Enjoy this expert challenging ski trail before the snow melts for spring. Conditions were icy and fast on some sharp downhills. Even though this trail kicked my butt, I had a blast. I would recommend rock or B skis just to be safe. Attached is a picture of the trail elevation from one full loop around Razorback.

(Scott Cummings)

Skied one full lap on the Razorback Loop on my wooden classic skis, then one full lap on the Razorback on my skate skis. Conditions were pretty good for the classic skis. Very little ice. Very few small bare spots/rocks/debris that were easily avoided. Skate skiing was ok but not as fun because the skate deck was fairly soft and slow over much of its length. Some places were soft enough that poles broke through and dropped a few inches. But very little ice and very few small bare spots. One uphill facing the sun toward the end of the loop had some more exposed dirt and rocks so I took my skis off and walked about 30 feet. Nice to be out at Murphy-Hanrehan given the lack of snow there the last few years.

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

In my opinion some great skiing at Murphy. The snow is sticky for great climbing on waxless and a little slower on the massive downhills which makes them safer. Classic track was good except for a few very obvious places. Skied the outer perimeter.

(Mark Bushinski)

A healthy amount of snow for good skis, trail is in great shape. One South-facing hill on Razorback was getting bare - added some snow there to make it passable. The trail was starting to get some downhill ruts as it hasn't been groomed in a couple days (as of Friday evening). Bring your large baskets as the deck was surprisingly soft from the healthy dump they got earlier in the week. Lastly, be careful on Razorback. Prior snowplowers/ruts have caused a treacherous situation at the steep downhill hairpin on the backside. By the time you see the ill-placed mound at speed your escape options are limited. If it hasn't been re-groomed, I would strongly recommend you scout or avoid by using the available left-hand bypass at that specific spot.

(John Holtan)

Good conditions and coverage throughout Razorback. Started around 1pm, as expected soft in the more exposed areas with powder in the less exposed sections. Nice defined track, with minimal icing, actually there was no big ice patches to speak of anywhere on the trail. Removed a few stones from the trail. Also, there are couple of shovels on Razorback for trail repair. Thanks Three Rivers grooming crew for your hard work at this wonderful park.

(Scott Stanley)

Excellent skiing. Lots of snow. Skied inner loops. Best in years. Grooming great for skating and classic.

(Scott Engstrom)

First spring ski of the year enjoying the trails and sun in a t-shirt! Skate skied the entire trail system around 1pm and the snow was a mix of packed and soft (with a whole bunch of squeak). Full coverage everywhere but I gave it a B ski rating because of one big exposed rock on a climb on Razorback. Easily avoidable but the rock was warming in the sun and starting to melt that area. Hopefully some more skiers hit the trails to help pack it down and the groomers do one more pass to smooth/even out the trails.

(Sam Janicki)

Murphy was fully groomed last night, but was still pretty soft for skating Saturday around noon. Very tranquil with all the new snow. Classic tracks were firm except for any steep, narrow uphills (plenty of those!). Nice to finally get to try Murphy on skis. The outer loop was exhausting without any momentum to take you up the hills. Leave your skate skis at home and go classic for the time being. The downhills were still intense even with the slower snow. The inner blue loop is rated appropriately (fine for intermediates).

(John Holtan)

Skied the entire system at Murphy-Hanrehan on Saturday evening. Definitely get out there before any more melt occurs. The trails are in decent shape - better than I expected. I skated but there were tracks set. There is one segment on Razorback where you have to take off your skis to climb the hill (or maybe you can hop it if you are in better shape and/or more coordinated than I am). Kettle and Knob were definitely in better shape, but you just don't get the same sense of fearing for your life that you get on those outer loops when the trails are a little thin and icy. Worth a try with B skis and a little courage.

(Claire Wilson)

Very great skating. Recently groomed, snow is good except for a few spots on the steep uphill after the wooden bridge. Saw nobody there. Nice on a windy day. Deer and woodpeckers abound.

(Scott Engstrom)