Just finished grooming and tracking all classic loops. Like most areas in north Wisconsin, lots of low hanging brush and saplings from the last heavy, wet snowstorm, but for the most part the trails are clear and easily skiable. I would rate the tracks as very good to excellent. Robert finished grooming the skate loops yesterday afternoon, and from what I saw of them they are very good to excellent as well. I skied two classic loops yesterday afternoon, and to be truthful I found very little interference from the overhanging stuff. As I groomed today there are still some stretches where you will ski through a beautiful virtual white tunnel with saplings from both sides of the trail arching across to meet each other.

(Will Maines)

All skate loops where groomed this afternoon and some of the classic trails where groomed and track set (the remaining classic trails will be groomed in the morning). There's still some low-hanging branches that need to be watched for (we will start cutting the ones that don't spring back during the next grooming) and some bumpy sections but overall it's very good.

Photos:

(Robert Polic)

Six plus inches of wet, sticky snow, warm temps and tree gauntlets made today a challenge. In the end, the best we could do is track pack all the skate lanes, knock the snow off the droopy trees and roll a couple of the classic trails. Grooming plans: We will be back at it tomorrow hopefully whipping the trails into reasonable condition for the weekend.

Photos:

(Robert Polic)

As of Tuesday afternoon I completed first grooming of the season. Prior to this I had rolled trails twice. It is iffy skiing right now. There are places where it would be fairly good, but many stretches that still need more snow. Not possible to set tracks yet. I would definitely use rock skis, and I would use great caution on steep downhills with curves. I discovered that the first side loop of Long Rider will have to be closed for the season as a berm was bulldozed at the completion of a logging project this summer on a steep downhill just before a sharp curve at the bottom. Otherwise, all trails will be open this winter.

(Will Maines)