Put a lot of hours in this week with our new John Deere 835 Gator. Most of the loops have been packed. Finished up quite a bit of brushing I couldn't get finished earlier this fall. Packed trails are skiable but some stretches have significant mowing stubble sticking through. Because spring mudders with oversize tires and high-powered 4-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs like to make deep ruts on some of our trails while the frost is still coming out of the ground, I cannot set the mower depth as low as I would like for fall mowing, so, in places we'll have to live with stubble until we get another 4-6 inches of snow. For now, bring rock skis and perhaps lower your expectations.

(Will Maines)