I skied out of the north trailhead and found well formed and rocket fast tracks with temps in the twenties. The trails to the west were very clean. The tracks to the south had periodic tree debris and are much more challenging to ski when refrozen.

Photos:

(Jeff Pesta)

Groomed and track set North Suomi Trails this morning. Even with very little snow on the trails the track set went quite well. Please enjoy!

Photos:

(Dale Juntunen)

I enjoyed the freshly groomed single track out of the North Suomi trailhead! I figured the trail would offer some protection from the wind and it did. All the new tracks were excellent with the exception of the first loop north out of the parking lot. There was a little stubble, which could be avoided by lifting up one ski at a time. The only bad spot was down one of the first hills where the stubble was thick and made it difficult to moderate speed. The little trees actually popped open my binding latch and I got to practice my one ski hop. The first photo shows the hill. You could walk down it or just approach very slowly to avoid getting tangled up in it. Everything else was smooth sailing from there.

Photos:

(Jeff Pesta)

Groomed north Suomi today. Just enough new snow for a good track set. All groomed except going south to the Orange Lake road out of the north parking lot. Cold day, but enjoyed watching some deer laying on a south slope hill side sunning themselves.

(Dale Juntunen)

Reset the track on south Suomi trails this morning. Two inches of snow to freshen things up.

(Randy Zupan)

Groomed and track set North Suomi trails this morning. Surprisingly turned out quite well with the lack of snow we have had. Track set looked pretty good. The deer have ripped up a pretty good area digging for acorns on the Balloon Lake loop, so watch that area where the steeper hills are. While out there watch across the deep ravines and lakes and you will most likely see deer on the other side. I watched deer in two areas.

Photos:

(Dale Juntunen)

Snowshoed into Suomi Hills North this afternoon. 1-2 inches of powder on a 4 inch base of corn snow. Trail hasn't been groomed for skiing for a few weeks but the south trail had some fresh user made tracks. Suomi Hills South also has not been groomed recently and no user tracks seen.

Photos:

(Hans Erdman, Backcountry Trail Patrol)

Groomed Amen Lake and Suomi trails. Still some rough spots, but overall quite skiable. The deer are having their way out there, especially under the oaks.

(Randy Zupan)

Skied Amen and south Suomi. About a half inch of new snow in the tracks that were set last week. Used my old fishscale skis. Some small rocks and sticks, but no noticeable damage to my skis.

(Randy Zupan)