Ski was a bit windy bringing debris onto the trails. Some tracks were blown-in with wind driven snow but still easy to glide through. Heavy accumulation of snow still remains on the trees from early snow this season. The plan this week is to freshen up the tracks by grooming on Thursday or Friday.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Saturday's ski with groomer Gary and friends was spectacular. All but trails 19 to 24, 19 to 23 and 6 to 9 have been packed and tracked. The forest is like a NY city fashion show. Every tree is strutting a winter show outfit so unique and visually show-stopping. Trails had a little debris on them and slight fill-in from Thursday and Friday's wind, cold temps a ½ inch of snow. Open areas are slight to moderately drifted in but easy to ski through and a relatively short distance.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Hallelujah, all trails except 19 to 24, 19 to 23, and 6 to 9 have been packed and tracked. Come out and enjoy the beauty of this amazing wilderness trail system.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Today was another remarkable gorgeous day on the ski trails. Attached with this posting is a map showing the trails highlighted in pink that were packed and tracked on Saturday. The orange highlights indicate the trails that are packed but not tracked. There is a reasonable deck/base to ski on even though you will have 4 inches of powder to maneuver on the not groomed trails, see the picture attached regarding these particular conditions. Grooming plans: Wednesday, the groomers will be out making more progress on the trails highlighted in purple (packed but not tracked). The Isabella wolf pack also enjoys groomed trails, making it easier terrain to hunt.

Photos:

(Nancy G Schultz)

Four inches of fresh snow fell on Friday (with strong winds) making the forest continue to be a winter wonderland but covering previously tracked and packed trails. The groomers were out Saturday and did a fantastic job of packing and tracking the eastern trails. Regarding the western trails, a few sections are packed but not tracked and/or skiers have been on them making them a backcountry (but not difficult) ski experience. Attached with this posting is a map showing the trails highlighted in pink that were packed and tracked. The purple highlights indicate the trails that are packed but not tracked. There is a reasonable deck/base to ski on even though you will have 4 inches of powder to maneuver on the not groomed trails.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Four inches of fresh snow fell yesterday making the forest continue to be a winter wonderland. With this 4 inches of fresh snow, breaking trail on previously packed and tracked trails will be less than ideal but still a good experience in this special place. Attached with this posting is a map showing the trails that were packed and tracked on Jan 23rd, this will help to let you know that there is a reasonable deck to keep you from post-holing with your poles. Grooming plans: The plan is to groom (track and pack) all trails on Saturday morning.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Broke trail around much of the trail system that had been previously groomed. Maybe 30 percent has not yet been groomed or packed and was too deep for my classic track skis. The rest had about 5 to 6 inches of fresh snow overnight and thru the morning. Breaking trail was not too hard, but the underlying deck was soft and pole plunging was a problem that prevented anything close to smooth rhythm. When they groom, hopefully they will pack the classic deck well to allow strong poling. Beautiful forest with several bridge crossings of Little Isabella River that would have made good pics if I had a camera.

(Tim Nelson)

Trails are near perfect where trails are tracked. The untracked trails are located between intersections 19 to 20. Unpacked and untracked trails are located between 19 to 23 and 19 to 24.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Although there are some damaged areas of track and snow-laden low branches, overall the course is near perfect. Get out there and enjoy it!

Photos:

(David Johnson)

All trails groomed/trackset today except for the following western segments: 18-19-20 (packed); 19-24 and 19-23 (unpacked); 19-20-16 (packed). We are getting there!

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)