Had another good ski in the tracks after Wednesday's precipitation. The precipitation laid down an icy fuzz which actually helped cover most dirt and leaves, but also afforded control. The temp was in the mid-30's. The worst looking area was the Star loop which has a lot of leaves and some dirt. The rest of the snow-making loop was pretty good. Much of the skating deck looked firm and ski-able, with some ruts. The base is still greater than 1.5 ft deep in most places.

(Tom Harris)

Tracks were still in great shape and not icy when I started at 11 am. I did 5 complete laps including Boulder and 2 extra Boulder/Scenic when the lower end started getting soft. Snowcat tracks mentioned earlier actually came from downhill area to move the cat to maintenance. Too bad they took the long way up and down Boulder Ridge doing maximum damage.

(Dan Zenk)

The snowmaking loop was in poor condition. No surprise despite my hopes to the contrary there were frozen ruts on where the softer snow sections were yesterday afternoon. But compounding that was the snow cat drove on the western return portion of the trail from the downhill area to the turnaround at the top of Willow. They didn't groom, just left behind a double track of larger chunks of snow wherever there was softer snow, e. g. all the uphills. All the downhills (I didn't do Boulder) were okay despite the snow cat damage but some would find the brief snow plows I had to do to slow myself between the snow cat generated chunks intimidating. It was 35 degrees and cloudy at my 9:30 start. I used FastWax Yellow LF buffed with fluoro paste.

(Keith Carlson)

Once again, conditions on the snowmaking loop were phenomenal, especially for March 28 with a 11:30 start. Recently groomed, no bare spots, no ice, no significant sugar accumulation on any of the uphills, only minor snowplow wake on Boulder and Scenic downhills. It was 30 degrees per the radio and sunny. I used FastWax Yellow LF. My second fastest skate of the year and I was taking it easy to save some of stamina for hockey tonight. Thanks again to the groomers and Three Rivers.

(Keith Carlson)

My last post for the season! We are done grooming for the season. See you all next year or maybe on the paved trails.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Unbelievably good skiing! Fresh corduroy, deep firm tracks and fast snow! 10/10, as good as it gets, I don't have enough superlatives to do it justice. Thanks so much to the groomers that just keep on giving.

(Michael Gotzsche)

What a feast for the last day of grooming at Hyland! Fast snow with heaping helpings of corn and mashed potatoes! We were there around 2pm and it was fun, if a bit mushy. A good season-ender, although that base will probably last a while.

(Alyssa Murphy)

Trail condition rating 7.5/10 at 11:00 am with deductions for soft conditions in sun drenched areas and some leafy debris near chalet.

(Tom Berscheid)

Another great day on the trails early. The skate deck and classic tracks were excellent. By 9:30-10:00, the snow on the hills was getting loose and surgary. A good season. Great grooming. Just wishing for more.

(Mary Hauff)

Amazing conditions for fast skate skiing on the entire snowmaking loop this morning! Even the steep descent from Boulder Ridge was in excellent shape. Fast, but enough loose snow to maintain control, and no mounds or furrows. Snow is still 2-4 feet deep on most of the trail. Classic tracks were also deep and well-defined. It was starting to get a little deeper/sugary on the steeper uphill sections by 11:30, but still very good. Snow was a little gray in the area near the chalet, but everywhere else was pristine. Three Rivers says they're going to groom through Sunday.

Photos:

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)