Good to very good conditions with about 2 inches of new snow on Tuesday night. I pulled leveler and then cut and tracked so should be far less bumpy and have ample room for pole plant. Cold conditions predicted so tracks should hold up well.

(Dan Jacoby, Wisconsin DNR)

Cut and tracked all this morning. Needed to cut out shiny ice bottom to track after 40 plus degrees yesterday. Tracks held up well, but now have most ice cut out and tracks are in good condition.

(Dan Jacoby)

Ten inches of new snow yesterday and last night. Packed, cut and tracked all. Good conditions and very good on the horizon, once I am able to level all loops. Tracks may be soft as could the pole plant, but those will improve with use.

(Dan Jacoby)

Cut and tracked with the result being good conditions. One foot of snow in the woods and 20-30's degrees for weather. All loops ready for use.

(Dan Jacoby, Wisconsin DNR)

Good conditions. I was able to cut with knives and mix old and new snow for a less bumpy trail. Very scenic following rain then snow. 12 inches of snow in the woods with some light snow falling now so conditions should move to very good soon.

(Dan Jacoby, Wisconsin DNR)

There has been recent logging starting just beyond the parking lot up to where the blue and green trails depart the red trail. There was no recent logging beyond that point. This trail always delivers on excitement. There are lots of ups and downs. Trail conditions were good overall. Temperature at the start was around 27 which was much warmer that's a few days earlier. If you like exciting classical skiing, this is the trail for you. At 14k for the red loop, this is a nice long loop.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)

Fair to good conditions resulted with the majority of miles in good condition. There is 9-11 inches of snow in the woods so our base is still thin but tracks turned out good as can be considering conditions. Cold has resulted in little use so should be a peaceful ski on decent tracks. Still a bit bumpy as the trail follows the woods floor. Very scenic with the light dry snowfalls resting on balsam boughs.

(Dan Jacoby)

Good to fair conditions with about 10 inches of snow in the woods. Put down really nice track in flat open areas but still bumpy and less snow in the conifer areas. I have not had enough snow to pull a leveling drag but set a base with just snowmobile and tracked over that base with some success. Had to kick snow over ground in only two spots while grooming. Fresh 2.5 inches of snow and very scenic. Was able to track all except a ridge near Escanaba lake Outlet on red loop where snow was still too thin.

(Dan Jacoby, Wisconsin DNR)

This trail seldom closes so Escanaba be open for hiking until we set track. Monday December 11 most of trail was cleared of trees and branches. I should be able to clear the remainder, which is the loop around Pallette Lake before the end of this week. There is approximately 4-6 inches of snow in the woods and running the trail with a snowmobile while clearing will begin to pack a thin base. Due to the rocks and roots of the natural forest floor this trail will require several more significant snow events to have tracks set.
Expect to see some visual changes due to logging. Starting at the trailhead, there has been some cutting with some areas now fairly open. This is due to aspen management practice. There was some oak and hardwood thinning. There will be a different look but in my opinion the aspen was large, mature and falling onto the trail in many areas. I have had to cut many of these off the trail. I am confident the area will regenerate with a healthy forest, comprised of mostly the same tree species, although much younger trees. The area managed was approximately out to the first intersection of the short and longer loops.

(Dan Jacoby, Wisconsin DNR)