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)

Fantastic afternoon skiing a beautiful pine and birch forest with the trees still loaded with snow and frosted crystals. The trails were in nice shape with soft snow - no icy ruts. Sections 5-15 are now open. Our group came back with 7 of our 8 ski poles remaining intact. Snowmobile repaired so we hear groomers will be back out Tuesday. Great job getting the many many downed trees free from the trails.

Photos:

(Karla Anderson)

Sunday update: No change to grooming/tracking status of trails - eastern trails groomed, near west trails packed; far west trails unpacked (deep soft snow). But, the good news is that our snowmobile is repaired and we will soon be back out. A couple groups of skiers reported to me that groomed east trails were 'great" and they didn't run into any deadfall trees, thankfully. I went out on the far west trails 19-23-24 and can confirm that they remain untracked by any except our moose, who not only walked these trails but bedded down (photo). These far west trails are a slog in the deep snow, but provide a special opportunity to feel the wilderness character of the system.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Some trail segments were trackset today: The central trail ("Jensen Trail") is groomed (10 through 18 down to I) as are all trail segments to the east, with the exception of 5 to 15. All trails to the west of Jensen Trail remain well packed, but are un-tracked. Snow conditions are very good - and the debris of last week is now covered by new snow. Unfortunately we have had serious trouble with both our own snowmobile (in shop waiting for new engine parts) and one generously loaded to us by community of Isabella. So, repeated or new track-setting on rest of trail may be on hold for a couple weeks yet. Nevertheless! The beauty and quietude of trails, groomed or not, together with the great snow mean you will still have a wonderful wilderness ski!

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Trails are packed, but not groomed. We continue to work on clearing all the trails of down trees from the 36-inch snowfall on the weekend of Dec 18, 2022, and have made significant progress. All trails have been packed at least once as of today except between 21-22, 22-12, 19-23, and 19-24. More progress would have been made but our snow machine groomer decided to break down while grooming the trails on Dec 21. Hence while we were able to pack once if not twice on many of the trails, no grooming/tracking occurred as we work through getting the snowmachine rescued from the backcountry, taken to the shop for repair, and find a replacement groomer to use while it is in repair. In spite of all the setbacks, skiers continue to report how truly enjoyable the less-than-desired conditions are due to the sheer beauty of the forest with all its tree-covered snow and warm temperatures. When tracked trails will be complete is yet to be determined.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)