Hard-packed and fast Sunday very late afternoon. Similar to Terrace Oaks or the natural trails at Hyland in the evening. No ice anywhere, but they downhills were scary fast. Razorback is definitely experts only. Amazingly, I stayed upright both loops. Rocks visible on usual spot at mile 5.5, but I felt confident enough to switch from rock skis to racing skis for my 2nd loop.

(Andor Langski)

Overall the conditions are surprisingly good. There are some rocks as you climb the hill just after the bridge on Razorback. But if you need to get some hill work in Murphy-Hanrehan is very skiable. Thanks to the groomers!

(Chad Murphy)

Don't let the fair/poor rating by Three Rivers scare you away--the conditions at Murphy are the best they've been in four years. A bit of leaves and a rocky patch on the uphill after the boardwalk on Razorback, but excellent otherwise. Murphy's hills are unbeatable in the metro. Get out there!

(Mitchell Miller)

Use Caution! I have waited quite a few seasons for this much snow at Murphy, and was quite disappointed. It has taken a week to open this, and the grooming is not good. Yet there is more snow there than any park I have seen. Lots of uneven skate deck on both uphills and downhills, and snow is often left in pebble condition. I feel it needs another rilling pass. The downhills on the Razorback Trail are fast and dangerous; the snow is so uneven it is hard to know what you will encounter, and by then it is too late. The steep uphill after the wooden bridge is full of rocks, so I had to take the skis off. Until it is regroomed, I would stay away. (I wish I could get the Woodland Hills groomers down there!).

(Scott Engstrom)

Trails are packed but rutted, icy and bare/rocky in a few spots. Skied the outer 10k loop. Earlier post pretty well sums it up. Bring your rock skis. Hopefully we will get some more snow soon!

(Jason Dreier)

I encountered one hill with exposed rocks otherwise snow coverage was good. It appears the trail was packed just prior to or during the warm up which made the base pretty firm. The trail is very uneven partially due to the ground underneath and partially due to many ruts and edges left by the grooming. It seems like whatever they were pulling around wasn't able to cover up the rut left from the snowmobile ski. Be careful as its easy to get caught in these ruts.

Photos:

(Charles Wolf)

Snowshoed horse trail at Murphy late morning and went to a section of Razorback to check conditions. Packed from prior to yesterday's thaw. Deep grooves throughout and some very rough and rutted sections. Saw one skater track. Doubtful they will be able to groom it into shape, at least the section that I observed (14-15). Travel at your own risk. Snowshoeing was fine.

(Dave Gardner)

Trails closed this morning. Ran into a park employee and they commented they are still looking to open them later today.

(Jason Dreier)

Three Rivers trail conditions for Murphy hadn't been updated recently. So I went out there with my fingers crossed. No luck. Trail was rolled, but not tracked at all, and not rolled full-width in some places. I skied just enough for the pictures. It was slow. On my way out, I saw a Park employee yelling and gesticulating at another skier for violating the closed trail. It might be good enough for A skis, but Murphy has so many rocks and gravel I didn't risk it, and there were a couple of places with dirt and leaves mixed into the snow. When I returned home, I saw they updated the trail to Saturday opening. I'll hopefully return then for the Double Black Diamonds.

Photos:

(Andor Langski)

Three Rivers website was updated this afternoon and indicates these trails will open on Saturday. Expert skiers go and enjoy it this weekend!

(Linda Evert)