On our fun ski tour skating from 510 toward Forestville, we encountered surprisingly OK groomed-a-few-days-ago snow that was not too slushy and not too slow with not too thin snow, so we had a nice easy outing. We turned back up to 510 at about the 19K mark, where there is the gate and S-turns, because at that point the descent looked to have more exposed ground sections. We only took off our skis once, and it was on the way back, for about 10 yards, so really there was nice skating out there! The classic tracks had been set, but were pretty wasted away due to the thaw of the last couple days. But, since the snow was not too thin and deep, we could skate the uphills to 510 without the effort that would be required with deep snow or base-sucking snow. Plus, a bonus was that Tom got a glimpse of a beaver splashing into his waterway to his hut, in the beaver pond on the way back. This pond is what is pictured.

Photos:

(Mary-Kay Aufrance)

Excellent conditions Noquemanon trails, Forestville trailhead. Great classic skiing, and lots of skaters out there.

Photos:

(Rob Fuhr)

Skied from the Co Rd 510 trail head. There is about 10" on the ground and it was snowing hard at 4:00 PM. No grooming yet but there is plenty of snow so grooming will hopefully start soon. As an old timer, I remember when cross country skiing was never groomed so I'm just happy we have the snow.

Photos:

(John Sonderegger)