The trail from the road, Sunset Trail, west to just beyond the high Cannon River overlook was in poor condition but it was skiable except for two breaks in the snow that I had to walk. Ice in the more sun-exposed areas but reasonably decent, skate-able snow in the well shaded areas next to the bluff. It was around 40 and partly sunny. I used FastWax Yellow LF buffed with fluoro paste. Needed a little variety after 4 days straight at Hyland. My guess paid off and there was skiable snow hugging the bluffs where it was sheltered from the sun. Stretches of ice were sometimes just a narrow strip the width of the snowmobile track but at least 60% was skate-able snow the full width of the trail. Lots of twigs and branches but they were below the surface level of the snow and didn't impede me. Easily hit 6 mph pace on first mile of my downhill return despite stopping to walk across the 2nd break in the snow. A nice 4.5 mile ski on a beautiful day.

(Keith Carlson)

The trail from Welch Station to west about 2.5 miles was in excellent condition. Packed with an intact classic track. It was somewhere between 34 and 38 degrees with light overcast and moderate east wind. I used FastWax Yellow LF. This was just what I needed for my fourth straight day of skiing - a steady, moderately fast (for me) skate on a 2.5 mile trail segment with a very moderate elevation gain over the last 2/3 mile squeezed between a bluff and a sweeping curve in the river channel. Great ski for the 50 minutes I had available.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

Went for a classical ski at about 9am this morning. After lots of melting the day before the classic tracks are very icy, but still have some coverage. There is snow across the entire trail although areas in the sun are icy from refreezing. A few nice areas remain on stretches that receive little sun. Worth going to get in your last fix before spring takes it away? Yes!

(Jean Edstrom)

The segment from the Cannon Falls ball field to the Anderson Wayside was in good to very good condition. Trail had not been groomed or skated on since Sunday night's one inch snowfall. There was firm base underneath that was crusty in the more open areas. The classic track was consistent and on the inside - next to the bluff rising above the trail rather than on the outside next to the bluff falling off into the river like it was the last time I was here. It was around 30 degrees when I started at 4:00 pm, partly sunny with a cold northwest wind. I used FastWax Blue LF. Great follow-up skate to my ski at Carver yesterday after an 18 day layoff for a cold. Was able to maintain a steady, reasonably fast pace despite the inch of loose snow with only a stop at my turnaround at the Anderson Wayside. Only met two classic skiers on the trail.

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(Keith Carlson)

I skied the section from Welsh Village east towards Red Wing until Hwy 61. The groomer had been out and set classic tracks, they were a bit soft yet, and I was the first over them for most of the way. The first mile near Welsh had a lot of sticks and some bare spots down to the asphalt, but beyond that it was really good. It was a beautiful day and a nice ski through the woods.

(Ben Mouw)

Classic track was set today. Skate lane is a bit soft, but should firm up overnight. We are still dealing with low snow conditions.

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(Dan Forsythe)

Conditions were decent for skate skiing on my rock skis. Snow coverage on the trail was okay, although there were spots where the asphalt was showing through and uneven spots up and down the first 2 miles of the trail from the trailhead in CF. Better than expected for the snow we've gotten!

(Anna Schumacher)

Welch to Cannon Falls was groomed this morning. Not enough snow to set a classic track. Conditions are fair to poor. Grooming plans: Red Wing end will be groomed by the weekend. The trumpeter swans are back in large numbers and are hanging around the 4 mile marker.

(Dan Forsythe)

Skied from the Cannon Falls Ball Fields to just short of the Anderson Rest Stop. I think about 7 miles over an hour and 20 minutes. The west-facing uphill grade was in good to fair condition because it had melted down to the pavement in the more sun-exposed spots. The eastern facing downhill grade beyond the driveway was in very good to excellent condition, the only issue being the track getting perilously close to the bluff's drop off into the the river nin spots. I used a wide temperature range- 32 to 40 degrees - Swix Violet Klister. After striding off the clumping loose snow, it worked great on the initial 1 mile uphill grade. However, once I reached the flat leading to the downhill grade, the track washed out for a while and the snow softened and started clumping up on my skis again. It could not be removed by just striding. So after unsuccessfully trying to scrape the skis clean on the wooden fence rails at the high point overlooking over the river, the snow reclumped up immediately on my skis. I had inadvertently removed my scraper from my butt pack before leaving my home so I ended up using my Three Rivers Season Pass to scrape off the snow instead. Thank God it worked. Only problem I ran into on the return is I ran into just a spot of soft snow on the downhill return to the ball field trail head and it took me down.

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(Keith Carlson)

We are groomed and open. A very thin base, won't last long in warmer weather.

Photos:

(Dan Forsythe)