The trails are in perfect condition. There was an inch of new snow over yesterday's nicely groomed trails, making it ideal for safely doing the steeper downhill runs. Four of us skied from Jensen Trailhead to 19>23>22>21>14>17>2>1, through both wetland bog areas and high ground with steeper terrain. It is so nice to have the trails ready for our Jensen Trailhead, ribbon-cutting celebration this Saturday, Jan 18th at 12:30 pm. Join us if you can (visit our website for details).

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

The trails were groomed today and are in perfect condition. In preparation for our new Trailhead, ribbon-cutting celebration this Saturday, Jan 18th at 12:30 pm, join us if you can (visit our website for details).

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Skied over fresh snow on previously groom trails, it was easy moving through the snow covered tracks.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

The one-inch of new snow made for an amazing kick and glide and freshened up the forest. I imagine the wetlands will still have a slightly uneven glide due to the bog undulations.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Trails were crunchy, fast, and easy to ski on today. Nothing has changed much in the last few days regarding the conditions, the light dusting on the tracks has helped to keep the kick decent. We skied through the wetland from 14 to 21 and had little trouble with the set tracks from last week.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

It was 5 degrees, and there was no new snow. I used my metal-edged wider skis with blue wax, which resulted in good kick and plenty of glide. I skied across Lake Gegoka to 15, then went to 16>17>18>19>back to 18>1>2 and back on to the Lake. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors with the sun out, making it feel warmer than it was.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

I skied morning and afternoon, both on double-track trails and trails that go through the wetlands (see map showing wetlands in light blue). Some of them were groomed for a second time after the frozen conditions set up. I was on a mission to count birds for the Isabella Christmas Bird Count, so I was going slow. With that context in mind, the wetland areas had undulating spots, making it less than ideal but fun nonetheless. There is plenty of base and I encourage you to come out and enjoy one of the places where natural snow is present to ski on. My wide metal edge skis worked great on the non-wetland trails but were problematic on areas where ice had been set up around skinnier skis than I had. Regardless, I was outside in a beautiful forest and could ski on the outer edge of these conditions.

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Today with a dusting of new snow on previously groomed trailsit was a delightful ski through superior National Forest. Grooming plans: Tomorrow we will attempt to groom more trails that were not touched on Tuesday.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Today the main double-tracked trail was newly groomed to improve skiing conditions. I did afternoon ski where I experienced both the "newly groomed" and "old groomed" trails. The "newly groomed" trail provided semi rolled conditions with a slight indentation for the tracks--it is difficult to cut a track with a hard packed top layer. I ran into a skier who gave me a thumbs up and rated the trails "good", especially beyond Post #17 and toward #10 on the main double-tracked trail. Staying away from the wetland areas is wise; however, if you are patient when skiing over the wetland undulations, these trails are also ski worthy. You will experience a jerky glide on the "old groomed" trails because the frozen track is not as wide as ski boots, so it slows you down.

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Overall good skiing, basically no precip by midafternoon Friday. Snow base not deep enough yet to fully cover all vegetation on low-lying trails (1-2-3 and 15-5-13 loops, 20-21 area) but no major bald spots, not bad for B skis. Road trail (1-18-17-14 and on) was in great condition. So glad for the new trailhead, saw three other groups there while coming and going.

(Elizabeth Hesser)