Finally finished clearing downed trees and bent saplings from the "Special K" today, so the 5 1/2K Trail is cleared and has been run 8 times with a sled, to compress the snow and (hopefully) help freeze the ground solid. Many more wet low areas than recent seasons, due to the wet summer/fall, but they are beginning to freeze-up. Tomorrow I will take a groomer around that trail and see how it shapes up. I'll post the results ASAP when I'm done. The 10K has not been cleared yet, but my next priority will be to clear and open the "perimeter sections" of the 10K, to hook them into the 5K/Perimeter Loop. The bright side of this heavy snow event is that we are clearing trees and branches that would otherwise have fallen in December. We have not been checking membership cards so far, but once the trail is groomed, we are a "pay to ski" operation.

(John Graham)

Skied the 5 K loop with backcountry skis this morning. Ungroomed, but it was wonderful. 4-6 inches of snow, with 2 inches new snow from last night, and snow falling. Old 4 wheeler tracks down both sides of the trail,but they were covered with the 2 inches of new snow. Winter wonderland ! Some of the low spots were still wet , but easy to ski around. Looks like it might be possible to roll the trail soon. Wear bright clothing - deer season (didn't see or hear signs of any hunters this morning).

Photos:

(Dave Arvold)

10 AM Saturday. Trails not rolled but a few of us went around the 5 K on classic skis, I had waxless skis, I heard red worked ok for those waxing. Variable snow depth but up to well over a foot in some places, and everything was covered except for wet spots. Quite a few of those, the ground is still warm in some places, but many fewer puddles/ponds than I expected. Mostly walking on skis, some places we could actually stride. But the woods are BEAUTIFUL. The wet snow and wind yesterday coated all the trees, and created a few hanging trees/down trees.

Photos:

(Tim Holst)