks out enjoying the trails. Happy New Year!

(David Martin)

I went to Hatchery Creek but found no groomed trail in the park. What used to be the Birkie trail entering the park was blocked by a pile of downed trees. So, I drove to the Mosquito Brook trailhead and skied north. The skate deck there was groomed, firm, and clean. There were nice classic tracks on both sides.

(Don Quick)

I classic skied from Mosquito Brook to Gravel Pit and back today. The base on the Birkie Trails was solid and the tracks were deep and offer great control and kick. There were a couple of sticks and some light debris here and there. The skate lane was firm and had very good coverage. The trails had been recently groomed.

Photos:

(David Martin)

I skated and diagonal strided from Fish Hatchery to Mosquito Brook and back. The skate lane had good coverage, was smooth but had some soft areas. The classic track was firm and had good coverage. There were some oak leaves in the tracks. It snowed about three-four inches while I was in Hayward today.

Photos:

(David Martin)

Around mid-day I skated the loops at Hwy OO. The skate deck was excellent, despite an occasional soft spot and a few scattered leaves and twigs. The loops were tracked, with one loop tracked on both sides. Even the bridge had a nice track. I give it an 8. As I left it started to snow again.

(Don Quick)

Best skiing of the year so far on the south end of the Birkie trail. Someone looped thru the HASTA lighted loops and Sunset Hill, good skate deck, good classic track. Packed powder, no rocks. We had maybe 8-12" of snow last night!

(Joel Harrison, New Moon Ski Shop)

Groomed from Hatchery park in Hayward north to Cable - the entire Birkie skate trail was groomed today. Get out and enjoy!

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)