Skijoring central at Hiawatha today. Lots of happy people and dogs out enjoying the trail. The trail is very thin. There are a lot of bare patches in the skate deck, most of which are avoidable, but there are locations where you're going to be grass skiing. It looked like the classic trail was in better shape most of the time, but I expect conditions to quickly deteriorate if it gets warm.

(Tim Bontrager)

Tried doing the 4k loop starting from the northeast entrance. The back half by the fence still had set tracks, with occasional bare patches. The loop coming back that's closest to the lake though seems to have lost its set tracks, it's more of a free for all there with a lot of crisscrossing classic ski tracks to chose from. Also seems to have more bare patches there. Will probably wait for more snow before going again!

(Danielle Thompson)

Really fun skate skiing on the 4K outer loop at Hiawatha this morning. There are a few brown / grass / dirt spots but they are easy to avoid. I never had to stop gliding. Classic tracks looked surprisingly good for the whole loop as well. Rock skis advised just to be safe. Saw a fast coyote running around under the sunrise. Thanks to the fantastic Hiawatha groomers!

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

Snow is packed throughout, but shallow. Decided not to fully groom whole course as grooming was churning up grass and leaves. Groomed three passes on the 1 km loop. Beautiful full moon out!

(Anthony Bramante)

The full 4k loop is skiable with rock or B skis, but it takes a watchful eye to avoid the grass and cart paths. The 1k loop has the most consistent snow if you are ok with hill repeats. Otherwise, we on the lookout for more snow...

(John Saunders)

Groomed all trails and set classic tracks. 1k, 2k and 4k loops are all open. Vast majority of loop is snow covered but there are a few areas of grass poking through. Short section on North East corner near Lake Hiawatha are wind blown and bare ground.

(Mike Guild)

Quite good coverage after recent grooming. 95+% covered with a few thin grassy areas that were skiable. Pleasant early season on natural snow in Minneapolis! A handful of skaters and striders out this evening.

(William Hamilton)

Nice morning ski at Hiawatha GC - with one bald eagle sighting! A few spots of grass in the track and attention is required around the cart paths but both of those are quite manageable! Nice job, groomers!

Photos:

(Sara Brokaw)

Groomed on Wednesday night. Classic tracks are pretty decent and skate deck should be nice and set up on Thursday morning. Enjoy!

(Joe Henry)

By early afternoon the wind had blown drifts over perhaps 60% of the trail, and the rest had been stripped down to the compacted base. Not great skiing, if this wind keeps up I would recommend going soon after the grooming is done to try to catch it while it is still good.

(Matt Ryan)