Trail Detail

Rochester, MN
8K
Skating/Classic
No
No
[ NWS ]
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Notes

A mix of newly constructed trails and existing bike paths located at Essex Park in NW Rochester. The northern trails are mostly wooded with many nice hills while the southern trails run through newly planted prairie. Groomed for both skate and classic by volunteers of the Rochester Active Sport Club.
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Trail Reports

2019-2020 season
Reports 1 to 8 of 8    Month: Apr | Feb | Jan | Nov
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
The North trails were groomed again sometime today and are holding up better than the south trails which have seen a lot of foot traffic. There is some dirt and grass showing in different areas of both sections but it is still easily avoidable. Classic tracks are okay, but not very deep.
Photos:
(Laura Cattaneo)
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, B skis ]
Another great day skiing! I probably didn't need to write another trail report, but thought I'd rub it in for the Twin Cities skiers... In addition to the north field, I discovered that about 2km in the south field are also groomed. The two sections are not connected and the south field is only reachable by crossing a slightly muddy bridge. Classic tracks are set everywhere but are melting faster than the skate deck. Tomorrow might be the last day before the temperatures climb on Thursday. Enjoy!
(Laura Cattaneo)
Monday, April 13, 2020
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Partial, Good skis ]
Amazing April skiing! About 2 km are groomed and holding up well. There is one spot where grass is starting to show but it can be easily avoided. Classic tracks are set but parts of the track are melting or dirty.
Photos:
(Laura Cattaneo)
Friday, February 28, 2020
Afternoon
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Most, Good skis ]
The north and south creek trails are closed as well as the north woods descent trail to the trailhead. Conditions were hard and fast with a few icy spots. Skate decks were leveled with decent edge control. Coverage is complete with no rocks or dirt. Crust skiing is excellent on southern fields. Should be very good with softened conditions.
(Mark Orlowski)
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Morning
Grooming 
[ Trails Open: All, Good skis ]
The skate deck at Essex Park was groomed and smoothed out this morning. Trails should be ball bearing fast for skating! Classic track is too hard and icy to reset.
(Andrew Wood)
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Afternoon
Firsthand: Both 
[ Trails Open: Most, Good skis ]
Very good classic conditions. Deep and firm tracks (mostly). If you plan to classic in the wooded areas, I suggest you wear glasses. There's lot of branches hanging over the tracks, including twigs small enough to not be seen until they rake your face. Skating was poor to very good. Avoid the north trails which somehow had much of the skate deck plowed up. Some sections were unskiable, causing me to have to skate over the classic tracks (sorry!). The rest of the trails were nice with full coverage and decently firm. The south creekside trail is closed due to 2019 flood damage but the north creekside trail now has enough base to cover the rocks.
(Mark Orlowski)
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Morning
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: Most, Good skis ]
Able to skate ski this morning, base is in great shape. The trail was yet to be groomed. Some sections overblown and too much so to use. Difficult to stop and at times glide. Once groomed, should be a great trail. Classic track not well defined.
(Bryant Carlson)
Friday, November 29, 2019
Morning
Firsthand: Freestyle 
[ Trails Open: All, B skis ]
The prairies had great coverage and were very nice. The wooded areas had lots of debris, mostly harmless leaves. There were a few spots were the dirt was starting to show. No classic tracks were set.
(Laura Cattaneo)