The trail was re-groomed and in excellent shape. Even with the cold temps, glide was good. Skate deck looked like perfection. Tracks were deep and firm. I ran into at least five skiers enjoying the last hour of sunlight. With the groomer troubles I came expecting the worst, but this was some of the best skiing I've had on the Red Cedar this year.

(Barb Flom)

Red Cedar is tracked and groomed with two classic tracks from Menomonie to Irvington and one track with a wider skate lane from Irvington to Downsville. Thanks go to DNR for bringing equipment over from Lake Wissota and for doing the grooming on Thursday. Some leaves but overall very good.

(Bill Kryshak)

The Red Cedar State Trail has not been groomed after the Sunday snow as our snowmobile is being repaired. We hope to get out as soon as it is repaired.

(Bill Kryshak)

I chose the set of skin skis that I consider to be a good / possible B set. I went downstream at Menomonie. Classic track on the river side is a rock solid ride on highly transformed snow with a little shine here and there. It skis like snow. Skiing in the other track, the skis made the ice sound, so I quit that. Back in the river side track, it was very fast without much effort in a somewhat closed stride. I turned upstream somewhere south of Irvington. The track south of Irvington was excellent in the shaded and open area. Box Elder seeds were a ski grab if there was striding over those. It was less grabby by double poling. Going back north I was able to open up to a full stride and make faster time. Overall, it was a 10k or so.

(Jeff Bolte)

The trail was groomed for skating and one classic track set from Menomonie to Irvington. The skate lane was groomed for about two miles south of Irvington when mechanical problems prevented further grooming, including the usual return trip to complete the entire width of the trail. The classic track from Irvington to Downsville was not reset, but appears to be in good condition.

(David Gorman)

The Red Cedar trail was groomed this morning from Menomonie to Downsville. Two sets of classic tracks were set from Menomonie to Irvington. The skate deck is in good condition.
Note: The candlelight ski is tonight from 6:00 to 9:00. A snowshoe trail was rolled this morning from the start of the trail through the adjacent Riverside Park. A candlelit walking trail is across the road and north of the depot.

(David Gorman)

Rough skating in both directions from Irvington. Skate tracks from soft snow are frozen, so it takes extra effort to stay in line. A good groom on the skate deck is needed. Classic track looks great!

(Catherine Olson)

It was 16k of scrunch on new track north from Downsville to Irvington and back. A right side pole fail in deep snow northbound led to a tip over. Half a k later, where's my phone? Back to the crash site and no phone, so it probably did not come along. Glide varied in the track. The skins were a good choice at 31 degrees. Even on the trip back south, the evil scrunch robbed my forward energy. That included the back track section for the phone search. With a colder low temperatures, that section of the trail from Downsville to Irvington should ski pretty good in track. The phone was in the car, order is restored. Do not ski under the bridge at Downsville. Walk.

(Jeff Bolte)

The Red Cedar Trail was groomed and classic tracks set from Menomonie to Downsville. About four inches of new snow and warm temperatures have resulted in a soft skating deck. The classic track is very good. The Candlelight ski on January 31 should have plenty of snow and good conditions.

Photos:

(David Gorman)

The Red Cedar Trail was rolled yesterday and groomed today from Menomonie to Downsville. Two sets of classic tracks were set from Menomonie to Irvington, and one set of classic tracks from Irvington to Downsville. The skate lane was groomed. The Red Cedar River and ice wall are in beautiful midwinter form.

(David Gorman)