There is significant tree damage from the heavy, wet snow and we are unable to clear and groom the trail at this time.

Photos:

(Joe Fieweger, Wisconsin DNR)

As the only NHAL State Forest ski trail where you can stride and skate, Joanie and I took advantage of both. The tracks were still in good solid condition after grooming from the day before. The skate loop around McNaughton Lake was mostly good, with some fair sections due to pine debris and drifting. Very scenic, gently rolling trails through old growth white and red pines.

Photos:

(Darren Blankenship)

First, I skate skied the Red Skater's loop. From the parking lot out and back is about 8.5 kilometers and I get to 10 kilometers by skiing back out to the shelter and back to the parking lot. The trail had been groomed recently but the entire skate deck had at least two inches of soft snow on a relatively firm underlying skate deck. Therefore, I would rate skate conditions as fair at best. I then classic skied the Blue loop. The classic track was firm and deep with good track speed and good control on the downhills. There was the same soft snow outside the tracks but that didn't affect anything. Overall classic conditions were excellent.

(Jim Gantz)

The red skater's loop was packed and groomed, and all other loops were packed and tracked. Conditions throughout trail are overall very good.

(Nikki Kloes)

The Wisconsin DNR has upped their grooming game and is using a Gator/West Yellowstone setup to double track. Just a touch soft here and there, but generally good skiing.

(Ken Schoville)

The red skater's loop was cut and groomed, and all other loops were cut and tracked. Green/blue trail from shelter to trailhead has some areas with shallow track and some debris on trail. Conditions throughout trail are overall good to very good.

(Nikki Kloes)

Skate loop was leveled and groomed, thin base after shelter and before the boardwalks, otherwise good conditions around McNaughton Lake. The classic loops were leveled and tracks are set. Thin base on east side of Hawk and Helen lakes, otherwise good conditions all around.

(Lynn Wright, Wisconsin DNR)

The red skater's loop was groomed, and all other loops were leveled and tracked. The green/blue loop near Helen Lake has debris in the tracks and track is very shallow, use caution. Tracks on the rest of the trail are good, with some fluctuating depth especially beneath conifers.

(Nikki Kloes)

Trail received 3" of snow. The red skater's loop was groomed, and all other loops were tracked. The green/blue loop on the east side of Helen Lake has debris in the tracks and track is very shallow, use caution. Tracks on the rest of the trail are good, with some fluctuating depth especially beneath conifers.

(Nikki Kloes)

I skate skied the red skater's loop. It was my first time on skis this season. I found the skate deck to be quite soft and the trail needs leveling and more snow. It ended up being quite a slog. There were only a few spots under the hemlocks where the deck was shallow but they were easily navigated. Overall conditions I would rate as fair. It seemed like I got my mojo after about seven kilometers as it became less of a slog. I classic skied the yellow loop and those conditions I would also rate as fair since no track had been set.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)