The segment from Menomonie to Irvington was in fair condition for skating and very good condition for classic. The skate deck was bumpy from foot traffic and soft enough for pole baskets (but not skis) to break through. Found when I rested and did some diagonal stride that my skate skis kicked and glided great in the track - even without poling. Got a little thin by the track in just one spot and there were just a few spots of ice. I guessed it was around 34 degrees. I used FastWax Yellow LF, The skiing gods were smiling on me. Took a chance that Red Cedar would be skiable despite DNR report that they had stopped grooming and the Cities had gotten a couple inches of snow after the rain. Got there and found at best the trail might have received a dusting after not too much rain that would have sodden the trail. Conditions weren't great but okay if you didn't mind the effort and slower snow. I didn't and got rewarded with views of the picturesque ice ribbon.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

Icy-fast classic track made for great skin/waxless skiing. Surprisingly little debris. Skate deck looked OK; I tried 1 km south of Irvington and that was soft, so skating might be a harder workout. Good March conditions!

(Barb Flom)

The trail was rolled and then groomed this morning. Set two tracks from Menomonie to Irvington and one track Irvington to Downsville with a wider skate lane. It looked nice and hopefully will ski nice once it sets up a bit.

(Bill Kryshak)

Approximately 4 inches of snow on the trail. Trail is getting a bit icy after a brief warming spell. The trail is kept well-tracked by the trail Friends Group. However, the biggest current problem is the tree branches and sticks that litter the trail from Friday's very high winds (too many dying Ash trees from the Ash Borer disease line the trail). When skiing the trail today between Irvington and Downsville (both directions) I did my best to clear the tracks of all wood debris. The skating portion of the trail is still well-littered with debris however.

(Jeff Pitman)

Amazing conditions on the Red Cedar Trail this morning. Classic track was free of debris and very fast considering single digit temp. Skating deck had not been used since yesterday's grooming, at least south of Irvington, but it looked good. This was a phenomenal venue for the Virtual Vasaloppet 24K Classic after my last-minute switch from the in-person race. Many thanks to groomers and Mother Nature for the wonderful snow, the wax wizards at Spring Street Sports for fantastic cold-weather glide, and Mora Vasaloppet USA for flexibility with virtual events this year.

(Barb Flom)

Groomed and tracked Red Cedar from Menomonie to Downsville. An inch or so of heavy new snow has helped. Only one set track from Irvington to Downsville allows for a wider skate lane. Conditions are good.

(David Gorman)

The Red Cedar State Trail was groomed and tracked from Menomonie to Downsville. There are a few inches of new snow and conditions are very good. The trail is in great shape for the Candle Light Ski this Friday evening, January 28.

(David Gorman)

The Red Cedar State Trail was tracked for classic and groomed for skating from Menomonie to Downsville. There is an inch or two of new snow. Conditions are very good, steam is coming off the river and there is frost in the trees.

Photos:

(David Gorman)

Skated Irvington to Downsville and the deck is holding up great with all the low temps we've had. Classic track looked to be in good shape too.

(Ben Larson)

Great coverage on the trail this morning. Just finished up as the groomers were heading out. Skate deck and classic tracks looking great!

(Ben Larson)