Great day on the trails today. Classic trails only all in great shape. I skied the red/green loop about 4 miles. Snow conditions were perfect.

Photos:

(Rick Schmidt)

Skied the inner and outer loops. The rain for last night made the trails slushy and a little slow. The track is kind of washed out on the outer part of the green loop. There is ice in some places but otherwise it's ok.

(Adam Eiden)

Good snow coverage in all but the westernmost center loop along the airport, where there are a few icy spots with gravel possibly exposed, and the Isaak Walton road is tricky to cross due to banks left by plowing - best skip this side of the loop. Grooming has not been done recently and tracks are often washed out.

(Mindy Borchardt)

Tracks were set before the last little snowfall, and are in good shape except for areas under the pines, where there is still a lot of debris so no-wax skis are best. Big changes to the trail system since the airport fenced its property and new roads had to be constructed to access Isaac Walton and the city wellheads. The skating loops are no more. Parking on 66 is northeast of its former location, not at the old house. There is still parking on the other end at Barbara's Lane/E. Maria Drive so the entire length can still be skied though some loops were lost (also many signs are gone). There are now two roads to cross, with dirt showing -- use caution or take off your skis.

Photos:

(Mindy Borchardt)

Plover River Trails are open and have been groomed. This summer's airport fence project wiped out two classic loops and the entire skating loop, but the system is still intact from Hwy 66 to the south trailhead. I skied the two southernmost classic loops and didn't scrape up against any gravel. Tracks are mostly okay, but showing some wear. There's a lot of windborne oak leaf and pine debris on the trail, though, so leave any skis you care about at home.

Photos:

(Rick Bie)