I wasn't sure it was true but Isabella's northwoods are still an island of the year end snow. We had a great ski today on the east side trails, with a pair of fish scale and a pair of skin waxless skis. About 95% snow coverage, with a few short patches of pine litter to cross. RIver crossings, however, were barriers with flooding at the Little Isabella culverts and bridges. We are done for season, but there may still be a few more days of fun.

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(Ellen Fuge)

It's true, the skiing is still worth it on these trails. I skied the central trail segment (Jensen Trail 10-11-12-13-14-15-17-18). The only bare stretch was at the Little Isabella bridge/crossing. Otherwise there still is a foot of snow. More debris on the trail that the report from May 1 suggested, but most was embedded in snow and didn't slow me down.

(Steve Wilson)

Fun spring skiing still going strong - trail conditions are close to the same as in our April 27th report: firm base, one foot or more in most places, bare patches still less than 1%. The exception is that the bogs in western trails are now too wet to get through. Best skiing is on the eastern trails. Especially good is the Jensen Trail (1-18 to 10). (Where Jensen comes out to hwy 1 south of trail intersection #1, it has melted enough to safely park a car off hwy.).

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(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Weekend outlook: Yes! At least one more week of great spring skiing is still here. The trails are not groomed but the base is firm and you can easily set your own tracks since the snow gives a 1/2" or so. (Base is a minimum of a foot and up to 18", though there are a very few places where you would find bare ground. The snow is wet, crystally, but not overly slushy or soft.). There are some new small down trees or branches here and there, but nothing that can't easily be gone around. Hardly any snow top debris to speak of. All segments should be good with the exception of 18-19 where you'd get your feet wet in the swamp.

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(Mary Lawler Shedd)

Don't put your skis away yet! There is still a solid foot and a half base, with 2' still in the woods. We are not grooming any longer, but the packed trails are flat with an inch of loose snow on top that is good for making your own tracks. Skiing will be best in the morning with the below freezing temps - but the conditions today during above freezing temps were great spring skiing. Very little debris. No icy conditions.

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(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

I never would have predicted that one of the better skis of this season would have been today. The glide was just right on my waxable skis as I went over about 1/2 inch of new fluffy snow. The kick was just as perfect. Still, about 3 feet of snow base before we see the ground.

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(Nancy Schultz)

Expect very good spring skiing conditions this weekend. Though we haven't reset tracks, we have only had about an inch of snow since last time and this helped cover some icy spots. The predicted snow from yesterday's did not materialize and temps are not getting much above 34-35. So, trails should be good with 2' base, very little ice, very little debris, packed enough so they are not sticky. As usual though, some of the tracks on downhills with curves are a little messy and dicey, so consider taking skis off to walk down.

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(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

It was a really fast ski today, with no sticking of snow on the bottom of the skis to keep me from continuing. I had a little inconsistent glide when I went through areas of sun, but I had expected much worse so I was happy to have it as good as it was. The grooming from the other day definitely helped.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

We groomed all trails this afternoon. Base is 27". Ski conditions will depend on the temps now - but we are happy to have at least packed/groomed that 6" we got last week. If you find the right wax, it should be beautiful!

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Well, the ski conditions today were much better than my expectations were anticipating. About 2 inches of heavy snow fell last night and into today covering the tracks. But while not a fast ski, the snow did not stick to my wax-able skies and slid easily through the newly fallen snow. If you pick a not-so-sunny part of the day the stick factor seems to be tolerable. Spring skiing with over 3 feet of base has arrived.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)