Today we finished up the rest of the Birkie Trail after the most recent snowfall. We groomed and tracked the Birkie Classic trail from OO to the American Birkebeiner trailhead. The entire trail is ready for some great weekend skiing. Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Tuesday night we groomed and tracked from OO south to Hatchery Creek. It should set up very nice for Wednesday skiing! Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

I skied the lighted loops at Hatchery Creek Wednesday night around 8:30 and they were fantastic. Newly groomed and it was down to about 8 degrees, so they firmed up nicely. The tracks are the best you could ever want.

Photos:

(Ben Welnak)

As planned, this morning we groomed and tracked the Birkie Skate trail from the American Birkebeiner TH to OO (including Birkie Ridge) and the loops at OO. Tomorrow we will head south from OO, grooming and tracking. Conditions at OO and north of OO are great! Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Noticeably harder packed than even yesterday. The combination of warm weather and heavy traffic is taking it's toll. Still a fine day on a firm, flat surface.

(Andy Schwartz)

Thanks to the entire Birkie crew for running an awesome CXC/JNQ/CCSA race yesterday at the Birkie Trail Head. Trail was in outstanding condition and it was such a neat festive atmosphere with about 500 skiers. A little after 3 I took off from the Birkie start and skated down to Hatchery Creek. Trail was pretty fast so I had a blast. The trail get more hardpacked the further south you go. Nice sunset and then skiing in the dark with headlamp adds to the thrill:).

Photos:

(Kevin Ousdigian)

This morning I skied the whole trail from the start area to the Hatchery Park water stop. In general, conditions are excellent. The skate deck is firmer/harder nearer the major trail heads and better (IMHO) nearer the more remote trail heads. Tracks are a little thinner south of OO but still full depth and very well formed. One thin south facing hill just prior to the entrance to Fish Hatchery which was obvious and easily skied around. Starting to see a little tree litter accumulate in areas with overhanging trees. After consecutive weeks of minus temps the ground is still super cold so I didn't see any active melting even though it was 37 degrees when I stepped off the course.

(Andy Schwartz)

The Birkie trail is like an 11 out of 10 right now! Deep tracks that are fast and a firm - flat - fast skate lane. Bonus, it was 25 degrees this evening. Seriously fantastic skiing!

Photos:

(Jeff Tumbleson)

Last night and this morning we groomed the skate deck and set classic track from OO to the American Birkebeiner TH (start area) on the Birkie Skate trail (including the Birkie Ridge trail connector). After the recent snow, much of the trail is groomed and tracked again. The trail keeps improving with every new snowfall!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Skied from Duffy Rd (edge of lake Hayward) to Mosquito Brook. Fresh snow, Fred grooming! Temps in the teens so the snow seemed fast! Trail in great condition. Base still not super thick, but flat and nice currently.

Photos:

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)