Went back to Briton Peak trailhead and skied thru to Hogback and Homestead. Classic tracks were added to Homestead yesterday and both loops were pretty good. A bit undulating, especially on steep hills and some dirt ground up and stubble of course. So B skis are fine. Noticed as I passed the junction with the Picnic Loop and Hogback that grooming has started on Picnic. The skate deck looked good but no classic yet. My long distance training will start tomorrow with the Picnic Loop. Yahoo!

(Tim Nelson)

Skied out of Briton Peak trailhead today. Skied out on Wood Duck and Piece of Cake and found new grooming on Homestead. The skate deck had recently been groomed but no classic tracks yet. Turns out I was just ahead of Darren the groomer making a second lap to lay down tracks. Skied Homestead, back on connector which is now groomed and tracked and then the Hogback loop back to Briton Peak. Surface everywhere was undulating particularly on hills, and stubble in the tracks and frequent patches of ground up dirt made be glad I used my B skis. Tracks were firm but depth was variable and sometimes grabby. But it was nice to get a nice big loop in and I will be back tomorrow in a little warmer weather. Three cheers for natural snow.

(Tim Nelson)

Conditions very similar to yesterday on the Onion River Road. Solid tracks, firm deck, regroomed from yesterday. Glide was good despite the cold. Also skied east Oberg which did not have tracks yet but had a firm skate deck. This was a little bumpy in the usual spots were water is usually a problem. Made the big downhill a bit exciting. West Oberg had some dirt in the tracks in few places which was easily avoided and one spot that was ice and dirt trail wide for about 20 feet. Very happy to be on natural snow despite the cold.

(Tim Nelson)

Can't believe this is the first time this season on the Onion River Road for me. It is usually a November event. But it was great to be on natural snow after over 300K on gerbil loops in the cities. (Nice to have them of course). ORR was in fine shape for a cold classic ski at dusk today with temps just below zero. Classic tracks were well formed, but a bit shallow on the right side going up. Right side pole plants plunge thru to the gravel below. Going down on the left side the outside plants were firm and the tracks a bit deeper. Can't wait for the rest of the system to open but with this wind and cold, it might take awhile.

(Tim Nelson)

Only Onion River Road is open at this time. Our groomer did a great job setting tracks today which should set up nicely, along with the skate deck, with the colder temps. It was wonderful to be out on the trail and others seemed to be enjoying the break in the ski drought. Only one large rock to be avoided in the tracks with this amount of snow. We used waxless skis today as the the temps were around 30F.

Photos:

(Liz Wagner)